Tribut to heroes

Nilma Dole

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Corporal K. P. Sumithkumara was a brave gunner who fought as much as he could for his motherland. He was assigned to the Bravo wing and helped out in whatever way he could.

Time: 0400hrs
Date: 22nd February 2002
Location: Manikulum

Corporal K.P. Sumithkumara was on duty on the picket at the defence lines when he heard a mortar being fired on a side close in range. While suspecting it had to be LTTE enemy fire, Corporal Sumithkumara with his colleague Corporal Bandara guarded the picket waiting for any signs of enemy activity.

After fifteen minutes, there was a huge bomb explosion that was heard nearby and quickly they jumped into action. From their end, word was out that a part of their defence lines under the Army was under attack and that the Air Force had to evacuate the place for the time being.

The command was then given to take all ammunition and rations and leave the Bravo wing where they were stationed. Corporal Sumithkumara and Corporal Bandara scooped up whatever weaponry they had like mortar, LMG, guns and some food boxes. As they were leaving, they saw LTTE cadres advancing, so they hurried on.

Time: 0700hrs
Date: 22nd February 2002
Location: Velurukulam

Upon leaving the place, they started venturing into the thick jungle for cover. They were then united with their defence force colleagues that numbered to 600 and they devised a plan to neutralise the enemy.

Their Wing Commander Siriwardena gave the order that they should spread out instead of being concentrated in one area because it was futile. The Army Commander also agreed and they scattered around areas around where they could cover the enemy from all sides.

Time: 0200
Date: 23th February 2002
Location: Manikulum

The next day, the Wing Commander Siriwardena gave the order to get back to their Manikulum battle stations and by early morning they all went back including the armed forces. Upon setting off to the stations, the were warned that their path would have been laid with landmines.

Two brave officers Sgt.Wijekumara and Corporal Nisagala from the bomb disposal squad took the initiative to clear the path for the rest and they went on their way.

1000hrs - At this moment, the Wing Commander had obtained control of Bravo 1 and Bravo 2 but a part of Bravo 3 was not fully under control.

At the defence lines when they took their positions at the point, Corporal Sumithkumara and his colleague suddenly heard an alarm sound and thereafter, about 200m away they heard a voice from a speaker giving orders in broken Sinhalese that was giving orders to fire at the enemy and to defend themselves.

However, suspecting enemy infiltration to their area, Corporal Sumithkumara with Corporal Bandara together with the help of three others - Corporal Udayakumara, Corporal M.H.Perera and Corporal L.S.Peiris started firing mortar from their respective positions at the place where they heard the alarm.

At this moment, Wing Commander Siriwardena had ventured inside the battlefield on an open patch and then the alarm sound was heard faintly. He gave the order to defend their positions and use maximum firepower against unknown enemy cadres who would have possibly trespassed in their territory.

Also the command for reinforcements was given and 10 teams were despatched to the area. They also spotted an 81 mortar on the road which was 100m from the front defence lines.

Eventually, Commander Nayakkara came to their rescue to help them out and they took mortar and hit at the enemy. Corporal Sumithkumara, armed with a 60 mortar, used maximum firepower at the jungle area where the suspected LTTE cadres were stationed with a mortar on standby as well.

Corporal Sumithkumara saw a black handkerchief falling from tree nearby and fired mortar at the tree when he saw two LTTE cadres falling down from it.

1800hrs - After the episode, they discovered many LTTE bodies in the deep jungle together with the two fallen LTTE cadres who had hidden on top of the tree. Corporal Sumithkumara is a legendary hero who had helped.

Most of those who fought that day, their lives were spared except for some injuries. Somehow Corporal Sumithkumara released a part of the defence lines from the wrath of the enemy which was commendable indeed.

Corporal Sumithkumara hails from the town of Yatiyantota and studied at the Yatiyantota Maha Vidyala and then for his Advanced levels at the Yatiyantota Central College. He is second in a family of five.

As with the training, his first posting was at Manikulum where this incident took place. Corporal Sumithkumara always liked to joined the armed forces and admits to having a special yearning to serve his beloved country.

He reminisces “From my small days I remember when my family was suffering because we lost our livelihood and I lost some of my relatives to the floods”. He professes to overcoming all obstacles to reach greater heights and this drove him to protect his country.

He says that the challenges you face in life will mould you in a strong person both mentally and physically and this is the key to his success. Corporal Sumithkumara has been awarded the RSP and will continue to serve his country as long as he can.