Many Happy Returns of the Day

I very rarely take leave. And I was on one of these ‘rare leave’ on 25th of September. Still I was required at my office and I obliged the demand. It was around 10.30 a.m when my official mobile buzzed. Calling number was not familiar but it was not difficult to recognize the voice of the caller. “Putha, aunty has been hospitalized’ due to a mild stroke’. That was enough for me and I rushed to the Asiri Surgical where Princy aunty was warded. The moment she saw me, she started to cry holding tightly my hand. She was pale and weak. This is a lady whom I consider as one of my own mom. This was a woman of immense courage and equal determination who bore 03 brave sons all of whom were products of Manstella College Negambo. All excelled both in academic and sports even representing Sri Lanka in Hockey and Football. This was a lady who gave without any fear or reservation, two of his elder sons to the ‘golden fence around’; Sri Lanka Navy at a time when mother Lanka needed young ones with gut, resolve and determination to fight blood thirsty separatists in the North.

The Duo, Chandima and Nishantha both joined the Navy as officer cadets with the whole hearted blessings and moral support of their mom, lady who is recovering from a mild stroke at Asiri Surgical. This was a mom who lost both of her sons, brave Lieutenant Commanders, who made supreme sacrifice in the noble duty of safeguarding mother Lanka. We officers of 16th intake that includes Chandima (elder) have been closely associating Princy Aunt ever since we joined the Navy 23 years ago. She is undoubtedly the ‘mom of our batch’. Doors of her simple abode at Negambo were wide open to all of our batch mates and our families. She has a brig heart to accommodate all of us even after Chandima’s departure in 1993 and she received all of us with much love, care and affection. She was an expert cook. Her culinary skills were simply unmatched by any. Her place was undoubtedly the most visited one of our batch. She made it a point to fill stomach of each of us as sometimes whole 16th intake family would go there especially after August 08th Preethipura dana, with delicious dishes she herself prepares. An assortment of sea foods, fresh from ‘Meegamu Wella’ was a sure thing. As soldiers march on its belly and sailors sails on it, we the willing never failed to empty all those dishes specially prepared for us by the loving mom of our batch. She would very affectionately watch some of our greedy one’s lick their fingers including this poor soul, after a mouthful of sea food. This rare gem of mother needed our love and caring more than any other time now. I knew next day was her birthday. And I was going to give something special to her.

Once I got out of the hospital room, first thing I did was to contact all of my batch mates who are working in Colombo area. There are 12 of them presently in Colombo. I told them of aunt’s condition and what I had in my mind. We all were going to surprise her with an unannounced birthday party at her hospital room. Within 30 minutes, I got the message across to all my Colombo batch mates and all of them were requested to be present at Asiri Surgical by 6 p.m next day.

Newly promoted Captain Thilak Sigera is famous for selecting fine birthday cakes. On his birthdays he would invite all available ones in area to his office to cut a fine birthday cake and make a small celebration. So I naturally turned to Thilak do the honours by bringing a cake for next day’s function. Cake itself was not enough. We needed a card and candles. That is how anybody celebrates a birthday. I didn’t want any deviation from those standard practices; at least in this birthday party intended to be given to a very special one. There were not many contenders for that task either. I selected Sunanda, my cadet time room mate to bring an appropriate card and candles. He needs not be explained of this aspect. He knew what to do. My only concern was, whether he would arrive on time to celebrate the birthday. Sunanda again has a name for coming to batch parties with his family closer to midnight when all the others are preparing to leave.

By 6 p.m next day, only 03 people have been turned up, Kamal and loving wife Mali amongst them. When I entered the room, aunt greeted me with ‘Oh mage putha awa’. She was in little uncomfort and continued converse with me despite that. Even by 6.15 p.m, there were no signs of anybody other than present are coming. Aunt slowly fell in to a sleep. My friends started to trickle in one by one. Dasa with his whole family, rarely seen Suresh now in General Sarath Fonseka’s staff, Anura with a bold head, made their way in to the room. Then came in with a colourful cake in his hand, Captain brand new, Thilak Sigera dressed in a crisp white T Shirt and a baggy trouser. Prasanna who also celebrates his birthday today came in with a sack of drink packets in his hand.

