Remembering Heroes on 30th Anniversary of Special Boats Squadron – What I Learnt from The War Hero’s Son – By Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne
Former Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of The Navy Chairman Trincomalee Petroleum Terminals Ltd
Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.’
— Mother Teresa
“I learned true essence of GRATITUDE from this War Hero’s son”
My mobile phone rang a few years back when I was Chief of Defence Staff (Senior most officer of Sri Lanka Military). It’s a number I have not saved. I answered the call. A faint voice of a young child on the other end. “Sir I am Wikum Anuhas, Son of Chief Petty Officer K G Shantha.” Yes Son! I replied. Late Chief Petty Officer KG Shantha was from elite Special Boats Squadron (SBS), the Naval Commando Unit who paid the supreme sacrifice out at sea in Point Pedro on 1st Nov 2008.
His wife was four months pregnant when Shantha died. This child never saw his father alive.
“Sir, I have a good news for you. I have passed the Grade 5 Scholarship exam with 165 marks.” The child continues, “My mother wants me to convey this news to you and all other SBS members.”
“Well done son! All SBS uncles will be very happy with your achievement. Please visit my office with your mother this week after school. I have a small gift for you” I said. It is always a delightful news to hear our fallen War Heroes Children doing well in their lives. The void created by the loss of their fathers always affects them. In that sense, young Wikum Anuhas, ‘s achievement is remarkable. Sitting in my office, my mind ran back to 2008.
Our Navy outmanoeuvring and destroying LTTE Sea tiger boats at rapid phase by mid- 2008. All their ocean-going capabilities were destroyed and littoral battles were intense and deadly. To save their pride and capabilities, LTTE Sea-Tigers turned towards their ultimatum weapon out at sea, the suicide boats. Navy response with our small boats Squadrons of SBS and Rapid Action Boats Squadron (RABS) was very effective against this huge Suicide Boats threat.
Writer as the Chief of Defence Staff with the Son of Chief Petty Officer K G Shantha in 2018
On 1st Nov 2008 early hours, a Sea battle erupted between Navy and Sea-Tigers off Point Pedro. A number of LTTE Boats were destroyed and Navy also had casualties. Petty Officer KG Shantha from SBS, was commanding the Arrow boat Z-142. He had three more SBS members on board. His boat was fitted with a 23mm gun which they used very effectively against the enemy. (When you fight out at sea there is no cover. Whoever fires effectively first will win the battle.)
Arrow boats of SBS – now re-named as CEDRICs – named in honour of
late Co-Founder SBS and Arrow boat designer Commander (VNF) Cedric Martinstyn- who considered MIA after Helicopter crash in 1995 off seas of Vettalikani, Jaffna
By 05.45 AM, KG (Shantha) had all three of his crew injured due to enemy fire. Squadron Commander ordered him to withdraw to the harbour. When he is about to move back, he saw one LTTE boat moving fast towards P 164 (Inshore Patrol Craft) commanded by Lt (SBS) Wickramasinghe. P164 had twelve SBS personnel onboard. By shape and speed, KG identified it as an LTTE Suicide boat. No time to wait. He knew the danger. He decided and acted as per the greatest traditions of SBS, sacrifice own life to protect your senior officer and buddies.
He rammed the LTTE Suicide boat with his craft. Huge explosion! Both LTTE Suicide boat and KG’s boat perished into thin air……
Petty Officer (SBS) KG Shantha was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer posthumously. His wife who was four months pregnant then and informed of her beloved husband’s loss. No funeral was taken place as nothing of his body recovered due to 500 Kg Suicide boat explosion. KG was later awarded Parama Weera Vibushanaya (PWV), the highest Gallantry medal of Sri Lanka. He became one of the two naval personnel awarded with this highest Gallantry medal.
Chief Pettey Officer KG Shantha, PWV
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The Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV) (Sinhala: පරම $ර $%ෂණය parama vīra
vibhūṣaṇaya; Tamil: பரம வர% வ&’ஷைனய) is Sri Lanka’s highest military decoration,
awarded for acts of exceptional valour in wartime. Parama Weera Vibhushanaya translates as the “Decoration of Supreme Heroism”, and the award is granted for “individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of the most exceptional order in the face of the enemy”. Corporal Gamini Kularatne, was the first recipient. As of January 2021, the medal has been awarded 31 times, of which all were posthumous and arose from actions in the Sri Lankan Civil War. Of the 31 awardees, 28 have been from the Sri Lanka Army, two have been from the Sri Lanka Navy and one has been from the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Ceylon used the British awards system and continued post-independence until 1956, when British imperial honours were suspended. New awards were instituted in 1981. PWV is equivalent to the Victoria Cross in the United Kingdom, the Medal of Honor in the United States and Param Vir Chakra in India. For more info refer Wikipedia.
MCPO Soysa on his interview to YouTube recently clearly mentioned the bravery and valour of KG during this sea confrontation with LTTE Suicide Boat. Please watch YouTube link
(Source: Wikipedia and YouTube)
Anuhas with his mother and writer during this Year National War Heroes Day at National War Memorial on 19th May 2023 at Battaramulla. He is proudly wearing Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV) awarded to his beloved father on his right side of chest
War Hero’s son Anuhas with writer at Royal College during felicitation Ceremony-to HE the President Ranil Wickremesinghe on 22nd February 2023 (The day also writer’s 61st Birthday)
In 2011, house for KG’s wife and family was constructed by the Naval Civil Engineering Department with funds given by former First Lady, Mrs. Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa in memory of her late father Commander EP Wickremasinghe of Royal Ceylon Navy/Sri Lanka Navy, former Chief of Staff (Operations) of Sri Lanka Navy.
KG’s Son was admitted to Royal College, Colombo 7. Distance from his home to Royal College was too far for the young child to travel.
On my request, former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka gave a House temporarily at the new Housing scheme in Mandawila, which eased the burden of long travelling and allowing enough time for the child to attend to his studies and extra classes.
Anuhas became a Sea Scout at Royal College Scout troop. He was keen on playing Squash also. Old Royalist and former President Scout, who’s father was a distinguished Naval officer , Senaka Senaviratme now living in New York, USA sent Anuhas a good junior Squash racket. Senaka , patriot Sri Lankan in NY, USA also ensured handsome monthly allowance is paid to Anuhas for his tuition.
Old Royalist from 1962 group, Mr Ana De Silva, presented Anuhas with good pair of Squash shoes on my last Birthday.
My cousin, former Banker Wilson Wijegunaratne also was kind enough to provide a monthly allowance to Anuhas for his daily expenses.
Now Anuhas train under Navy Squash Coaches Chief Petty Officer Ishara and Petty Officer Priyadarshana. He is fast picking up the game.
When Wikum Anuhas came to my office with his mother to collect his gift, he brought a letter written in his beautiful handwriting, thanking Minister Patali for the gesture which helped him to do his studies well. I recollect Minister was an Electrical Engineer from Moratuwa University and got the Island’s best results in G C E Advanced Level Examination on Science stream from Kalutara district.
I learnt what is gratitude from this young War Hero’s Son.
I gave him the advice which my father gave me when I passed Navodhaya scholarship in grade Seven in Royal College, Colombo 7.
“Good, better, best – do not rest until your good is Better and better is best”
