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20 ;sia y;a jk l,dmh
I am not leaving you! We both will die together!” steering. His crew fought to the death. There
and went inside the bridge to give more thrust were only two survivors, and they were picked
to his engines. However, we survived that day to up by a FAC, they said they last saw Nalaka on
fight another day. The unbelievable comradeship the bridge firing at the enemy with his rifle. He
of Nalaka! refused to abandon his ship, like a true Naval
Officer, instead opted to fight to the death.
He got married to Achini and had two
We lost him out at sea. His body was never
sons Samitha and Bhathiya. He was a very
recovered.
proud father. It was always a very pleasant
sight to see Nalaka coming for Rugby practices Achini refused to accept the fact that
to the Welisara ground sharp at 4 pm, walking he was killed in action. She waited for him to
from his married quarters, Rugby jersey on his come home one day and slowly lost her hopes
shoulder, boots around his neck, two kids under when years go by. Commander Parakrama
his armpits and Achini trailing behind him. He Samaraweera was later awarded Weera
was a real family man and set a great example Wickrama Vibushanaya for his bravery and
for us. valour shown in the face of the enemy off
Mullaithivu seas. His elder son Samitha collected
When I was dating Yamuna, he was a
the gallantry medal from H.E. the President on
great supporter to me. His humble married
his late father’s behalf. His two young sons lost
quarter was always opened for us to meet.
their beloved father.
Achini ensured that Yamuna always sat next
to her when they come to see the Navy Rugby Later in their lives, the two sons joined
matches. the Navy following their father’s footsteps.
Elder Son Samitha, who is studious and silent,
On 18th July 1996 at 1.30 am, LTTE
qualified as a Navy doctor. The younger son,
terrorists attacked Mullattivu Army complex.
who is a replica of his father with his height,
The attack was led by LTTE Leader Balraj.
walk, smile and mischievous acts, joined the
Suicide cadres of LTTE breached the Northern
Navy as a Logistician and played Rugby for the
perimeter of the complex and by the first light of
Navy. The void created by the untimely demise
18th July, Mullattivu was falling. Reinforcement
of their father will never be able to fill.
troops arrived from Jaffna and Trincomalee
in ships and landing craft and SLNS
Ranaviru, Commanded by Nalaka was
tasked to provide protection to the Sea
Convoy that had reached off Mullattivu
by mid-day on the 19th.

Nalaka provided Naval Gunfire
Support from the Southern flank off
Alampil for troops to be disembarked at
Nalaka Bhathiya Samitha
the beach. The landing was unsuccessful.
Ships came under heavy enemy attack. My Son
Sea Tigers were trying to target the Landing
My son is Ravindra Sathyajith
Craft with their low profile suicide boats.
Wijegunaratne, known to friends as “Ravi
Since the landing was unsuccessful, Junior” is 26 years old now. His smart, strong
orders were issued to withdraw. Nalaka and and inspiring personality constantly reminds
his crew fought valiantly to protect the troop Yamuna and me what is most important in our
carrying ships and Landing Craft until they clear lives.
the critical area.
Fifteen years back, when I was the
Nalaka’s Gun Boat was hit by an enemy Defence Adviser and First Secretary of the Sri
suicide boat, and he lost control of the ship’s Lanka High Commission in New Delhi, India, I