I hurriedly unpacked the cake and made arrangements for the celebration. At around 6.30 p.m, Princy aunt opened her eyes to see a sea of her loved ones from her elder son late Lieutenant Commander Chandima Wijayapura’s batch around. She couldn’t believe it. A colourful birthday cake was laid on a nearby table and couple of greeting cards decorated it. She was speechless. Everybody started to hug birthday girl wishing her ‘Many happy returns of the day.’ Our two unsung heroes; Chandima and Nishantha would have been elated and much contended had they been alive to see the treat we planned to give their ‘Most loved Mom’ on her birthday. All were set except birthday candles and ‘always late Sunanda’. True to his tradition, he arrived at last, around 6.45 p.m with a very colourful birthday card and candles in his hand. As usual he grinned at all of us as if to say, ‘you all are too early’ and hugged Prince Aunt gently on her forehead.

Now everything was set for the grand occasion. Believe me, 10 out of 12 batch mates turned up for this occasion, some with their family members, at such a short notice. Other two were unable to make it due important operational commitments. At around 6.50 Prince Aunt cut the birthday cake when others sang ‘happy birthday to you dear aunt’. Wijayapura uncle watched this totally unexpected and unexplained drama from a corner of the room. That was the first time in her life she had cut a birthday cake in a hospital room and she wouldn’t have ever expected to do so. But it so happened. When the cake was cut, all of us broke in to a loud applause. Sunanda was busy capturing different aspects of this drama unfolding at a hospital room. Aunt first gave a bite of the cake to uncle and the whole group again exploded in unison. Uncle reciprocated in equal measure. After that, all of us took a turn to taste a mouthful of cake from her hand. Believe me that was the most delicious piece of cake I have ever enjoyed in my whole life. We were there with her at this unorthodox birthday party till 8 p.m before saying goodbye to this wonderful lady. No one forgot to give a warm hug to aunt and uncle before we left. I saw tears welling in her eyes when I made my gesture to depart after giving her a warm hug. Anybody would have noticed the same on me. I had a feeling of great satisfaction and elated kind of a feeling after all as it was my innocent idea which was materialized in this fashion. Trust me, that was the most wonderful birthday party I ever had in my life.

Departure of a comrade

Commander Janaka Sylvester Ruwanpathirana retired from the navy after serving 22 years. We, officers of the 16th intake of the navy held a farewell party at western naval area wardroom to bid farewell to Janaka. His beloved wife Dishanthi and two daughters also attended the party. Our training officer, now the navy’s No two, Rear Adimiral Thisara Samarasinghe and his fair lady also were present for this occasion. It’s a sheer coincidence that Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe's elevation to the navy’s chief of staff and JSR’s farewell fell on the same day. It was jubilation over ones achievement who was a part of our navy life and a sad moment for one’s departure from us as he was an active member of 16th intake. The story of 16th intake began 23 long years ago when civilian clad youth just out of school joined this wonderful outfit of ‘officers and gentlemen’ when the gangway was lowered.

There were initially 29 officer cadets altogether who came from different walks of life. Most of the guys were Colombo schooled. Navy’s present media spokesman, Captain DKP Dassanayake came from the farthest corner of Trincomalee. Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, a no-nonsense officer, now the Navy’s number two was our training officer. I really don’t know Admiral Sam has anything to do with it being an ardent ‘Royalist’, but my batch (16th intake) was comprised of 07 Royalists. At the out set, we were kind of ‘misfits’ who happened to fit together. This ‘fitting together’ didn’t happen automatically. Lot of hard work, energy, commitment have gone in to this. Admiral Sam,our ‘Sea dad’ showed the direction and provided ample guidance. In fact it was mainly due to Admiral Sam’s efforts that were untiring and commitments of my comrades that were unwavering and steadfast, this ‘fitting together’ in to a bloody useful bunch was possible.

