Last Sunday, on 19th July 2025, I visited National War Memorial at Battaramulla, next to our National Parliament; the seat of Democracy.
This my yearly visit,( if I am in Sri Lanka) to pay my gratitude and respect to two of my close friends in uniform- one Army and other Navy – Colonel Fazly Laphir, PWV, RWP, RSP and Commander Prakrama Samaraweera, WWV, RSP, both paid Supreme Sacrifice during reinforcement attempt to besiege Mulativu Army Complex in July 1996; 29 years ago.
One Sri Lanka Light Infantry Corporal, who has joined Army in 2010, opened the gate for me and saluted. He has recognized me ! Two Army civilian workers were cutting grass with grass cutting machines. I was very impressed! Army keeping this National War Memorial at very high standards. Even on Sunday morning, they do their landscaping work and cleaning. Bravo Zulu to our Army ! Otherwise, place was deserted on this Sunday. The Corporal at gate said that I was the third person visited the Memorial during the weekend, other than two families of Army personnel who were considered Missing In Action (MIA) during Mulativu debacle 29 years ago.
I had enough time . After seeing the two names of my buddies; Fazly and Nalaka (Parakrama’s pet name was Nalaka), I decided to count names engaged in granite (their names cannot be erased) dated – 18th July 1996 and place- Mulativu with my escort Chief Petty Officer (SBS) Kumara. We together counted 1160 NAMES OF ARMY PERSONNEL and 34 NAVY PERSONNEL ! please do not forget these Heroes of our Nation. They have their parents and some wives / children and every day they remember their loved ones.
Can we forget them and supreme Sacrifices these gallant made to protect the Sovereignty and Territorial integrity of our country ?
May they rest in peace!
Please Google Colonel Fazly Laphir and Commander Parakrama Samaraweera to read their heroism acts at Mulativu battle. Fazly awarded with “Parama Wira Vibushanaya“ ( PWV), the highest Gallantry Medal in Sri Lanka and Commander Parakrama Samaraweera with “ Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya” ( WWV), the second highest Gallantry Medal of Sri Lanka for their efforts to save 1700 troops trapped in Mulativu from possible death by LTTE terrorist attack.
