Nilma Dole
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A bravehearted man of dignity

?I did my best to salvage the situation and went on full throttle at them while one by one the cadres were struck down? says Corporal Tennekoon. Afterwards, the situation was brought under control by him and his team and managed to help out Corporal Gamalath who was now bad casualty.

?Corporal Gamalath was only 22 years when he died who was engaged to be married to his childhood sweetheart?

Lance Corporal Gamalath, a true patriot laid down his life in the line of duty for his country. His moving story was related to us by his colleague, Corporal Tennekoon of the Two Commando regime.
Time: 0900hrs
Date: 17th December 2007
Location: Mannaram

Deep in the heart of the Mannathum jungle, near the Madapum river, there were LTTE bunkers ?strewn? all over in the undergrowth. Corporal Tennekoon was put in charge of a 8 member team to clear the area of enemy bunkers.

Despite the day of being a wet one with plenty of monsoon showers, Corporal and his men were assigned the task of getting rid of LTTE cadres in the bunkers.

?As we moved forward, we could see, at a short distance of 4 metres LTTE cadres hovering near bunkers and, we started firing? the Corporal said.

In retaliation, the LTTE cadres also went on the defensive and the fighting intensified. However, as Corporal Tennekoon ventured forward with his men, his colleague Corporal Gamalath was shot on his chest. One of the members rushed to his side while we continued with the attack.

I did my best to salvage the situation and went on full throttle at them while one by one the cadres were struck down? says Corporal Tennekoon. Afterwards, the situation was brought under control by him and his team and managed to help out Corporal Gamalath who was now bad casualty.

0930hrs: Corporal Gamalath was presumed as dead despite attempts to sustain his life. The rest of the team under the supervision of Corporal Tennekoon has now been victorious in securing the bunker but saddened by the death of their fellow fighter.

Corporal Gamalath was from Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district and attended the local school there. He had joined the Army in 1997 and was trained together with Corporal Tennekoon in the B division.

?Corporal Gamalath was only 22 years when he died who was engaged to be married to his childhood sweetheart?, Corporal Tennekoon related. Corporal Gamalath will be remembered as a true hero who had toiled in the heat for his beloved Motherland.

He received the decorations of PWWP and the RWP which emphasises how true a soldier he really was.