State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene said that the government was introducing a privilege card to soldiers from January 25.

He commented this today at a ceremony of introducing privilege card facility to war heroes, and family members of soldiers who died in the civil war, held at the Ministry of Defence.

“Our country is enjoying freedom because of war heroes who sacrificed their lives at war. Our duty is to provide with them some relief. Therefore, we have introduced a privilege card. We had been able to provide war heroes with educational and financial benefits”, said the Minister.

45 commercial institutions, state and private banks, and hospitals are to grant benefits and discounts for the privilege card holders at the first phase of the programme.

The privilege card will be launched on 25th January with the participation of the President Maithripala Sirisena, and the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.