Maj. Gen. Hamangoda remembered

Every year on July 4 falls the sad remembrance of a wonderful gentleman, a born soldier - a man who served for a great cause, Major General A.S.S.K. Hamangoda. Exactly thirteen years ago this great officer was killed by a LTTE suicide bomber in Jaffna while he was serving as the 512 Brigade Commander.

On 04 July 1996 Maj. Gen. Ananda Hamangoda (posthumously promoted) was killed when a female suicide cadre blasted herself at the opening ceremony of a new Building Materials Corporation outlet in Stanley Road in Jaffna town for which Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva attended as the chief guest. The Minister had a narrow shave and escaped with minor injuries.

Born in 1950 on November 1 Ananda Hamangoda grew up to become a brilliant young man bringing glory to his alma mater Maliyadeva College Kurunegala and later to the glorious Sri Lanka Army as a valiant soldier and a strong sportsman. In 1971 young Hamangoda was awarded the gold medal for the most outstanding student of Maliyadeva.

His attraction to the Army was vivid since his early days in school. During his multi-faceted school career his commitment towards the school cadet team was praiseworthy. For seven years he served as a cadet in the junior as well as in the senior levels. He served as the cadet sergeant of the school cadet platoon and in 1969 he was the leader of school western music band.

His talents in sports showed great excellence. He received colours on many occasions for his success in sports. In 1971 he played for the school badminton team. From the beginning of his Army career in 1973, his enthusiasm towards sports never faded. During his progress from Cadet Officer to Major General, Hamangoda equally served the sports field as well as in the battle ground. He was a true gunner for his Artillery Regiment. Almost all the sports activities, especially athletic events never missed Hamangoda's participation. He rendered his valuable service to uplift the sports field in organising cycling and road races.

Until his sudden demise in 1996, late Maj. Gen. Hamangoda's sole ambition was winning the hearts and minds of innocent civilians living in Jaffna who suffered mentally and physically.

Late Maj. Gen. Hamangoda was simple and kind. He was aware of the heart beat of the Jaffna citizens where he served last. He was held in high esteem by all sections of the society in Jaffna. The sudden loss of this noble warrior was a great calamity and an unbearable blow to those who lived in Jaffna. In the period soon after Operation `Riviresa' late Maj. Gen. Hamangoda extended his helping hand to many schools in Jaffna to uplift their sports curricula.

Raised up to a higher rank, late Major General Hamangoda walked with kings yet never lost his touch with the common man. On his 13th death remembrance his beloved family and grateful friends showed their affection to this gentleman with an alms-giving they held at the Victoria Home in Rajagiriya.

It is a tribute to his character that brought serenity and peace to submerged and suppressed hearts as a soldier and as a humanist. The nation lost the grand character but the grateful memories still linger in the hearts and minds of patriotic citizens of the country. May his soul attain the eternal happiness of Nibbana.

DY