Ranaviru Lt Col Muthaliff bids adieu to his motherland amidst military honours

“There is nothing so pleasing as to be shot at by one\'s enemy without result” -Winston Chruchill

Commanding Officer, 1 st Regiment Sri Lanka Military Intelligence Corps Lieutenant Colonel T. N. Muthaliff RWP slain in LTTE gunfire on Tuesday (31), made his final journey to the burial grounds at Dehiwala Muhaideen Grand Jumma mosque for Janaza Wednesday (01) morning where his remains were laid to rest in conformity with Islamic traditions. Gun salute followed the full military honours accorded to his memory at the mosque premises.

The military parade with the presence of over five hundred military personnel from more than ten Regiments, perhaps an unprecedented event in the Dehiwala- Mount Lavinia precincts, solemnly wended

Two motorbike-riding LTTE gunmen, in what was seen as one of the most brutal terrorist attacks in the city suburbs after the cease-fire agreement was signed, struck Lt Colonel Muthaliff inside his official vehicle and fled the area. Commander of the Army Lt Gen Shantha Kottegoda, minutes after this dastardly crime was brought to his notice, rushed to the location, hospital and later on, to his residence to express his condolences to the bereaved.

Senior Officer Muthaliff, who has performed a yeoman service to his motherland at the risk of his own life, was posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on the recommendation of the Commander of the Army following a directive made by Her Excellency, the President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathunga. The Government as well as many other agencies condemned this terrorist act in strongest terms saying that this murder once again calls LTTE bona fides into question.

The Buddhist rites (Pansakulaya), led by Ven Athuraliye Ratana thera were also performed at his residence in Mount Lavinia before his remains were taken out for burial. Late Lt Colonel Muthaliff\'s wife, Major Kumudini Amarasinghe Muthaliff is also a serving Officer in the Sri Lanka Army Women\'s Corps. After the funeral procession reached Mount Lavinia center, his casket was placed in the VIP funeral hearse, to be followed by his next of kin, mourners, Senior Army, Navy and Air Force Officers and other members of the public.

The Army parade troops afterwards received their comrade\'s remains in front of the Municipality building close to the turn towards Dr Kotagama Wachissara Thera Road (Hospital Rd) and placed the Sanddak (casket) in the military gun carriage while the bereaved and Senior Army Officers looked on.

A large and distinguished gathering of religious dignitaries, members of the armed forces, politicians, patriots and all those who opposed terrorism in Sri Lanka began to pour out to the house of mourning since the moment tragedy struck until Wednesday morning. Lt Colonel T. N. Muthaliff was gunned down while he was on his way to the Kothalawala Defence Academy on Tuesday morning.

Commander of the Army Lt Gen Shantha Kottegoda, who paid visits during both days personally, supervised all funeral arrangements after talking to his slain Officer\'s next of kin. Hon. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksha was also among the few firsts who condoled with the bereaved family. Governor for Western Province Al Haj Alavi Moulana, representing Her Excellency attended the funeral on Wednesday. Secretary to People\'s Liberation Front (JVP) Wimal Weerawansa and a number of other Parliamentarians paid their respect to slain military leader after his remains were brought home.

His remains were accepted by priests led by Reverend Moulavis A. H. M Nilar, A. S. M Fairoz and M. Moulavi for Muslim Janaza and praying at the entrance to the mosque before his remains were laid to rest in accordance with Islamic funeral traditions.

Army Commander Lt. General Shantha Kottegoda, Deputy Chief of Staff Major General M. D. S Chandrapala and a host of Major Generals, Brigadiers, Colonels, Majors, Senior Officers and all other ranks were in attendance for the funeral.