Fall, fall, fall...

Sanjaya Attygalle, first police skydiver to manoeuvre a free fall:

By Kurulu Kariyakarawana

The parabolic canopy is hooked on to the aircraft and once the trooper leaves the plane the parachute will open. Then the trooper has no control over releasing the parachute.

But a skydiver is entirely different from a paratrooper which gives a lot of control to the parachutist who jumps off an aircraft from a height of even 13, 000 feet. The parachutist will skydive or free fall down to an altitude of 4, 000 feet when he will release his canopy. And then manoeuvres it to get to the exact location where he intends to land. An altimeter is worn by these divers to measure the height to release the parachute. In western countries a free fall is performed even higher than 13, 000 feet which requires the jumper to carry oxygen with him to breath in such high altitudes. An exhilarating experience no doubt but not everyone can achieve this feat because of the heights that have to be navigated.

Marking a record, Inspector Sanjaya Attygalle attached to the Special Task Force entered history becoming the first ever free fall skydiver of the Sri Lanka Police. This achievement gave much pride to the Police force. Thirty eight -year-old Sanjaya passed out from the Sixth Free Fall Skydiving Course conducted by the Sri Lanka Air Force at its Parachute Training School in Uhana SLAF Camp in Ampara last month.

Skydiving is exiting an aircraft in mid air and returning to ground with the aid of gravity and slowing down during the last part of the descent by using a parachute. This is a sport that sends adrenaline levels racing at the same time requires much skill, training and practise to end with a safe landing with no harm to life and limb.

Sanjaya being greeted by Air Force Commander Kolitha Gunathilaka

Sanjaya (R) with Navy Lt. Commander Manjula Wanninayake after a free fall

Sri Lanka has witnessed many skydiving activities especially during parachute shows held to mark national events and international games tournaments. Well- trained airmen, sailors, army special forces and commandos have performed these amazing stunts to date. Members of these selected forces were chosen for skydiving courses as it required solid, basic training and mostly importantly they have to be members of the special forces.

Being an experienced STF personnel, Sanjaya joined the Police Service in January, 1997 and was absorbed to the Police elite force in May, 1997 as a Sub Inspector. He was promoted to Inspector in October, 2002 and served as Inspector for the past 12 years at the Katukurunda STF Training Academy.

Sanjaya who completed the 12th SLAF Basic Parachute Course held in 2007 passed out as the best paratrooper among a group of paratroopers representing the Military and Air Force special forces.

Sanjaya told the Sunday Observer that parachuting is his passion. To become a parachutist in Sri Lanka the basic requirement was to be a member of the Special Forces. Only members of the SLAF Regimental Special Forces, Special Airborne Forces (that handles the personal security of the Air Force Commander), Army Commandos, Sri Lanka Army Special Forces, Sri Lanka Navy Special Boat Squadron and Police Special Task Force are selected for the basic para trooper course.

Having completed the relevant qualifications and basic physical training held by the SLAF, Sanjaya completed successful 15 jumps from a height of 1000 feet. A basic para trooper jumps from 1000 feet in Sri Lanka (1200 feet in India) with having very limited control in hand to navigate his fall.

At the Free Fall Skydiving Course held between January 20, to March 26, 2014 IP Attigala took part along with 19 Airmen and a Sailor. He completed 20 jumps during this period from various altitudes between 5, 000 to 13, 000 feet jumped from an M.I. 17 helicopter in Ampara. Maintaining the physical balance, releasing the canopy at the correct height, controlling the parachute and landing on the targeted location were some of the techniques Sanjaya mastered during his free fall.

According to Sanjaya free fall skydiving is used in the world for covert military and strategic operations to land in important targets which could not be reached on ground or sea penetrating enemy forces. Although it is only used for display purposes at parachute exhibitions the skill is chiefly being used for security purposes. And even some modern countries use it for mere pleasure as an extreme sport.

Sanjaya had his primary and secondary education at Sripali Maha Vidyalaya in Horana. He is married to Wasana Ratnayake and is the father of three Hasindu Attigala, Yasindu Attigala and Kavithi Attigala.

Attached to the Katukurunda STF Training School Sanjaya acts as a senior instructor in charge of VIP security and Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT). There are 16 paratroopers in the STF who completed the basic parachute course. And eight more paratroopers serve in the other divisions of the Police Department who transferred having completed eight years of service in the STF.

Out of all IP Sanjaya Attigala is the most expreicned paratrooper as well as the one and only skydiver in the police service at present. He was greeted by the Air Force Commander Air Marshal Kolitha Gunathilaka at the passing out ceremony held on June 30, 2014. Expressing his deep desire to become an experienced skydiver in the future who can take part in displays in national and international events, Sanjaya said he needs to complete 80 more jumps to become a veteran in the field. He is striving to achieve this feat and have his name engraved is letters of gold after fulfilling his lifelong passion.