Royalists honoured for bravery
Principal and the chief guest, Secretary to the President Lalith
Weeratunga walk towards the monument. |
Old Royalists - The chief guest with senior officers of the
Army, Navy and Air Force |
They were the Royal defenders of the nation descending from a regal
family that is deep rooted in this island nation for over one and a half
centuries. This was the Alma Mater of many brave warriors of the Sri
Lankan forces. These patriotic sons of the Royal College, Colombo are
proud descendants of distinguished personalities of the Sri Lankan
military history such as Major General Vijeya Wimalaratne, Major General
Percy Fernando and Brigadier Bhathiya Jayathilake and the list
continues.
On July 1 the Royal College honoured 47 heroic Royalists who made the
supreme sacrifice during the last three decades of war and felicitated
300 courageous Royalists who are presently serving in the Army, Navy,
Airforce, Police and the Civil Defence Force at a solemn ceremony titled
'Rajakeeya Ranaviru Pranama' held in front of the College Monument of
Honour.
"They have repaid the debt they owed. They kept the fame inviolate,"
states the Monument of Honour - reminding youth of the supreme sacrifice
and the valour of their predecessors in safeguarding the souverignity
and the territorial integrity of the country.
"They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of
limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds encountered; They fell with
their faces to the foe," said Laurence Binyon in his poem 'For the
Fallen'. They paid their debt more than they owed. They faced the enemy
in defending the motherland.
Forty seven royalists sacrificed their lives to eliminate terrorism
during the three-decades war. The first Royalist to die in the battle
was Major Milroy Fernando who was killed in a confrontation in Omanthai
on January 6, 1986. The first Naval Officer of the College to die was
Lieutenant Commander Sandun Gunasekara on November 16, 1992. The first
Air Force officer to be killed in action was Flight Lieutenant R. B.
Kulathunge who died on May 5, 1990. Among the Royalists Major General
Vijeya Wimalaratne's ranks top for his courage and guidance. Killed in
action on August 8, 1992 Maj. Gen. Wimalaratne will be fondly remembered
by all Royalists as an icon of great patriotism. Major General Percy
Fernando and Brigadier Bhathiya Jayathilake, who were killed during the
battles in Elephantpass on April 22, 2000 will be remembered by the
College and in the history of the country for their endeavour to end
terrorism. In a war there is no substitute for victory and these
Royalists made victory a reality. Lieutenant A. W. M. N. M. de Silva of
the Army, Squadron Leader E. A. D. Edirisinghe and Flying Officer U.R.
Fernando of the Air Force have been decorated with the 'Weera Wickrama
Vibushanaya' for their bravery. Most of the Royal heroes were awarded
with 'Rana Wickrama Padakkama' and the 'Rana Sura Padakkama' for their
gallantry displayed in the war.
Royalists serving the Sri Lankan Army, Navy, Airforce and the Police
are Maj. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya, Maj. Gen. Nandana Udawatta, Rear
Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, Air Vice Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama and
Senior Superintendent of Police M.R. Latheef. The Secret to the success
of these brave Royalists lies in the College Motto - 'Disce Aut Discede',
Learn or depart.
As Laurence Binyon said in his poem 'At the going down of the sun and
in the morning - we will remember them.' The valiant soldiers will be
remembered always.
-DY
Chief guest Lalith Weeratunga honouring the dead war heroes |
We never forgot you and never will - mourning families of
war heroes |
A mother pointing out her sons’ name to the grandsons |
|