The whole of 16th intake family sans Athula and Kutta turned up for this bidding farewell, a sad departure. As i mentioned, the notable presence was that of our training officer 22 long years before, Rear Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe. Another conspicuous attendee was Kapila Goonathilake, a 16th intake gem who was compelled to leave us during our cadet time itself due to medical grounds. Kapila, now the Deputy General Manager of Hero Honda, makes it a habit to attend all our functions and Janaka’s farewell he never wanted to miss.

We, 16th intake officers in the Navy, are what we are today because of this finest blend of Admiral Sam’s guidance and our unwavering commitments. Today, after 23 years from our beginning, most of my comrades are holding very high positions in the Navy. We have couple of directors and deputy directors at such a young age. Navy’s media department is in the safe hands of our Dasa. Navy's innovative combat thinking of forming up of a ‘small boat operation units' gave us tremendous results in the war against LTTE Sea tigers. This ‘Rapid Action Boat Squadron’ is again led by Dasa. Navy has think it fit to entrust its ‘Sports’ aspects to agile and fine cricketer of Nalanda yesteryear; Dammika, my batch mate. All the important, Navy’s armament department is run by our tough cookie Kalana, a product of INS Dronacharya (Asia’s biggest missile and Gunnery school) and an ardent Royalist after JRJ and Admiral Sam. Navy’s ‘Departmental Tender Board’, an all important function, is in the very safe hands of Thilak. Prasanna, an electrical officer has been tasked with Research and Development, hither to an appointment exclusively reserved for X types. Kutta is in command of an offshore patrol vessle for the last two and half years rendering a yeoman service. This poor soul has been tasked to look after 'Disclipline' of the whole navy whose total cadre nears 50,000 mark. That again is a gigantic task. Thus, we 16th intake guys make our presence felt in all important ares in the navy. Like Admiral Sam, we also have created ‘many firsts’ in the annals of short history of Sri Lanka Navy.

Janaka was called by different names. He was Ruwan to some, Janaka to more close ones, JSR to some others. But unmistakable name for him by my batch make is Saja, means sergeant. Sergeant JS Ruwanpathirana was a fine footballer in his alma mater at De Mazenod Collage, Kandana. Later he captained Sri Lanka school football team. Janaka was very hardworking in any damn thing he did. He always needed excellent standard in all his dealings. He was always spic and span and ship shaped. He never tolerated ‘half cock’ stuff. His cabin he shared with Nana during our cadet years was neat and tidy. He was very methodical. He marked his cloth hangers according to the uniform type. We in the Navy have a dozen kinds of uniforms. JSR never put a pair of No 05s that is crisp white in to a cloth hanger which was marked No 06 which is navy blue. He was equally good at other tricks that is common to any ‘cadet entry’ types in the Navy. We jumped ship together , robbed victuals from the galley, stole uniforms from sailors , cheated our 'master at arms' when we did our cadet sea training, plucked Kurumba from Navy house without authority, para jumped to wardroom at midnight in search of 'precious stuff', to name a few.

As we progressed putting one, two stripes on our shoulder, JSR gradually turned out to be an excellent officer. He was tough. He was firm in his acts. He always pulled up people the moment he noticed some thing wrong with them. He corrected many faults in the Navy system. He was always accountable for his actions and made sure transparency in all his dealings. Not only that, he demanded same from others; be they juniors, pears or superiors. Because of this, not all were very fond of Janaka.

Janaka had his more than fair share of operational time at sea. He commanded Fast Gun Boats, Dvoras (Fast Attack Craft) among many other. Sea was like second home to JSR. He loved sea. He always ensured that all machineries on board ships he commanded were in running condition. His crew was always worked up to meet any contingency at sea. On board ship, Saja demanded excellent standard from all. And story below bears testimony in ample terms.

