‘Heroes Forever’ is a series dedicated to Army, Air Force, Navy and the Police personnel who have gone beyond the call of duty. This is our token of appreciation on behalf of the whole nation to recognize their courage and determination. Nilma DOLE [email protected]

During the time when the armed forces took hold of key areas as a result of the Jayasikuru operation, Corporal Pathirana of the Air Force was also stationed near the Omantha FDL. Three days before this incident, it was informed that about 300 LTTE cadres had penetrated through the FDL lines that was discoverd when the barbed wire was tampered on one side.

Date:          30th July 1998
Location:   Omantha
Time:         07:30 hrs

"We had been notified by the security police that LTTE cadres had trespassed the area and were sure to be lurking about.So everyone had to be on the guard" said Corporal Pathirana. Checking out for suspicious activity, Corporal Pathirana was with his colleagues Corporal Nimantha and Corporal Minuwanpitiya on duty. "We were part of the 100 -member Air Force squad under the purview of Squadron Leader Commanding Officer Chandrasekera where our duty was to protect the area which consisted of thick jungle" said the Corporal.

08:00 hrs: Afterwards, a rustling in the bushes was heard as they were scouring the place and noticed that these sounds were drawing near. "Whilst we were clearing, we heard some voices coming from a side and we crouched low to figure out what was going on" said the Corporal. Eventually, they saw three LTTE cadres venturing through the thicket to their side. "By the look of them, we knew they had to be a Reki team because there were only three and they had communication equipment and data-gathering tools which are normally used to obtain information and location status" said Corporal Pathirana.

When the Corporal and his comrades were in close proximity to the cadres and just before they crossed their immediate territory,firing stared.

Corporal Pathirana

Corporal Pathirana said "We used T56 weapons and machine guns all at once which took them by surprise." Having no time to even think, the LTTE cadres were struck down as the fire caught them unawares. "We knew that a surprise attack was needed in this instance and we managed to bring all three down at once which was good" said Corporal Pathirana.

They uncovered their T56 weapons, their communication and data-gathering equipment and also some food and clothes.

"Only when we cleared the area and discovered the bodies that our suspicions were confirmed that they were indeed a Reki team" said the Corporal.

09:30 hrs: The confrontation ended and they handed over the bodies and loot to the Commanding Officer who took control of the situation.

Corporal Pathirana hails from Ambepussa and attended Kandagamuwa Maha Vidyala where he studied till his Ordinary Levels. He was the first to serve in the Armed Forces and had support from his family to venture into this career.

He has been awarded the RSP for services rendered to his nation and his mother has got the highest honour for giving birth to a victor being awarded the Weeralanka Matha given by the former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. "I joined the Air Force on 23rd June 1996 and professed an interest because I always indulged in sports and underwent cadetting for 4 years" said the Corporal. He said that he was fascinated by the Armed Forces for as long as he can remember and he advises would-be Air Force officers that you can learn a lot. "I hope people will realize how important it is to liberate our country from terrorists because we are a small country with very few Sri Lankans left in the world" he said. Corporal Pathirana, who is now stationed at the Katunayake Air Force base, is married, has two children and hopes to continue his service to the country for as long as he is able.