Ethnicity- no role to play in conflict

Nilma Dole

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One of the braves people on board P-465, instrumental in protecting the 'Pride of South' vessel which was carrying Army soldiers from KKS to PPD was Petty Officer S. R. A. Rathnam.

He is a Tamil by birth which goes to show that ethnicity doesn't play a role in conflict. He explained "Even though we might belong to the same race, LTTE are terrorists and I, joined the Navy to protect our Motherland from people like them".

Time: 0500hrs
Date: 16th September 2001
Location: Near PPD

The icecold waters near the PPD were already warming up in the midst of fierce fighting. The LTTE boats were all out to destroy and sink the "Pride of South" which was carrying the soldiers but to no avail.

The P465 brilliantly fought through the LTTE dragnet, under the supervision of the Lt. Commander Hevawitarana. They were geared in protecting the carrier and did their best to thwart the attack.

As the LTTE boats drew closer, the Navy personnel on board the P-465 were using maximum firepower from all sides of the boat. Petty Officer S. R. A. Rathnam reminisces, "I was using a 25mm gun which I directed at the LTTE boat and it was a tough and face battle". With pride of south in mind, the Petty Officer did as much as he could on the defencive from his end within a team of 14 other Navy personnel.

1300hrs: Eventually, reinforcements were summoned from Trincomalee, when Commander T. P. Halaldeen on board the P472 was on its way to rescue them. "But by the time we called for reinforcements we had lost some men and I had to think of an alternative action plan to hold fort till then", remembers the Petty Officer.

He never gave up and fought on until he got shots in his leg and in his ear. At that time, even though he was struck down, he did as much as he could from the ground to ensure others were protected.

"I would do my best for the country and I shall do as much as it takes me in order to defeat terrorists in this country", Petty Officer Rathnam said. Commenting that all Tamils in this country aren't terrorists.

He expressed his gratitude for his recruitment to the armed forces which was not based on ethnicity.

Petty Officer S. R. A. Rathnam's who hails from Bandarawela attended Bandarawela Dharmapala Maha Vidyalaya. His interest in joining the Forces was because his late brother-in-law Sgt S. R. Ranjith had also served in the Army.

Rathnam underwent training at the Boosa Training camp and counts nearly 13 years of service in the Navy. (Today, he has garnered decoration of RWP (Ranawaka Padama) and remains a true-spirited and a dignified sailor, to continue to serve the country.

"I will continue to protect my country because I believe that terrorists should surrender first and give us a peaceful tomorrow for, the Tamils, for, I am one of them too. The people of Sri Lanka should live together in harmony and accept all races as one in one, nation", he wound up.