In 1994, I commanded P 455; an Israel built Fast Attack Craft (Dvora) and Janka was in command of P 457. One day, we both were on night patrol in the Delft channel. Around 8 pm, we observed on our radars, two LTTE boats coming out from Delft Island. Delft was controlled by LTTE during that time. These two sea tiger boats were presumably proceeding to Pooneryn area. We both planned to engage enemy boats in the middle of channel. Both Dvoras were brought in to ‘action station’ and we both engaged the sea tiger boats with maximum fire power. On being attacked, 02 sea tiger boats altered course and dashed towards Punkuduthivu Island compelling us to give a chase. Janaka went ahead of me and ran aground very close to Punkuduthivu Island. He requested assistance from me and I promptly obliged. But due to pitch darkness and choppy seas, I was unable to pull him out. Enemy sensed that we were in trouble. Couple of sea tiger boats surrounded us to attack. We both kept our heads cool without getting panic and kept enemy at bay until next day morning. We were pretty aware that reinforcement couldn’t arrive from Kankasanthurai (KKS) before first light that was some 80kms away. It was almost 12pm next day before we could pull out Janaka’s Dvora to safety. Situation could have been a catastrophe for the Navy if Janaka didn’t act bold with a clear sense of mind keeping his head straight under those extreme difficult and dangerous conditions.


I was fortunate enough to make the farewell speech at the party. I made a brief but well fitting speech to give due recognition and credit for an officer who sacrificed his prime youth in the noble cause of protecting mother Lanka. In my speech, I quoted Martin Luther King Jr, who echoed that “History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamour of bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people”. My buddy janaka never kept silence in the vicinity of any wrongdoings. He had the guts to fight against them. He always stood on his feet and stod his ground even under very strenuous conditions.


It was Admiral Sam who taught us, ‘Duty is the greatest business of a sea officer. All other private considerations must give way to it…. How ever painful it may be. Sergeant simply lived by every wold of above statement. He always put Navy before him. What is good for Navy was simply good for him. If some damn body wants to be a Naval officer, he should be honest , disciplined, professional, loyal and a gentleman. If you are not all of them, simply forget to be a Naval officer. I am pretty sure that he was all of them. That is why he was a fine Naval officer in the first place. Underneath Janaka’s toughness and steelness, there was a genuine character inside. His genuine concern for people who worked under him was simply unmatched. Genuine concern for men under you is nowadays becoming a kind of rare commodity even in an unique place like Navy. This fine combination of toughness and genuine concern for men under you maketh a fine military leader.. And that amply suits JSR. In a society where individual characters has very ‘deadly combinations’ Sarja’s is a rare one.


I never failed to mention the contributions and sacrifices his beloved wife Dishanthi did throughout their family life of 14 years. She was the towering strength behind him who provided all the encouragement to JSR, firmly holding the family fortress. Dishanthi was the source of inspiration for Janaka. She sometimes even acted like a beacon or a light house to give clear directions when Janaka was sailing in difficult circumstances. In my speech, I remarked how understanding and empathetic Dishanthi was when JSR was going through some difficult times. Saja was compelled to engage in other things to make ends meet and keep the home fire burning. Dishanthi was at hand to lend all help. I even narrated a story about the ‘overcooked brinjol curry’ we enjoyed when we went to JSR’s Moratuwa house just after his marriage. Since then doors of JSR’s humble abode is always open to us in the 16th intake. Dishanthi is a terrific cook now as she learnt the fine art of food preparation. When I made my speech, i noticed tiers welling in the eyes of Dishanthi and later my daughter Ridmi told me that Dishanthi fell in to an uncontrollable sob.


Admiral Sam also spoke few words about Janaka and our batch. What else can we expect from Navy’s No 02 than his ‘acceptance’ that the 16th intake is the flagship of the present Navy. Admiral Sam presented a fitting memento we made for Janaka. We are pretty sure that he will find a suitable place to keep that 'cannon' in his humble abode which sure to bring lot of sweet memories many more years to come.

