Untimely death of an officer and gentleman

By Ananda Agalakada

SP Prasad Siriwardena's sister Nirosha Siriwardena who is very sad over the death of her beloved brother said that on that fateful day Prasad while leaving for work he had asked her whether she would cry in the event he died -a premonition of the fate that befell this man of the people, an absolute proof that death lay in wait for him in the vicinity of Hunnana

My brother's words on the eve of his death still ring in my ears. Why did he ask this question? Everytime I recall what he said I cannot come to terms with the way he met his end. I can't bear what he told me at the last minute.

SP(posthumous)Prasad Siriwardena

He was such a good brother. He is irreplaceable. So far luck had always been on his side but this time around luck outplayed him.

She was sobbing while relating the story to us. His brother Mahinda Siriwardena said "My brother was a brave police officer. He was dead against the drug menace which is ruining our younger generation. He was all out to eradicate it at any cost.

We thought that he might die at the hands of a drug peddler or a drug baron but ironically he met his end while answering the call of duty.

'My brother was a strict disciplinarian and wanted to inculcate this in the people in his area which is well-known for criminal activity. He spared no pains towards this end. The remains of SP Prasad Siriwardena was brought last Wednesday to the Borella Police station- his final serving station.

A large number of mourners from all walks of life paid their last respects to the great officer and gentleman in the presence of family members high ranking officials and colleagues of the police department. His funeral took place at the Borella cemetery amidst a large gathering . He was given with full police honours. A large number of police officers have sacrificed their lives while carrying out their duty and the latest victims was SP Prasad Siriwardena who bade good bye to the nation last evening at the Borella General cemetery.SP Prasad Siriwardena was born in Kelaniya Gonawela in 1969. W.D. Siriwardena and Irin Grace Perera were his parents. He was the fourth among other siblings.

Grieving sister

He studied at the Sri Dharmaloka Vdyala and Gurukula Vidyala. Prasad Siriwardena achieved what he dreamed in his childhood to be a police officer and sacrificed his life for the people by enrolling as a regular officer in the Sri Lanka police.

In 1989, he joined the Kalutara police training school as a Sub Inspector. After passing out he joined the Kirulapona police. In 1997 he was promoted as Inspector of Police.

With his efficiency, hard and brave work in his tenure he was promoted as Chief Inspector in 2003.

Prasad Siriwardena served many police stations in the country as Officer-In-Charge. He was admired by the people wherever he worked in the country. As a police officer he always kept in touch with the masses while doing his duty.

While he was patrolling with his men he responded as a rule to dispatchers and emergency operators. He had gave clear and concise instructions to the requirements and documents needed by people who sought his service. He did not hesitate or shy away before the queries made by the people and he was talented to use good judgement and to solve problems giving a good example to other police officers. SP Prasad Siriwardena had won many awards as well as cash rewords. He recovered weapons and ammunition which were stolen from the Kuliyapitiya weapons stores in 1997. His skill in astute police operations came into the open with the Kuliyapitiya incident.

While he was working at the Ratnapura police he handled the Samanalakanda case, where a man had killed a huge elephant to obtain its precious ivory. It was not long ago that Prasad Siriwardena arrested the rogue with the two ivory tusks in his possession.

He obtained hundreds of thousands of rupees as cash rewards as a result of his ability and how he handled the case to recover the two precious tusks.

There was an instance where floods suddenly inundated many areas in Ratnapura and left a lot of people stranded. The clever police officer Prasad never took a back step in such calamities and he had jdived into the water to save the people who were desperately struggling to save their lives from the gushing waters.

He won many medals and 500 accolades for his achievements for the services he rendered. The people of the area could not come to terms with the tragedy that had befallen their beloved police officer whom they fondly called "honda inspecter mahattaya".

SP Prasad Siriwardena was injured and died during the unrest in Thunnana, Hanwella last Sunday. He was injured when a tree which was cut by protestors in Thunnana fell on him during a protest conducted against a rubber factory in the area by the residents. He was promoted to the rank of Superintendent of police (SP) posthumously on the recommendation of IGP N.K.Ilangakoon

Pix: Lionel Perera, Kelaniya Spl. Cor.