“Valour is the soldier’s adornment” - Livy

THE UNSUNG VIJAYABAHU INFANTRY REGIMENT (VIR) War Heroes whose unmatched military prowess and unbeaten warfare skills during the final phase of the War for Peace resulted in the slaying of the world’s most ruthless terrorist leader, V. Prabhakaran, were hailed, commended and duly recognized Saturday (23) morning by none other than the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya himself who at that period of time served as their overall Commander for Wanni Security Forces.

Felicitation of those VIR War Heroes who joined hands together in the battlefield to strom LTTE supremo’s hideouts in and around Nandikandal lagoon, Puthukkudiyiruppu and brought death and destruction to the LTTE till the last, occurred at the VIR Regimental Headquarters at Boyagane, Kurunegala, headed by Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya gracing the occasion as Chief Guest.

The dignified occasion was both sentimental and monumental for them since each and every VIR Officer and Soldier who contributed wholeheartedly and valiantly for the execution of the LTTE death-monger of our times during the last leg of the humanitarian operation, were present to receive accolades from their one-time, Wanni Commander, now the Army Chief. 

As the entire VIR Regimental Headquarters has adorned ceremonial garbs, befitting the occasion, VIR senior officers have organized a string of other events also to coincide with the Commander’s visit to their headquarters. A special Guard Turnout plus a Guard of Honour greeted the visiting Commander of the Army at the outset after the Commander and Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President, Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) were received by Brigadier R.V. Samarathunge, Colonel of the Reegiment VIR on arrival at the premises.

Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya inaugurating the day’s itinerary declared open the newly constructed VIR Administrtive Building Complex, a project which was largely supported by VIR soldiers themselves. It houses all offices of the units and other logistic needs.

Honoured by his presence, all Officers and Other Ranks afterwards posed for a group photo with the Army Chief, a valuable token of memory to be treasured at home in the future. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya afterwards took time off to plant a tree-sapling also at the premises.

Next stop for the Commander was solemn and very moving as hundreds of Puthukkudiyiruppu War Heroes saluted their former Wanni Commander and received him with open arms, where he spoke to them in a touching manner. 

On the sidelines of the main programme, VIR Ladies’ Club members met their SVAB President Mrs. Jayasuriya separately. During this gathering a cash donation of Rs. 50,000/= to each of two disable War Heroes was made by the ladies who graced the occasion.

Commander of the Army speaking to those Puthukkudiyiruppu War Heroes in the 4 VIR Battalion hailed them as contemporary heroes who brought fame to the motherland, their regiment, the Army and to their families.

Here is the full text of his address on the occasion;
 
Senior Officers, Officers, Senior Non-Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks,

The 1st Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was added to the Sri Lanka Army as a new Battalion in 1988.  The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) which started in this manner had done a great and special service during Wanni humanitarian operations in order to defend the motherland’s sovereignty. The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was inaugurated by late Major General Vijaya Wimalarathna, a great and reputed commander in the Army. If this reputed commander is with us today, he would be humbly proud of the VIR special achievements gained during the humanitarian operations.  This Regiment which was raised with one Battalion later swelled to be joined with five more Battalions by 1990 at Sinhavilluwatta Army Camp in Puttalam.  The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment which started with 5 Battalions in this manner, has today grown to 26 Battalions and continues their proud forward march. 

I would like to remember with gratitude the great contribution made by the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment during collective efforts made to rescue the motherland by defeating terrorism which had gripped the country.  Another important feature that should be highlighted here is that it is the 4th Battalion of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment that saw the end of Velupillai Prabakaran, the gruesome terrorist leader ever-lived in this world during the final battles in the Nandikandal lagoon area.

As Security Forces Commander then in Wanni, I personally knew the forward march towards the Army’s wonderful victory faced all enemy challenges together. On the day of the final battle and the previous day, during my visits to the area I was able to give necessary instructions to officers and soldiers of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on the next course of action that should be taken and I still remember it with great pride. 

When the entire Army and the motherland faced an embarrassing situation at national and international level due to false information propagated by different parties to achieve narrow political gains, our Commander-in-Chief, HE the President told me personally that the Army would never be allowed to be plagued with such an embarrassment. All of you know well that I directly contributed to free the motherland by being with you at the battlefront while personally inquiring into your needs and giving necessary instructions.  So I flatly refused those false allegations, made on incidents at the battle front. I must stress that our Army which is highly disciplined never acted so inhumanly or without discipline. I always defend you and I never allowed anyone to scoff at the greatness and popularity achieved by our Army and I state this with great responsibility as Commander of the Army. 

Our Army is very talented and strong from its inception and up to the present moment. Some people issued statements discrediting our Army to gain petty political mileage. Army has never become unskilled but the political leadership and political management in the past not skilled. Our soldiers were confined to the camps by the so-called peace treaties. We were also discredited by such wrong political decisions. We have not forgotten that the brutish terrorists had even stoned our camps.  Due to these wrong political decisions victorious operations were abandoned following international pressure. That happened not due to un-skillfulness of the Army.  Some countries even refused to give us weapons during operations due to absence of proper political leadership.  We did not receive required ammunition and modern arms. But during the humanitarian operations under the political leadership of HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Commander-in-Chief all those problems were solved, I would like to remind you. It is not a boast that the Army was able to go to the battlefront with high morale and good mentality, without any pressure and shortcomings due to this correct political leadership. 

By this time a number of large projects such as pay hikes for you and provision of houses to War Heroes have been launched under the direct supervision of HE the President for the welfare of our War Heroes.  In addition, welfare activities carried out by the President and the members of Seva Vanitha Army Branch under my supervision continue further on a higher scale. After the humanitarian operations we now focus our attention to improve the welfare of our War Heroes and their families. Through training discipline and technology, let us make our Army the greatest professional Army in the world. It is my aim and determination, I must say with great responsibility and determination.

The officers and soldiers of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment who sacrificed their lives for the country, those who became disabled and those who got wounded and are still receiving treatment are remembered and I wish all of the injured quick recovery and I remember all of them with gratitude at this moment.

The duties and responsibilities for the motherland in the future are also countless. The main responsibility of us who are dedicated to protect the victory we achieved, is to help the government in development activities necessary for the resettlement of displaced persons rescued from Northern and Eastern areas during humanitarian operations. We must dedicate ourselves to create an environment for the entire Sri Lankans to live in Peace and Harmony while performing those responsibilities.

Finally, I appreciate all of you and your family members who always encourage you and give you the strength and I wish them always protection of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and the Sacred Tooth Relics.