It was almost wee hours in the next day when the farewell party ended after so much of wining, dining, story telling, embracing, tears welling and much more. I want this brief account titled 'departure of a comrade' on Janaka be terminated by quoting charismatic US president JFK. In 1963, he said...“I can imagine no more rewarding career. And any man who may be asked in this country what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction; I served in the United States Navy”. And dear Janaka... you can proudly say that you were a member of SLNavy; an vibrant, active and a fighting Navy. If anybody doubts your contributions and sacrifices.... simply tell that… you are from 16th intake.

Down the memory lane

Army Commander proclaimed, Mission Accomplished, on Tuesday the 19th of May 2009. The bloody war is finished and we are going to usher a new era from now. This damn war, which has taken more than 70,000 lives over a period of nearly 03 decades is over, giving total victory to the government forces. LTTE, contrary to the traditional belief, has been militarily defeated very convincingly. All its leaders including terror chief Velupillai Pirapaharn is killed. This victory is a combined team effort of all government military machine and credit evenly goes to all Sri Lankans here and abroad.

When i came to know through a friend of mine in the army about the linking up of 58 and 59 divisions at a beach head just North of Mulaitivu in the wee hours of Sunday the 17th , i was simply elated. For me, that was not another routine piece of news. That was a very valuable news item for me who still has enough of salt in my blood to last a life time. This link up created history. For the first time since tiger guerrillas launched their separatist campaign, we are now in total control of the entirety of the island's coast line. In naval jargon, we now control our seas around the country and this is the first time it has been so. A sense of relief came to my mind and i unintentionally made a sigh of relief. Suddenly...my mind dashed to early part of 1987 where we then, 16th intake of officer cadets from Sri Lanka Navy experienced our first battle experience on board a 'Fast Gun Boat' entering Karainagar naval base located stone's throw away from LTTE held kayts island from the other side. We, raw cadets were ordered to put on body armour jackets and helmets to man the 37mm and 25mm heavy armaments on board whilst entering. We were battle ready in all respect. The then, Executive officer or XO of the ship, now a good friend of mine living in US, explained to us that the whole of Kayts island is under LTTE controlled and we are vulnerable for sea borne attack from there. We budding officers were not that mature enough to fully comprehend what was being told then. Much of the things muttered to us simply didn't make much sense to us. But the battle preparations of the gun boat implied that we could be in harm's way at any time when we are plying near to an enemy held coastline. All 10 officer cadets from 16th intake(my batch), who were on board felt this danger. Among us were officer cadets Anura Nanayakkara; a fine athlete and a cricketer from Royal College and Chandima Wijayapura; Sri Lanka school footballer and a fine hockey player from Maristela College,Negambo. Both of them are no more with us now as duo made their supreme sacrifice in line of their noble duty to protect mother lanka almost 16 years ago.

Chandima was called by different names by different people. He was very near and dear to me, which prompted me to call him by his first name. To his mom and dad, he was 'Gorbuck'. Since i was a frequent visitor to his place in Negambo, mainly to have a delicious meal cooked by his mom,'Princy aunt', i also quite frequently called him 'Gorbuck'. To many in the batch, he was simply 'Bada'. To some others, he was 'Pura'.

Chandima certainly was a team player.And he had a big heart; most probably a family inheritance. His humble abode in Negambo was our 'free meal house'. we were always welcome there and its doors were opened to us. when ever any of us made our,'princy Aunt' was busy making arrangements to make sure that our stomachs are full with very palatable dishes. Fresh fish brought in from nearby 'Negambo walla' was a definite dish.

