Death of a Friend in Sri Lanka
January 2nd 2008 02:05
Death of a Friend in Sri Lanka
It is never good to hear bad news about friends and less so when such people are good, well mannered and honest. Hence it is with sadness that I write this post.
We just received word that a friend who was an officer in the Sri Lankan Navy has been killed in the last few days. I cannot release the person’s name for one obvious reason; his family may be targeted by the LTTE in retribution. Such is the nature of a civil war.
There have been some very fierce battles with the LTTE (Tamil Tigers) in the north of the island lately and casualties on both sides. Media reports have claimed that over 40 Tigers have been killed in one day. Yet news reports rarely explain beyond numbers and interesting anecdotes. They do not know the people behind the statistics.
A news report does describe some detail of what happened stating that one officer and 10 sailors were killed. A close friend from Sri Lanka and relative of this man has said that his body and one other have been recovered but the rest are still missing at sea.
As a person we remember this man with fondness for his manner and generosity. He was not merely an officer but also a gentleman. You could see it in the way that he spoke to his subordinates and to his fellow officers. Even as a front line fighter who had to face the enemy he never had a bad word to say about any Tamil, nor for that matter did he harbour any hate for his enemy. He was a professional doing his duty to protect his nation and not a fanatic on a holy crusade.
We last met with him as a family in Sri Lanka in 2003 where the he gave us a tour of the ship he was serving. It was a troop carrier landing ship capable of carrying over 100 with large doors in the bow. The rest of the ship was typically cramped and Spartan with only captain having something halfway decent. Mesh was welded to the outside of the ship to deflect rocket attacks. Despite the heavy security we were given a tour that few others would be allowed and everything about the working of the ship was explained. He also explained to the children the naval tradition of how the navy salute differently than the army or air force. Palm toward the forehead.
On the way back home he stopped at a beach side so that I could film a man collecting todi from the tops of Palm trees. He was thinking about joining the commandos.
He was a young man engaged to be married and had just completed building a two story home.
May he rest in peace and I am certain that he deserves to do so.
Here is a news story that explains what happened:
Really Long Link
It is never good to hear bad news about friends and less so when such people are good, well mannered and honest. Hence it is with sadness that I write this post.
We just received word that a friend who was an officer in the Sri Lankan Navy has been killed in the last few days. I cannot release the person’s name for one obvious reason; his family may be targeted by the LTTE in retribution. Such is the nature of a civil war.
There have been some very fierce battles with the LTTE (Tamil Tigers) in the north of the island lately and casualties on both sides. Media reports have claimed that over 40 Tigers have been killed in one day. Yet news reports rarely explain beyond numbers and interesting anecdotes. They do not know the people behind the statistics.
As a person we remember this man with fondness for his manner and generosity. He was not merely an officer but also a gentleman. You could see it in the way that he spoke to his subordinates and to his fellow officers. Even as a front line fighter who had to face the enemy he never had a bad word to say about any Tamil, nor for that matter did he harbour any hate for his enemy. He was a professional doing his duty to protect his nation and not a fanatic on a holy crusade.
We last met with him as a family in Sri Lanka in 2003 where the he gave us a tour of the ship he was serving. It was a troop carrier landing ship capable of carrying over 100 with large doors in the bow. The rest of the ship was typically cramped and Spartan with only captain having something halfway decent. Mesh was welded to the outside of the ship to deflect rocket attacks. Despite the heavy security we were given a tour that few others would be allowed and everything about the working of the ship was explained. He also explained to the children the naval tradition of how the navy salute differently than the army or air force. Palm toward the forehead.
On the way back home he stopped at a beach side so that I could film a man collecting todi from the tops of Palm trees. He was thinking about joining the commandos.
He was a young man engaged to be married and had just completed building a two story home.
May he rest in peace and I am certain that he deserves to do so.
Here is a news story that explains what happened:
Really Long Link
“More than 5,000 people have been killed in the new wave of violence since the end of 2005, making the Norwegian brokered ceasefire agreement exist only on paper.”
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Comment by tlcorbin
Coffee Quip
A Global Citizen
Paranormal Paranormal
Is Why
Alaska Chronicle
I don't really know anybody from Sri Lanka anymore, but I am aware of the plight combatants on both sides of the fence face, there are honorable men and women on both sides. Sadly, right or wrong in the eyes of history, they'll stay their ground and honor the commitments made and in a 100 years, history can judge the value of their actions. For now all we can do is grieve for the victims.
Sorry for the loss of your friend. Raven
Comment by AmyHuang
Sydney Table
Project Job Search
Travel Debate
Travel String
Love Adventures
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Thanks for your comments.
This was a shock for me when I heard about it today.
Very nice person.
I think someone in Sri Lankan film said it correctly when he said 'How can mortals be safe if their gods are at war?"
Amy
Thanks for your comments.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Tracy
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Thanks for your comments
My thoughts are with his family and fiance.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Michaelie
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
I am truly sorry for your loss and send my prayers to the family of this fallen hero.
Coming from Zimbabwe I can understand the frustration of loss of life under such dire circumstances. It seems so meaningless in a world where headlines make the news over massages for public servants and stabbings at early morning bar brawls.
May he rest in peace and his family find solace somehow in their loss.
Thoughts go out to you all
Ash
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
I'm so sorry, Damo.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
What can say. He was in the Navy and it was his job.
However that does make it less tragic.
Thanks.
Comment by Lester Caudill
Round Politics
Sorry for your loss, it's times like these that put everything in prospective.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Thanks for your kind words.
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
If only there was enough land for us all to live the way we wanted, without having to try and conquer or terrorise our neighbours, because of thier way of breathing, eating and/or praying ...
No, not so civilised our species, really not far removed from Darwins territorial apes at all...
I am sorry for another needless loss of life, although I hope he died happily, believing in what he died for ... I am sorry for your loss.
Lilla ...
Comment by jazzman
Jazzman Tales
Jazzman's Tales part 3
Once again my feelings go with you
Jazzman
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
I just thought that despite the fact there hs been so much killing in Sri Lanka lately it seemed fitting not to let this one pass unnoticed.
Comment by jazzman
Jazzman Tales
Jazzman's Tales part 3
jazzman
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics