[Heroes]

The Wave of Bravery and Courage...

Nilma Dole

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Previously on Heroes Forever......

FAC P495 returning from patrolling in the Manakkadu area indicated the presence of upto 15 LTTE boats. One of the FACs that assisted in the attack was the former P422 that was renamed P402 after the vessel upgraded. This incident took place on 21st April 2001.

Navy Lieutenant D.L.S. Mohan Dias was the Officer in Command that was aboard the P402 that saved 12 lives of the people aboard the P495.

The bravery and courage to save his people is evident in his performance. He is a Science faculty graduate from the Kelaniya university and was taken in as a development assistant under the graduate scheme.

Deciding to join the navy because his father and brother also served in the armed forces, this incident took place seven days prior to his wedding. However, he gave his best to his country and proved that he could face the hallenge amidst all obstacles.

Time: 0500hrs
Location: Mullaitivu

The usual patrolling on Sri Lankan waters was done by P495 and P497 at their normal times and they were about to changeover when it happened. Then P495 detected an echo on its radar and when she ventured near to see what it was, discovered the presence of LTTE sea tiger armed craft that sent the echo. It was near their territorial sea tiger bases, three nautical miles off the shores of Mullaitivu and Challi areas.

Once three of the LTTE FACs closeby detected P495, they started attacking it and it was struck. It was at this point when P402, a less sophisticated vessel than the other FACs but who had its share of speed, weaponry and crew onboard saw the enemy vessels on its radar. It was at this time that Lieutenant Dias decided to help save the men onboard the P495.

Time: 0550hrs
Location: Mullaitivu

Lieutenant Dias then launched a surprise attack on the two enemy boats that was closest to him and started firing at them from the port side. The crossfire took between 15 to 20 minutes.

Eventually, he took a route that initially started with firing as the priority and then passed the boat from the other side to save the men. After attacking, he took the same route to save the men who were onboard and the two who were thrown overboard due to the fierce fighting.

The determination and courage of Lieutenant Dias shows how guts and prompt decision-making can save the day. Lieutenant Dias weathered a storm first to attack the enemy to keep them at bay and then came again back to save his colleagues.

It is this courage that has been recognised by the Navy for his bravery.

Lieutenant Mohan Dias was awarded the Weera Wickrama Vibhushana (WWV) and has now garnered the title of Lieutenant Commander for his courage and bravery.