16th intake in the Sri Lanka Navy is very versatile batch in the Navy (subject to debate). we guys are equally capable in many a departments. And Bada also possessed most of these qualities He was a fine sportsman, excelled in his studies and always was well inside top five of the batch.He always took part in any extra curricular activities in the batch. A mild boozer he was, enjoyed every bit of it with a 'peculiar dance' unique to him keeping the glass on top of his head. He was equally up to any mischievous things. His main characteristics what i see in him was his genuine concern for people; be them superiors, peers or subordinates. He was simply second to none in that aspect. Pura was a brave sailor. In 1993, if my memory serves me correct, under his command navy succeeded bringing in two water jet craft from Elephant pass (EPS) to Nagathevanturai amids heavy resistance of sea tigers. And gorbuck did the damn thing in style, caring too hoot about the plenty of sea mines laid by enemy in the jaffna lagoon; a death ground for many a sailors. Those heroics were talked of very highly by our Army brothers with whom we manned defences around strategic Poonneryn area.

Bada was always fun to be around with. Certain things he did, especially during our 'strenuous cadet period' still linger in our minds. We, 16th intake guys still are unable to comprehend over many rounds of 'spirits' over all these years how he manged to do an about turn, that is a 180 dgree one, carrying a SLR, on top of a slippery roller whose top was rounded during one of our 'parade training' exercises. When the order was given by Master Chief Petty Officer KH perera; our gunnery instructor, Pura executed it superbly. A trade mark 'Bada drill, it became later.

Anura was always called by 'Nana' by all in the navy. I don't remember any one calling him by his first name. Nana was a fine athlete fro Royal college and a very intelligent officer. He knew bit of 'tricks in the trade' even prior joining the navy. I don't hesitate to call him a 'jack of all trades'. Otherwise strenuous 'Navy cadet training' was bit of smooth sailing for Nana. He dressed immaculately at all times and took a long time to prepare his uniforms to make sure that those are 'ship shaped'. His boots and shoes shined like a mirror and bootlaces were no exception. Despite his out going kind of character, he was a 'neat and bright' officer throughout our whole navy training period of well over two years. Like Bada, he always secured a place among top five in the batch.

As many of us, Nana was a mild boozer; a navy tradition of yesteryear's. sometimes, more often than not, he exceeded 'mild' to be in 'heavy'. he always had a 'reason' to be engage in breaking the 5th precept. It could be a family problem, one connected to his close friends or simply unhealthy economic situation in the country. He was very concerned about all these issues and opted to sleep with them. To relieve himself of being stressed out, he simply needed a 'small drink'. I don't for a moment find any wrong with it.

IPKF were billeted in the Dockyard when we were Midshipmen. They had 'Rum' in plenty and didn't have good quality boots. Nana reintroduced the age old bartering system. IPKF soldiers were happy with our boots and we with Indian rum. Not a bad exchange though...

One day Nana met with an accident. He had severe cuts and bruises compelling him to be in the hospital for few weeks. " some stupid fellas have erected a lamp post right in the middle of the Galle road at Panadura....and i didnt notice it when i was riding at midnight, quipped Nana when we asked him about the accident.

When i got the sad news about the Nana's Dvora is sunk by LTTE off Trincomalee sea with the entire crew, i had just arrived at my home from Trincomalee. Only in the previous day i handed over my command of a Dvora to one of my friend after serving nearly 18 months. Nana took over his command barely two days before...that was his destiny

Uditha was a product of Royal College and his classmates from Royal were Nana,Prasanna and Ajith perera; all of whom happened to be in the 16th intake now. Uditha was a very social character who had very refined manners. He was, unlike many, a calm and collected officer. He was well accepted by the fair sex. He was very concerned about his not so fair complexion. As a remedy he spent a quite big money on various kind of creams. Nevia was one of his favorite. Prasanna told me that when they were trained in India he used to continue this practice. One day after a couple of layers of Nivea to go for a party supposed to attended by gorgeous Indian ladies, Uditha has asked Prasanna 'who do u think more fair between we two?'. I can guess what would have been the reply of Prasanna being the fairest guy in the batch.

