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| Sunday, 5 May 2002 |
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Group Captain Shirantha Goonetileke - a professional military man Shirantha was born on September 7, 1958. He completed a brilliant school career as an outstanding all rounder at St. Peter's College and Royal College, to follow the family tradition of making a career in the Air Force, in the foot steps of his father Air Vice Marshall Harry Goonetileke and his brother Roshan. Joining the Air Force in 1978, he graduated as a commissioned officer and a qualified pilot, wining the best all round cadet, best pilot awards and the coveted sword of honour. He excelled in every field of activity as a commissioned officer. In the field of flying he reached the highest point as an Instructor as the Air Force Command Instrument Rating Examiner, and took rein of the Air Force Flying Academy in 1988. By this time Shirantha had established himself and was loved and respected by the rank and file of the Air Force. Shirantha's contribution to the SLAF Flying training is one of the greatest assets he has handed over to the next generation. The most important event in life also occurred in the year 1988, a person whom he knew from his childhood said "I DO". It was the graceful and elegant Roshanthi. They were blessed with a son in 1989 to carry the torch named Manilka, and in 1991 God blessed them with a precious daughter Rukshala. In 1990 Shirantha and I worked together. He was my deputy, my able lieutenant at a time of national calamity, where we together changed the "tide" in our favour after the initiative being lost at the outset. We endured and shared many occasions of triumph, defeat, fear and anxiety as death loomed around us. There were times of grief that we cried together as we lost our colleagues one by one. There were enormous achievements by Shirantha in the battle field he was decorated for his gallantry and bravery repeatedly. The night of 27th July 1991 stands out as a signal achievement of Shirantha, if not for his courage, tenacity, endurance, power of command and leadership, and the confidence based on him by his subordinates, we would have witnessed the Elephant Pass debacle on that night and not in year 2000. In 1994 he was appointed the Commanding Officer of the Air Force Transport Wing, and on 28th April 1995, I believe he was appointed the Northern Zonal Commander and he did bid farewell to us just 24 hours later, on this day, seven years ago. When a nation's existence is in threat the Government will call upon its Military instrument to restore normalcy. The professional military man will wage war to restore peace whilst the non professional military man will engage in a never ending, aimless war bringing misery to the Nation. We have seen both these categories of people in our 20 year internal conflict. Shirantha belonged to the professional category, the minority, and he fought to regain the lost peace. Shirantha belonged to the 'Chosen Few' the 'Noble Men'. At a time when peace bells are ringing around us, let us pray that the forces of peace will be victorious, the evil who beat the war drums be silenced by GOD. Let the supreme sacrifice of Shirantha and many others on either side of the past divide be not in vain, Let the pain and agony of the maimed and the disabled on either side of the past divide be not in vain, let there be no more widows and orphans created by war on our motherland. LET Sri Lanka be a land for the whole human race without a divide. It is my belief that Shirantha lives on with us, Shirantha though physically not present remains with Roshanthi, Manilka and Rukshala with greater power of his spirit in heaven to guide and protect all three of you. Shirantha had great faith in God, "Unto the faithful - life is changed - but not taken away". Excerpts of an eulogy delivered by Wing Commander Sunil Cabral. |
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