Saturday 11 October 2008

Farewell General Sir...

Perera

With eyes full of tears, she begged me not to go, for the sake of their future. However, I was determined to go. When Elephant pass and Jaffna were about to fall, the officers in Jaffna called me and said that they would perish unless I come and save them. This compelled me to ask for permission from General Weerasuriya to go to north. I told my daughter, that if I stayed back, one family would be pleased, but 32,000 security personnel would perish, leaving their families in woe and misery - Maj Gen Perera prior to taking over the post of OOC Jaffna, April 2000 (Excerpts from interview with Tissa Ravindra Perera).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


October 6th, 2008 a dastardly act of terrorism took away one giant tower of strength of the Sri Lankan armed forces. Major General Janaka Perera who fought with valour and vigour for 34 years to safeguard his country from the scourge of terrorism is to take the journey to his last resting place today.

General Sir, you were a real officer and charming gentleman and above all a very professional soldier, who always had your subordinates in mind. Your daily radio addresses calling us "Maage abheetha weerodara puthanuweni (My brave sons)" and bunker hops made us feel we were secure and defeat a long way away. Most of all you made us feel we were all worthy; worthy enough to be your own son. You gave us hope when there was none.

The President said that she had sent Lakshman Kadirgamar to arrange Indian ships to evacuate the soldiers and asked for our opinion. The Defence Chiefs, Defence Secretary and the Defence Minister were at the meeting, but no one answered. I told the President not to do it and explained to her that we would not be able to save at least 10,000 soldiers, if this plan was carried out. I said that the only way left for us was to fight and that I would take up that responsibility. - Maj Gen Perera prior to taking over the post of OOC Jaffna, April 2000 (Excerpts from interview with Tissa Ravindra Perera).

General Sir, Sleep well. We shall meet again. Perhaps in the same land where terrorism will long be eradicated, where racial animosity will be a thing of history and where every citizen will treat each other with nobility and dignity irrespective of political clout. May you attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.

He only, in a general honest thought
And common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world 'This was a man!'

This was Janaka Perera...

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

General Janka Perera sir, may you attain nibbana!

Unknown said...

May you attain nibbana Sir, You will forever live in our hearts and empower our minds and give us strength to keep evils from this great land of ours.

I salute you.

Another leader, tactician lost to us. But in their memory we shall not falter nor surrender. Not one step back, this line we hold..or die trying.

londonistan said...

Long Ranger,

A touching tribute.

Sam Perera said...

Long Ranger,

I am with you. May he be born again in our homeland to lead us!!

Unknown said...

Our people still haven't learnt a lesson what happens to us and how our enemy benefits when we are too busy fighting amongst ourselves...
The nation had lost one if it's bravest sons, a man who served the country not only from a political stage also in the trenches fighting our common enemy...
we should be ashamed of ourselves for allowing this to happen...
Even after his death, was he treated fairly??? or were we color blind with blue, green lenses???
It's high time those who blindly support politicians wake up from their dream and see things as they stand... we should force our leaders to treat people fairly...
If that was done maybe this would have never happened... Even when it did, we should have treated this national hero with much more respect than he finally got from the country he fought for with his life...

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/081012/Columns/political.html

Magik said...

Remember sir, great people do great things. They never fear to fight when things matters a lot.They surely, bring good hope for people around them, on the other side hardest time for enemies.Thanks for being such a precious person. we as a one country waits for you.Again these are our true blessings for you sir.

Magik said...

Remember sir, great people do great things. They never fear to fight when things matters a lot.They surely, bring good hope for people around them, on the other side hardest time for enemies.Thanks for being such a precious person. we as a one country waits for you.Again these are our true blessings for you sir.

sldf said...

Long Ranger,
You just put up the best tribute I saw to this great son of Lanka. Apart from his great political ambitions and affiliations General Perera is a hero who served his men and the country well. His achievements in JVP time, Weli Oya and 2000 along with current commander Sarath Fonseka will always be remembered.

Also LR, I see that Nachchikuda is encircled and expect to fall to SLA with a week. Clearly paving the way the next phase for 58 to concentrate on south of Pooneryn sector and cut off logistics support to entire west coast if this has not already happened. As for 57 apart from Killi next major strategic target would be Paranthan. An update on these developments will be appreciated.

Raptor said...

Long Ranger, I feel your pain. I also lost someone dear to me, Maj Gen Percy Fernando, who served with Janaka, I will never forget him. He had such a profound impact on my life. What a waste this war is, robbing us of wonderful and genuine human beings and leaving us with bottom of the gutter individuals.

C. Coin said...

Thank You Sir.