Uditha spent much of his navy time in India for training. He was in Sri Lanka in early 1993 after his training and i was the Navigating officer on board SLNS Edithara; a surveillance command ship of medium size. We bith were lieutenants then. When i got the news that he will join my ship as an electrical officer, i was simply elated. Our ship used to patrol for a month before coming to a harbour. Even though we were used to this, having a batch mate with you definetely helps to ease boredom. Anticipating his arrival, i made all arrangement to share my 'cabin' with Uditha. On that fateful day, we were patrolling off Point Pedro. Uditha had embarked P 465 which sailed from Trincomalee for North sea patrolling to join Edithra. As the standard practice, P465; an Israel built fast attack craft popularly known in the navy as Dvora would come along side to Edithra to disembark Uditha. when she was heading up near Point Pedro, OIC of the Dvora,again a good friend of mine had spotted a flotilla of fishing craft and decided to check them before approaching my ship which was barely 20 Km away. There had been one LTTE suicide boat laden with explosive disguised as a fishing craft waiting for its prey. When the Dvora approached to the fishing cluster, LTTE suicide craft blew itself up, severely crippling the Dvora. Most of the crew members were killed due to this deadly blast,probably Uditha among them. within couple of minutes, a flotilla of Sea Tiger craft surrounded ill fated Dvora and rest is all history. I was monitoring the enemy transmissions from the ship and was able to understand this deadly episode. The innocent dream of 'two batch mates' uniting themselves after couple of years apart thus shattered....forever.

Thus, I lost 03 of my batch mates within a Span of very short time. Only Nana was married among them. Nana's son Naveen was was very small when he fell, and don't have much memory about his dad. Naveen and has mom Merhala, a fine lady from Chavakachcheri now lives in USA. We officers of the 16th intake officer a dana to Preethipura Orphanage every year to commemorate our fallen comrades who gave their today for our tommorrow. Last year, !6th intake officers of the navy, built a house at Ragama for one Mr. Somapala; a Navy Civil employee, in memory of our 03 heroes who made the supreme sacrifice.

It was long time before i came to my proper senses. All TV chanels l were awash with victories in the battle field and final victory is well within reach. Celebrations have already commenced all over the cuntry. I felt a sense of pride, when thought about the supreme sacrifice made by my 03 batch mates in the noble duty of protecting our motherland. Sirs...i respectfully salute you.

Adai Wettuda

I was in a small naval craft in the kalpitiya lagoon when i noticed a saffron robbed Buddhist monk among the blue uniformed sailors who was in a very pensive mood looking at the empty sky. The seas were bit choppy and incoming waves hit the craft causing a little inconvenience to the people on board. The sun showed no mercy and spared no one from its scorching heat.After paying all due compliments to the monk, i fell in to a casual conversation with the monk. During the course of our conversation i spotted a scar on his left palm. It was natural for me to ask the monk about the scar and he took a long time to give any reply as to how it happened. Reply to my question about scar took the conversation in to a totally unexpected terrain..and revisiting of a horror..a brutal inhuman act took that place in a teak jungle ...almost 21 long years ago.

Walallawita Wimalaghana threo was the deputy principle of the Vidyananda pirivena at Ampara in 1987. On that fateful day on 02nd June 1987, he, along with the chief incumbent of the pirivena,'Uthru Nagenahira depalathe adikarana sanga nayaka' most venerable Hagoda Indrasara thero got in to a bus with a team of young Buddhist monks around 6 am from Ampara. Their initial destination;Kandy....and they were on a educational cum religious visit to Katharagama via Kandy.The bus travelled on a normal journey until it was stopped by a gang of around 20 armed men wearing olive green uniforms similar that of Army. And the place was ..Aranthalawa ; a hitherto hardly heard village on Ampara Kandy road. " It was quite normal and we observed 02 'soldiers' getting in to the bus", said Wimalaghana thero. One with a automatic weapon ordered the bus to be taken in to the woods on an unpaved road. A little suspicion aroused as the order was in broken sinhala mixed with Tamil words. " By this time, i was quite sure that those were LTTE and we for a moment never thought that we will be in any harm's way as we were saffron robed Buddhist monks", thero remarked.

