War heroes honoured

Text and pix by Dhaneshi Yatawara

All the special invitees at the Gajaba Regiment Headquarters in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura were just average farmers or day wage workers living in the ancient ‘Rajarata’ for centuries. They loved the country and they were well aware of the true value of this land.

Thus, these innocent and humble parents allowed their sons to leave them and join the security forces to protect the motherland from the LTTE - the ruthless group of terrorists who were to break and demolish our precious motherland. It was this average farmer’s son who saved the country.

But today the parents are left alone as their sons made the supreme sacrifice in their mission of saving the land from separatists. This special group of people, who were anxiously waiting in the big hall set up especially for the event - the parents, wives, children, sisters and brothers of our fallen heroes were to receive the highest award of the nation for their selfless motives and sacrifice. More than 4000 family representatives were present.

“We know the loss and the loneliness you feel can never be filled,” addressing the gathering Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said. “This is an award from the President, Ministry of Defence and from the people of the country greatly appreciating your immortal sacrifice to the nation. Please wear this medal on the right side of the dress at every important event as you are deserved to be treated special,” Rajapaksa said.

Director Operations SLA Maj.Gen. Shavendra Silva presents the medals at the ceremony

Sujeewani (right) with her mother-in-law

“Though we award soldiers for their special services and extensive courage and bravery during crucial operations, we thought it is highly necessary to award the families for their commitment and sacrifice for the country,” he added.

It was these parents who sent their sons to the war front, it was their wives who strolled the family forward without the husbands’ support and it was these little children who faced life bravely while their father went to protect the land for all the children. For these people life was not a bed of roses.

“Though the war is over it is our duty to serve and care for those who gave - the disabled soldiers, their families and the families of those who were killed in action,” Chairperson of the Ranaviru Seva Authority Padma Wettewa said.

“We are aware that some of the people treat these families correctly but unfortunately still there is a section of people within us who are forgetting the real heroes. So it is highly important to especially treat them recognizing them,” she said.

Sujeewani Dissanayake from Kebithigollewa is just 21 years old and today she is a widow. She attended the event with her mother-in-law to receive the award for her husband’s bravery.

Dingiri Menike unable to bear the grief S. Subramanium displays the medal he recieved

“I’m lost. I really do not know what to do now,” Sujeewani said - her eyes filled with tears. Both being from poor peasant families Sujewani married Corporal Sugath Chandrasekara after being lovers for five years. She was his sweetheart from school days. Corporal Sugath died in action on January 16, 2009 in Killinochchi while serving under the Third Gajaba Battallion.

“I sacrificed every thing for him and today I’m alone. I know I must keep my head straight but I still haven’t gained the strength,” she said weeping. Sujeewani is not alone.

There thousands of widows of brave soldiers struggling to win life.

S. Subramanium from Nochchiyagama was there to receive his award for his son Lance Corporal Thushara Pathmathilaka’s bravery. For Subramanium race or ethnicity never mattered. “I’m from Kegalle and got married from Nochchiyagama and settled down in my wife’s village,” he said. His son died on May 08, 1998 in Ussan Mirusuvil.

Dingiri Menike (66) lost her brave son last year in April in Puthumathalan. Her son, Susantha Kumara Abeykoon, was 24 years when he made the supreme sacrifice to his motherland. “I have five sons and four daughters and Susantha was the youngest,” she said. “I came alone today because my husband was feeling sick due to high blood pressure,” Dingiri Menike said.

Under the massive tent where the event was held there were thousands and thousands of people carrying similar stories.

According to Padma Wettewa there are nearly 28,000 soldiers who are killed in action and another 28,000 disabled in the war against terrorism during the past 30 years.

“Considering the families affected, we have to care for nearly 70,000 families in total,” Padma Wettewa said explaining the gravity of the workload on the Ranaviru Seva Authority.

“A lot of service in this regard is done by Seva Vanitha Units of the Ministry of Defence and of the three forces but the number of people in need is large and now it is the time for the entire society to start looking after these families,” she added.

Wrongdoers can be found every where in the society but that should not black list the entire category. These soldiers, sons of the poor farmers, bravely marched forward amidst showers of mortars, artillery and bullets from the enemy. They are true cause of the victory we celebrate and enjoy today.