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Take me to Elephant Pass I want to see the bulldozer my son destroyed
Sunday, 11 January 2009 - 9:19 PM SL Time
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My only wish is to visit Alimankada and see the LTTE bulldozer my son destroyed, says 61-year-old Y. L. Juliet, the mother of Army Corporal Gamini Kularathne, better known as Hasalaka Weeraya, who, in 1991, sacrificed his life to save his comrades by attacking an explosives-laden bulldozer driven by an LTTE suicide cadre in Elephant Pass.
On July 1, 1991, the young rifleman of the Sri Lanka Army Sinha Regiment prevented the LTTE bulldozer from entering the Elephant Pass Army camp by climbing on to the vehicle and immobilizing it by lobbing hand grenades.
The Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV) award for the bravery of highest order was conferred on him posthumously.
Near the turn off to Wasgamuwa at Hasalaka, a remote Kandy district town bordering the Moneragala district, stands his memorial. Around 100 metres away from the memorial, is his house.
Juliet cries at times. Yet, at other times, she smiles. Although she feels sad about the loss of her son, the second of six children, there s a sense of pride as she reflects over his sacrifice.
My husband was a farmer. He died when my son was small. After his death I started tilling the field. But it was only Gamini who worked properly with me in the fields. He got through the GCE Ordinary Level. But to help the family, he joined the Army, Juliet said, adding that her son was also a good debater and sportsman.
She also attended his passing out parade, she says reflecting on his early days in the army. Two of his friends also joined the army with him. He trained at the Konduwatuwana camp in Ampara. I went for his passing out parade. He served in Ampara, Palali, Kankesanturai before he was sent to Alimankada .
She says her son s main ambitions were to convert their little hut into a proper house and to help his younger brothers and sisters.
In his letters from the battlefront to his mother, Gamini hardly spoke about the war. He didn t like to talk much about the war. He used to tell me, Amma, don t worry about that. We will defeat the terrorists and save our country .
As he came home for the last time, he rushed out saying that he had to buy items for Vesak in Alimankada, says Juliet.
I didn t even get to see my son s body. They brought home a sealed box. I fainted when I saw that. But, I conducted my son s funeral with a sense of respect , she says adding, I received the Weeramatha Diriya Matha award.
Juliet says that following her son s death, the then President, Ranasinghe Premadasa, who came to pay his respects had, together with Mr. Tissa Attanayake, helped build their house, while President Mahinda Rajapaksa had also visited the family.
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ModGoviya
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 11 Jan 2009 18:26:25 GMT Report for Abuse
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Now the time has come to put aside all the differences and should work to wards a new Sri lanka under one flag. Use all our efforts to influence relevant people to start negotiations.
I disagree Ajithcy. Now, of all the times, is not the time for negotiations. Maybe after a couple of months. There can not, and will not be any peace with the LTTE leadership. They have always been part of the problem, not the solution. This is a simple fact that has been acknowledged even by US. Once they are taken out, and the misinformation is proven for its worth to the youngsters of the north, there will be a forum for dialogue. not until then.
If this mission, that the government seems to have identified and ccommitted in carrying out, is abandoned at this time, it is like spitting in Gamini's grave. |
magha
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 11 Jan 2009 22:18:59 GMT Report for Abuse
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minority Tamil rights should be equally given
Ajithcv,
Can you please high light what Tamil rights are not given today? |
Lion55
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 12 Jan 2009 02:53:07 GMT Report for Abuse
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This is a demand that should be thoroughly concerned by the government and the Sri Lankla Army.
Now the mother is 61 years old. Before she gets her eye sight weak, before she gets physically weak. And having seen the things she desires to see she must have a time to enjoy it. Therefore it should be done right now I think
Edited By - Lion55 - 12 Jan 2009 02:54:38 GMT |
Spetsnaz1
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12 Jan 2009 04:07:04 GMT Report for Abuse
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In his letters from the battlefront to his mother, Gamini hardly spoke about the war. He didn t like to talk much about the war. He used to tell me, Amma, don t worry about that. We will defeat the terrorists and save our country.
well at least he will be at peace.. knowing how the very terrorists he bravely fought against are now running for their lives.. lets hope his mother will be given that wish.. to visit that place.. but it might be not a good idea right now until the proper security clearance is done around the EP.. either ways Hasalaka Veeraya will never be forgotten..
Edited By - Spetsnaz1 - 12 Jan 2009 04:09:24 GMT |
Vishnu
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 14 Jan 2009 04:57:40 GMT Report for Abuse
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i think we have to be true to ourselves and ask have we considered them equally..
Does equally mean 50:50? ha...ha...
Dear Ajith,
Words spoken by Pandits who preach us fancy concepts of political solutions, negotiations, human rights etc. have no real meaning at all. They just repeat those words like parrots once injected with dollars and the rest follows. Isn't it shameless that you or those pandits to date have no clear answer to Maga's question? |
sela36
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 14 Jan 2009 05:13:10 GMT Report for Abuse
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explosives-laden bulldozer driven by an LTTE suicide cadre in Elephant Pass
There was no explosives in the dozer, they tried to use it to distroy centy points, in front it was covered with railway tracks and side with plates which is used to hold the railway tracks and slippers. if there was explosives and when a granade falls in will anything remain?
It was driven by LT Col Sara who died in that attack, they planed to use two dozerss one with an mechanical defect is still in Palai area you can see it while travelling in A9 road. |
kiwikanga
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 14 Jan 2009 08:27:12 GMT Report for Abuse
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How about showing her the bulldozer and the road-roller that are going about destroying the entire country?
Unfortunately Gamini is not around to jump in front of those!
Edited By - kiwikanga - 14 Jan 2009 08:29:30 GMT |
Marksman
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19 Jan 2009 05:19:04 GMT Report for Abuse
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Unfortunately Gamini is not around to jump in front of those!
haha, dukai ne da machan ? hahaha
No life attempts at MR yet ? perhaps MR paid VP a grand some for that ? dont you think ? hikzzzzz |
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