The bus was taken about 2kms inside the teak jungle before it was ordered to halt.The leader of the LTTE group armed with an automatic weapon and a burly LTTEer with a long sword got in to the bus again at this place. "A sharp chill ran through my whole body at that moment" said the thero. But no body in the bus in their wildest imagination thought that they will be harmed by those men with arms. That sort of a thing had never happened before. LTTE had massacred scores of innocent civilians a few months before at at a hamlet called Mangalagama near Ampara. But those were civilians.

"It didn't take long to understand that i was wrong in my assumption", muttered the thero, now looking at the empty sky and not feeling any discomfort under the scorching heat or crushing waves that made the craft to swell violently. The LTTE leader pointed his automatic weapon at the driver and he pleaded " don't kill me...i am a poor father of six kids" before being shot several times on the head and chest. There was a 'pin drop silence' in the bus. The burly LTTEer with the sword shouted loudly ''adai wettuda" at the same time landing the long sharp sword on the bold shining head of the chief priest who was sitting terrified in the front seat with a vicious force bisecting the head and killing the chief priest instantly. 'Adai weetuda' literally means, 'Guys lets chop them all'. And the the carnage of Aranthalawa thus started.

Young monks and novices screamed and begged for mercy. and that was not be. Whilst LTTE leader started strafing on monks with his automatic, other was busy chopping off heads,amids incessant screaming. The rest of the LTTE team surrounded the bus with weapons pointing at the bus. "I was in the second seat from the front and one with the sword tried to chop off my head. when he raised his sword, it got entangled with some object in the bus and its force was weakened and finally landed on my left palm giving me a sharp pain..and i fell on to the floor. suddenly i felt a heavy weight on me as another monk fell on me dead. i was buried under his head body. i also remained in total silence as if i am dead. I could feel a river of blood flowing in the bus. But i remained without any movement thinking that next bullet would pierce my scull or sharp sword will chop off my head. After a few minutes, the two got off to from the bus and i heard the leader barging some orders in Tamil. And i thought..my god i escaped...my little solace lasted only for few minutes as i noticed two of them getting in to the bus again. Leader with automatic started firing underneath the seats to ensure all of us are killed, and other one was busy with the sword. There were very few screams this time.... And then they were gone...but i remained motionless...i don't know how long..smell of row blood and its odour was unbearable. After a hour or so..some got in to the bus and asked anybody who is alive to make a move. i was still afraid..but when they spoke again and again...i could detect the unmistakable and authentic sinhala accent of them....they were Army men..and i was in safe hands to live an another day"..Wimalaghana thero described.

When this barbaric inhuman act by the LTTE was being described by the thero, the boat entered the clear blue waters of Indian waters from the murky waters of Kalpitiya lagoon. And the boat rocked violently with a heavy wave. All of the men on board were thrown to one side as a result. But i noticed that thero was unmoved and he was in a different world. He didn't feel that we were in a navy boat off Moderagam Aru and sea water splashed on our bodies. He was simply numbed.. so did i.

According to the wimalaghana thero,32 Buddhist monks and 02 civil persons including the driver of the bus were butchered in this barbaric act by the LTTE; so called saviours of the Tamil people.Only 05 monks were fortunate enough to live another day with multiple injuries. This thero has narrated this story to many people over the last 21 years and he told me that he is so unfortunate to live with those grim memories despite he being in the list of very few who 'survived' this carnage at Aranthalawa. Now the boat was almost coming to our intended destination off the shores of Mullikulam bordering Vilpattu jungle. Both of us were soaked in sea water and i could feel taste of salt when a drop of them entered in to my thirsty lips. Wimalaghana thero, i saw, looking again at the empty sky before the boat skipper killed the engines and there were no feelings in those dead eyes. He made a deep sigh of relief... may be thinking that how many times he will have to narrate this horrific tale again....and ..revisit those ghost moments.