Courageous act of determination

Nilma Dole

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Prelude

A major strategy of the Jayasikuru operation was to capture the A9 route at Puliyankulam junction, since it was very vital for the Armed Forces as well as the LTTE. The Light Infantry Regiment had tried to penetrate through the front line of the LTTE but all to no avail.

The Army decided to call in heavy artillery. Hence the formidable task of getting a foothold in this area was assigned to the T 55 Main Battle Tanks of Sri Lankan Armoured Brigade, under the leadership of Major General Chandradasa. Captain Ransiri Wijesoma was the Front Tank Squadron Commander.

Date: August 19, 1997
Time : 0800 hrs
Location: Puliyankulam
Operation: Jayasikuru

On either side of the A9 route near Puliyankulam, consists of shrubbery land. Inside the perimeter of the LTTE base were trenches and a strong bunker line. The Puliyankulam junction was a strong enemy station.

Captain Wijesoma and the T 55 Main Battle Tanks with great difficulty managed to access the junction. Thereafter, LTTE cadres encircled them. They had only six tanks and there were nearly 2000 cadres in the LTTE camp. Despite being outnumbered, they retaliated with maximum firepower and tried to hold fort.

0845 hrs: Reinforcements of twelve more tanks were eventually called in. The front tank that carried the RPG (rocket propelled grenade) was commanded by W. T. N. D. Corporal Gnanasiri who hails from the town of Ambanpola, Kurunegala.

He joined SL Army in 1985 as a gunner operator and he had his initial training in Trincomalee and was later given a position as Tank Commander. Captain Ransiri Wijesoma and Corporal Gnanasiri had worked together since 1992. “Though he was of a lower rank we all fought together as one on the battlefield” he said.

A road block was set up by the LTTE and fighting commenced from there. In spite of the severe threats posed by the anti- tank weapons of the LTTE, to him and his team, Corporal Gnanasiri strove on.

Even though he knew that all odds were stacked against them, he thought nothing of the intense fire coming in his way as he directed the tank forward. However much the LTTE cadres were closing in on him from all sides, Corporal Gnanasiri kept on going.

Despite the fact that this was strong LTTE territory, they still managed to pull together. There were now a few tanks and weapons from the opposition that drew forth much problems. Maximum firepower of the Armoured Brigade was now being used. “Nothing could stop Corporal Gnanasiri until ultimately an enemy anti-tank weapon got him.” said Captain Wijesoma.

After that Captain Wijesoma had to tactically reposition his team. Even though the Captain’s left hand was completely blown off, he had the will to see the end of it until he fell unconscious. They found the body of Corporal Gnanasiri in his tank after the battle.

Thereafter, as a result of the road block, Corporal Gnanasiri fought till his last breath and made a successful attempt to save a superior in his hour of need. If it wasn’t for Corporal W. T. N. D. Gnanasiri and the reinforcements, Captain Wijesoma and his colleagues might not have been alive today. He will be remembered as a hero who went on with the operation through thick and thin.

Captain Ransiri Wijesoma, who had earlier garnered the decoration RSP (Rana Sura Padakkama) was awarded a WWV (Weera Wickrama Vibhushana) for this particular act of bravery. He was promoted Major before he retired. Corporal Gnanasiri was posthumously awarded an RSP (Rana Sura Padakkama) for portrayal of courage and determination.

“Corporal Gnanasiri was very skilled and professional. As military trained personnel, we are equipped to deal with war situations but Corporal Gnanasiri was exceptional. It is indeed difficult to find people like him. He was an invaluable soldier to the army.” said Major Wijesoma. Corporal Gnanasiri was a brave soldier who gave his life to save his motherland, he will be forever etched in our hearts as a true hero who fought until his last breath in order to save his beloved Motherland.

(Names have been changed to withold identities)