Lt. Gen. Parami Kulatunga's fifth death anniversary

By Ravi LADDUWAHETTY

Lieutenant General Parami Sugandika Bandara Kulatunga, Sri Lanka Army's former Deputy Chief of Staff and third most senior military General at the time of his assassination and whose fifth death anniversary falls today, will be remembered with both affection and respect for the role that he played in the Northern theatre of war against the LTTE.

He will be remembered as a man with a heart by his peers and a grateful nation for the major roles he played in the Vedamarachchi operation in 1987 in the liberation of the Jaffna peninsula where he was a Junior Commanding Officer under the guidance of another slain General- Lt. General Denzil Lakshman Kobbekaduwa and also the Operation Balavegaya I and II in 1991 and 1992 which saved Elephant Pass.

The main military decorations Kulatunga received included Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP), Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP), Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, Riviresa Campaign Services Medal, Poorna Bhumi Padakkama, North and East Operations Medal, Desha Putra Sammanaya amongst others. In 2008, he was posthumously awarded the Vishista Seva Vibhushanay (VSV), the second-highest ranked medal for gallantry.

It was at around 7 am on June 26, 2006, that fateful day, five years ago to the day, today. He left his Kendalanda Residence at around 7 a.m., earlier than usual, en route to the Army Headquarters. But, it was only up to Pannipitiya that he could travel up to.

A motorcycle rammed into his vehicle. The rider, it transpired later, was a LTTE suicide bomber. A gigantic explosion ensued. The LTTE, licking the wounds of annihilation in combat in the North, had struck in Colombo. They got their principal target.

It was with the utmost difficulty that the passengers were retrieved, amidst the vehicle going up in flames. They were taken to the closest hospital. Also in the vehicle were his personal Security Officer-Staff Sergeant Buddhika Madhuranga and the driver - private A.R. Gomes.

Prior to their being admitted to hospital, the inevitable happened, leaving thousands of patriotic Sri Lankans in mute grief. All patriots will remember him with pride.