Air-dropped into enemy terrain

Blocking the enemy's route meant placing one's body and soul in the path of the LTTE. But fear seemed to be the last thing on the minds of the soldiers.

When a thirty-one-year-old bachelor decides to dedicate his whole life towards fighting to save his motherland, it seems like a drop of determination in a mighty ocean.

Yet acts of bravery carried out with selfless loyalty go a long way in winning a battle and more importantly in reducing the death and casualty figures of the troops. This is why men like Sergeant HMSKP Herath, though a drop in the mighty ocean, personify the very lifeblood of courage.

Increased

January 25 was a hot day in Paranthan. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam never had it so good. In fact, they were all over - and the Sri Lanka army knew that too. Increased enemy activity necessitated an operation to save Paranthan from the LTTE.

This was the most important task that fell into the hands of the army. The Sri Lanka army had to block all roads leading to Paranthan and thereby stop the enemy from coming into the city. Hence, the Mullaitivu-Paranthan road and the Pooneryn-Paranthan roads had to be blocked. It meant facing the approaching enemy and stopping him in his course. It also meant putting oneself, heart and body in the very face of the enemy. But it had to be done.

Chopper

Soon it was time to decide on what course of action ought to be taken. Hence Commanding Officer Colonel Roshan Silva called his men and commanded that 20 soldiers be ready to board the chopper. It was to take them to the Paranthan-Mullaitivu road. But the task was not as simple as going in a chopper and getting off. It involved a discreet and careful smuggling of troops into enemy terrain, without much ado. The journey proved hazardous and risky. Besides, the chopper was making more noise than expected and it was feared that it may be attracting too much attention. Now, it was three miles away - on the Paranthan - Mullaitivu road.

Bloodshed

Despite the bloodshed and vileness of man, nature was at its best here. The area was a sea of green - with paddy fiends and trees as far as the eye could reach.

The soldiers were dropped eight feet off the ground. As the twenty men jumped off the chopper in broad daylight, they knew of only one immediate and urgent task and that was to stop the enemy from approaching on the Mullaitivu-Paranthan road. Meanwhile, an operation had started from Killinochchi to Paranthan. Barely five minutes before they landed, the LTTE, fearless in their approach, began to pour out - like waves in an angry sea. They came from all sides, clad in combat clothes - weapons in hand. They were truly geared for war. Now, the LTTE begun their attack. The soldiers soon ran for cover. It seemed as if even before they could take a deep breath after their fall to earth, they had to fight for dear life. The enemy had sprung on them suddenly.

For four hours the fight went on. From one shootout to the other. Then thankfully, the soldiers heard the whirring of a helicopter. The airforce began to cover the area and offer an unmatched airsupport. Soon, the Sri Lankan forces were in control.

Their task now was to take over the Paranthan camp which was in the hands of the LTTE. The troops in Paranthan itself were saved because of the bravery of the men who were air-dropped and were fast enough to regain both mental and physical balance in time to oust the agility of a fearful enemy.

Their alertness and blockage of the Paranthan Mullaitivu road showed a short cut to success to the Sri Lankan troops.

Resultantly, the soldiers of the army saw less casualties and even lesser deaths. For the valiant acts Sergeant Herath was decorated with the Rana Sura Padakkama. But Herath's acts of courage did not stop with a medal. He continued his selfless fight for Sri Lanka.

At the height of Operation Balavegaya in July 1991, Herath found himself once again in the height of the war. The unit to which Herath belonged found themselves three miles off Vettikerny, northern Sri Lanka.

About 30 soldiers were proceeding ahead. It was just then that, like a flash of lightning, a colleague, Lt. Kumara was shot and killed by the enemy. Soon they were being fired at from all sides.

It was impossible to discover from where the shots were coming. Injured soldiers were soon falling down. But Sergeant Herath was well, was crawling... He crawled amidst gunfire and began to pull the injured soldiers to the rear end.

Suddenly, Herath discovered that his hand had gone numb. But this was no time to look at his hand he thought, not now, when the lives of the fallen soldiers were in his hands itself. Commanding Officer Major Thanne too was keen to have the injured soldiers taken to safety.

The pain in Herath's hand became so unbearable that he decided to have a look at it. It was only then that he discovered that his forefinger had been blown away.

Yet, Herath continued his task of getting the injured to safety. He was again decorated with the Rana Wickrema Padakkama. "I did it for my country and did not expect any medals at that time," said Sergeant Herath. "If I have to do it all over again, I certainly will," he added.

(The Sunday Leader - 10th January 1999)