Thou shalt not be forgotten...

Nilma Dole

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Hailing from the southern town of Matara, Corporal M. G. Mangala was a brave man who gave his life for Sri Lanka.

Time: 0300hrs
Operation: Jayasikuru Date: 13th July 1998
Location: Matiyamadu Division 53

set off during the wee hours of the morning to capture the LTTE Gajabapura camp. Under the command of OIC Captain Major Wimalasena, the men set off on a gravel road covering their tracks as they went along.

However, a severe drought affected the area which made it difficult to fight properly but also made the enemy weak.The armed forces then came to a ‘Weeragaha’ junction where the LTTE, upon realising that the army were now on their territory, had positioned bunkers so they couldn’t get through.

Once the LTTE saw them approaching, they fired with maximum power so that the army couldn’t cross the road. However, with the determination and bravery the armed forces possessed, after 20 minutes, they successfully secured a victory at the bunkers. When these were cleared, they discovered four LTTE bodies but six soldiers were injured in the attack.

Thereafter, they moved on to see the LTTE camp about 500 metres away from the junction which led to a dense jungle. Says Corporal Piyasena who was part of the team “We saw small groups of LTTE positioned everywhere but we couldn’t identify the civilians from the armed LTTE terrorists because they were hiding in the jungle.”

However, many LTTE terrorists started attacking from the jungle as the armed forces moved along towards the camp after the Infantry held the ground of the bunkers. As Corporal Mangala, Sergeant Karunadasa and two other army personnel started fighting on foot, the terrorists were now using maximum firepower.

Sadly, in this instance, Corporal Mangala was hit on the head from the right side and fell down. “During fighting we didn’t realise that he was struck down but later as the casualties team that collects the injured and dead came along, they presumed him to be dead”, said the emotional Sergeant.

Time: 0600hrs
Operation: Jayasikuru
Date: 16th July 1998
Location: Manakulum

The drought was severe but nevertheless, the armed forces fought on. The next operation was underway as this area was secured but without Corporal Mangala whose absence was felt by his colleagues.The unmarried Matara-born Corporal Mangala joined the army in 1993 and possesses an unblemished record of four years of service to his country.

He received the same training as his batch mates at the Ampara Army Training Camp. “He wasn’t afraid of fighting for his country and laying down his life”, reminisces Corporal Piyasena. He said that Corporal Mangala was disciplined and very courageous.

“If we are given the duty of securing a target then Corporal Mangala will always be willing to do it to his utmost best” says Corporal Piyasena. Corporal Mangala will remain a hero forever.

(Names have been changed to protect identities)