Heart of a Lion, love of a brother
Lieutenant General Parami Kulatunga honoured
A fitting epitaph for Lieutenant General Parami Kulatunga, bestowed
on him at an inspiring and poignant Memorial Dedication at the U.S. Army
War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on October 11, 2006.
Lieutenant General Kulatunga, Third in Command in Sri Lanka’s Army,
was assassinated when a LTTE suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden
motorbike onto his car during the morning rush hour in the suburbs of
Colombo, on June 26, 2006. The Memorial Dedication was a tribute by the
U.S. Army War College to Lieutenant General Kulatunga, a deeply
respected alumnus. It was initiated by the late General’s colleagues of
the Class of 2003 at the War College, who remember him as a student
among them in the US three years ago, and whose warm, unassuming ways
won him a place in their hearts, that his untimely death deeply affected
them was apparent. Underlying the simplicity of the event was
spontaneity of expression that could only come from deep within. The
Memorial had overtones of almost tangible sadness and pathos, as
memories translated into colourful anecdotes filled with warmth and
humour.
As a friend...
Captain Albert Lord, who enunciated the Prelude and who served as
anchor for the programme, created the ambience through his eloquence,
paving the way for a poignant and uplifting ceremony.
Colonel Chip Dever, who had known the General closely during the
study tour at War College spoke with depth of feeling, leaving the
audience teary-eyed. “As a friend you did those little things that true
friends never forget. I forgot your birthday, but when I was in Iraq,
you remembered mine - twice.” He recounted with affection their many
encounters. “Even now, in speaking of them, the picture of a smile and a
bear hug come to me, both of which are eclipsed in size warmth by the
heart of the lion which contained them.” The tribute he paid the General
as a soldier was equally profound. “Your sacrifice is a constant
reminder of the sacrifice throughout the history of dedicated soldiers,
who put service to country and the preservation of peace and freedom
above all else. Today we stand before you to tell you that it is
soldiers like you that make us proud to serve, and prouder still to say
that we knew you well enough to call you a friend.”
Mr. Theodore Smith, who was the community sponsor for the General
during his stay at War College, also paid a very passionate tribute. He
said, “The LTTE killed a man who helped to build bridges between the
Sinhalese and the Tamils.” Having known the decency and innate humanity
of the man, Mr. Smith was deeply critical of the LTTE for “murdering an
exceptional officer”. He commended Sri Lanka for acting with such
restraint in the face of such brutal provocation. Even as he remembered
the officer, who served his country so selflessly, with hope and
optimism about the peace process, he was reminded of Parami, the
gentleman who revealed in being a family man, in enjoying the simple
pleasures of life like the blaring of a train’s horn as it rushed on its
way, expressing his joy through his hearty sincere laughter and the
merry twinkle in his eye. In fact, the officers all agreed that the
photograph of a beaming General Kulatunga in civilian attire was more
the man they knew than the serious-faced officer in uniform in the
official photograph.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in the US, Bernard Goonetilleke, who spoke at
the Memorial, gave a historical perspective to General Kulatunga’s
assassination by dwelling on the deviousness and deception the LTTE has
indulged in since the Ceasefire Agreement, and referred to recent LTTE
assassinations or near-assassinations in Sri Lanka.
His service, sacrifice
The Commandant of the Army War College, Major-General David Huntoon
Jr, who wrapped up the tributes, said that the Memorial was being held
in honour of the service and sacrifice of General Kulatunga. Describing
him as “a soldier, scholar and statesman with love for country and
friends,” “a leader of moral and physical courage with courage and
compassion,” who “inspired all he served with,” Major-General Huntoon
appreciated General Kulatunga’s lifelong commitment to serve Sri Lanka,
his profound understanding of the conflict situation and his
“determination to make positive change.” He added the dimension of the
global fight against terrorism with his focus on “reaffirming our
collaborative resolve and common purpose to defeat terrorists wherever
they are.”
In an atmosphere charged with emotion, the melancholy notes of taps
seemed a fitting finale to the tributes. This was followed by the
unveiling of a plaque with names of fallen heroes from the Army War
College alumni inscribed. The latest name added on the list was
Lieutenant General Parami Kulatunga.
An honourable officer “with the heart of a lion.” The officers vowed
fervently, “ He will always be in our hearts,” even as they resolved to
have his photograph displayed permanently in the lecture room.
The Memorial Dedication at the US War College was a tribute to an
honourable, warm and unassuming human being who had crossed the lines of
race and nationality to touch hearts and lives. In the larger sense, it
is a deeper bonding of two nations that value freedom, peace and
democracy with a common resolve to fight terrorism wherever it exists. |