Person of Merit: Quintus Andradi
When we think of veterans, we usually get images of men and women in uniforms while actively serving in the armed forces. However, do we wonder what becomes of their lives after termination of service? This phase of their lives is often overlooked as it stays in the dark.
As we move forward in our quest to shed light on the hidden gems of goodness in this world, Gamma Alpha Draconis proudly presents to you our second Person of Merit, whom we unanimously believe to be worthy of our endorsement. Quintus Andradi is a hardworking and humble man who takes part in a noble endeavor aiming to provide welcoming and comfortable homes for the veterans of Sri Lanka.
Quintus Andradi is Secretary to the Veterans Home Committee and the Lands and Housing Committee at Sri Lanka Ex Servicemen's Association (SLESA). He has been tirelessly seeking support from government and private sector institutions to collect the needed resources for the construction of appropriate housing for Sri Lankan veterans.
The first home of SLESA was opened in 1987 to provide residence for veterans of World War II and post-war ex-servicemen. The house itself was an offering from a generous late Sri Lankan who had been residing in the United Kingdom. Since then onward, various associations and well-wishers have been providing financial support to expand the residential capacity of the house and provide it with vital services like a daily supply of multiple meals, medical care and transportation vehicles.
The heroes who committed their youth to protect their land and its people are worthy of more than a few nods of respect and words of appreciation. They have been warriors in the streets and fields of battle, but their fights did not cease with war. Many elderly veterans struggle with homelessness, financial and health incapability, and psychological traumas. They need their people to stand by them and preserve the honor and respect they had gained throughout their years of service. The torch of warriors will always burn; it is light to carry through youth, but gets heavier with old age. It is up to nations to recognize their elderly warriors, take the torches out of their hands and hang them at the entrances of thankful homes.
Quintus has been too modest to speak of himself. Instead, he spoke of several ongoing projects that require all the support the association can get from interested organizations and well-wishers.
In his own words, he wrote:
“Lt.Cdr.(Rtd) Marty Somasundaram, a resident of Australia, has been there for us very much. In fact, he is just starting a project in the war torn North of our country to build four dormitories for elderly citizens, both male and female, to be run by the Apostolic Carmel Nuns. He has asked me to do the project for him and we are awaiting the permission of the Mother General of their Order in India, and also the Bishop of Jaffna (the Diocese where it would be done).
We hope to have many ongoing projects:
(1) An Elders Home in a place called Kalpitiya on a two-acres land and a rehabilitation center as well for the less able personnel after the war
(2) Construction of buildings for an Elders Home for Women on a block of land we purchased lately
(3) Rebuild a house that was donated in Kandy, in the central part of our country, by a Commander presently serving in the Navy.
I would like to send globally that anyone or organization that would be there for us will be blessed abundantly. Any help in the smallest way will be very much appreciated; if they can be personally involved it will be still better.”
SLESA dreams of establishing a home for veterans in every major city in Sri Lanka. In fact, it was able to open its second home for veterans in February 2017 after a tremendously generous donation by a Commander of the Naval Camp in Bossa, a city in the south of Sri Lanka. This house and property was presented to him a while ago by his aunt and uncle. However, and regardless of having children of his own, he selflessly donated the house for the better service of those who had served the country before him.
We believe in Quintus, in SLESA and in their dream. We stand by them and the many forgotten veterans, and we wish to extend their efforts to seek those who are willing to participate in the creation of a safe haven for the honorable warriors of an overlooked country. Let us not be bound by the size of the gesture, but by the size of the heart that holds it. Let us spread the word for this cause and invite the world to acts of kindness.
Contact Details:
President K. Gnanaweera: presidentslesa@gmail.com
Mobile Number: +94 777 760179
Address:
Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen's Association 29/1/1, Bristol Street Colombo 01
Phone Number: 0112445682
Fax Number: 0112472891
If you are someone doing good in the world, Eltanin Thuban Draconis is here to vouch for your merit. Contact us directly if you feel like your work needs to see the light of day. Our persons of merit are decided by a unanimous vote, every member must agree to it and every member must support it indefinitely.
As we move forward in our quest to shed light on the hidden gems of goodness in this world, Gamma Alpha Draconis proudly presents to you our second Person of Merit, whom we unanimously believe to be worthy of our endorsement. Quintus Andradi is a hardworking and humble man who takes part in a noble endeavor aiming to provide welcoming and comfortable homes for the veterans of Sri Lanka.
Quintus Andradi is Secretary to the Veterans Home Committee and the Lands and Housing Committee at Sri Lanka Ex Servicemen's Association (SLESA). He has been tirelessly seeking support from government and private sector institutions to collect the needed resources for the construction of appropriate housing for Sri Lankan veterans.
The first home of SLESA was opened in 1987 to provide residence for veterans of World War II and post-war ex-servicemen. The house itself was an offering from a generous late Sri Lankan who had been residing in the United Kingdom. Since then onward, various associations and well-wishers have been providing financial support to expand the residential capacity of the house and provide it with vital services like a daily supply of multiple meals, medical care and transportation vehicles.
The heroes who committed their youth to protect their land and its people are worthy of more than a few nods of respect and words of appreciation. They have been warriors in the streets and fields of battle, but their fights did not cease with war. Many elderly veterans struggle with homelessness, financial and health incapability, and psychological traumas. They need their people to stand by them and preserve the honor and respect they had gained throughout their years of service. The torch of warriors will always burn; it is light to carry through youth, but gets heavier with old age. It is up to nations to recognize their elderly warriors, take the torches out of their hands and hang them at the entrances of thankful homes.
Quintus has been too modest to speak of himself. Instead, he spoke of several ongoing projects that require all the support the association can get from interested organizations and well-wishers.
In his own words, he wrote:
“Lt.Cdr.(Rtd) Marty Somasundaram, a resident of Australia, has been there for us very much. In fact, he is just starting a project in the war torn North of our country to build four dormitories for elderly citizens, both male and female, to be run by the Apostolic Carmel Nuns. He has asked me to do the project for him and we are awaiting the permission of the Mother General of their Order in India, and also the Bishop of Jaffna (the Diocese where it would be done).
We hope to have many ongoing projects:
(1) An Elders Home in a place called Kalpitiya on a two-acres land and a rehabilitation center as well for the less able personnel after the war
(2) Construction of buildings for an Elders Home for Women on a block of land we purchased lately
(3) Rebuild a house that was donated in Kandy, in the central part of our country, by a Commander presently serving in the Navy.
I would like to send globally that anyone or organization that would be there for us will be blessed abundantly. Any help in the smallest way will be very much appreciated; if they can be personally involved it will be still better.”
SLESA dreams of establishing a home for veterans in every major city in Sri Lanka. In fact, it was able to open its second home for veterans in February 2017 after a tremendously generous donation by a Commander of the Naval Camp in Bossa, a city in the south of Sri Lanka. This house and property was presented to him a while ago by his aunt and uncle. However, and regardless of having children of his own, he selflessly donated the house for the better service of those who had served the country before him.
President K. Gnanaweera: presidentslesa@gmail.com
Mobile Number: +94 777 760179
Address:
Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen's Association 29/1/1, Bristol Street Colombo 01
Phone Number: 0112445682
Fax Number: 0112472891
If you are someone doing good in the world, Eltanin Thuban Draconis is here to vouch for your merit. Contact us directly if you feel like your work needs to see the light of day. Our persons of merit are decided by a unanimous vote, every member must agree to it and every member must support it indefinitely.
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