SL Army soldiers died in Haiti flown home for military honours

The Sri Lankan Airlines flight (UL504) saw mortal remains of two Sri Lanka Army soldiers who sacrificed their lives in Haiti while serving UN peacekeeping troops, fly home on Thursday (31) afternoon for their final journey in life, as arrangements are under way to accord them funerals with full military honours in Sri Lanka.

The home-bound flight, organized and cleared with active support received from the Government, Foreign Ministry, Sri Lankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Air Force, Airport Aviation authorities, Sri Lanka Customs, Diplomats and so on, touched down the Sri Lankan soil at 2.28 p.m. and taxied along the tarmac at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo as their Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI), Major General Nanda Mallawarachchi with his Senior Officers awaited their passage through the terminal.

Commander of the Army, Lt General Shantha Kottegoda after necessary directives were given to his Senior Officers took a personal interest to get down those mortal remains by overseeing all co-ordination and flight arrangements, etc until their corpses reached home today (31).

Logistical problems in Haiti and air transport, beyond the control of the Sri Lanka Army, however delayed dispatch of their corpses back home.

After coffins inched their way out of the airport to an auditorium beside, fellow-soldiers of the Army honoured them by draping their coffins in National Flag. Pallbearers then carried the coffins out as soldiers stood in attention with present of arms until the remains were placed in funeral cars to be taken to funeral undertakers in Colombo. Funeral arrangements are to be notified later. Here follow brief accounts of them ;

Corporal H.M. Wijesinghe (S/310553)

Corporal H.M. Wijesinghe (S/310553) of the 6th Battalion of Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment was killed during a peacekeeping operation in Petit-Goave on March 20, 2005 when the UN troops stormed to take control of a Police station from a terrorist group. He was born on 12 March 1971 in Dambulagala, attended school up to G.C.E (O/L) at Maspenna Central College in Badulla before he joined the Sri Lanka Army on 26 March 1996 to undergo training at Diyatalawa. During wartime, he contributed to a number of anti-terrorist operations such as 'Kinihira I, II, III, IV, V' and 'Jayasikuru'. To his credit he was decorated with Ranasura Padakkama, (RSP) Purnabhumi Padakkama, (PBP) North & East Operation Medal and the Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal before he left for the UN assignment on 27 October 2004.

He leaves behind his three-year old son, Dilupa Shehan, his wife, Mrs. R. R. M. S. Rajapaksha and parents, Mr. H.M. Kiribanda and Mrs. Muthu Menika.

Lance Corporal J.B.A.J. Jayasinghe (S/309967)

Lance Corporal J.B.A.J. Jayasinghe (S/309967) of the 10th Battalion of Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment died at Manusta hospital, Argentina on 21 March 2005 due to an accident while on UN peacekeeping duties. He was born on 19 April 1977 in Tangalle and followed up to G.C.E. (O/L/) in Kudahilla Central College in Beliatta.

He joined the Sri Lanka Army on 21 December 1995 to undergone training at Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Trincomalee. He took part in anti-terrorist operations such as Riviresa, Jayasikuru, Water Set, Rivibala, Rangosa I and II, Rivikirana and Agnikhila. He received decorations, Deshaputhra Smmanaya, Sri Army 50th Anniversary Medal, 50th Independents Anniversary Commemoration Medal, North & East Operations Medal as well as the Purnabhumi Padakkama in recognition of his services to the Army before he left for overseas on UN assignments. He has also followed Basic Driving Course, Cook Course, Air Mobile Course and a few others. He leaves behind his father, Mr. J.B.A. Surasena of Beliatta.