TRIBUTE TO A BRAVE SKYDIVER Extracts from book “GRATITUDE” – By Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne (Retired from Sri Lanka Navy) Former Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Navy Chairman Trincomalee Petroleum Terminals Ltd.
“Once you have tasted the taste of Sky, you will forever look up”
Leonardo da Vinci
“Daring Sky Divers from Lotus Tower in Colombo carried out parachute jumps with much amusement and happiness to all who watched them from land. This article is to pay my tribute to Brave Sky Diver who is no more with us”
When I was Chief of Defence Staff (Tri Forces Commander) on 4th January 2018, one month before our Independence Day celebrations, my Chief of Staff, Major General Nirmal Dharmaratne approached me “Sir, we request your approval for BASE jumps on Independence Day parachute jumping display.”, “What is BASE jump?” I asked.
Sir, we have three base jumpers in the Army now. They all qualified in BASE jumping in Austria. Sir, they will jump from Shangri-La hotel 53rd floor. “That’s less than 1000 feet I said.” No time for spare parachute open in case of an emergency?”
“Yes Sir. They will jump without a spare parachute. It’s a bit risky but they have done enough BASE jumps and very competent.” (To qualify as a BASE jumper, you should have more than 500 free-fall jumps.)
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My Chief of Staff Nirmal is a decorated Army Special Forces Officer and the senior-most Skydiver in the Army. He was due to lead sky diving team on 70th Independence Day celebrations by jumping from 10,000 feet with more than 30 Army, Navy, Air force and Police (STF) Skydivers. I thought “these gays are mad!” I learnt BASE acronym; Building, Antenna, Span and Earth.
Nirmal started giving more details. “Sir! This is the 70th Independence Celebrations of our beloved country. We will do something unique.” I reluctantly agreed to do BASE jumps on Independence Day celebrations at Galle Face on 4th Feb 2018. Three BASE jumpers were Major Nalin Kulathunga, Corporal. ALA Premalal of Commando Regiment and Warrant Officer II. HKS Kumarasiri of Special Forces Regiment.
I had briefed HE the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces on Independence Day parade procedures on 3rd Feb 2018. I briefed him on these BASE jumps also. His usual answer to me; “if you are competent, go-ahead Ravi.” I should confess, I went through two stressful days thanks to Nirmal and his BASE jumpers. These personnel were “Bravest of the Brave.” I was so worried about any injury to them. Being a victim of bad jump in my basic parachute course which ended up in fractures in both my legs, I very well knew the seriousness of this BASE jumps.
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BASE jumps from Shangri-La Hotel on Independence Day
Everything went well on Independence Day and the whole country hailed our three BASE jumpers and video recordings of them leaping out from the top floor of Shangri-La hotel showed repeatedly on all TV channels. My friend Bandula Jayasekara invited them to morning talk show PATHIKADA. Bravest of the Brave of our armed forces! We were so proud of them.
Next day on 5th Feb 2018, I called them to my office and presented them with Commendation letters. That’s how I met WO II Kumarasiri. I still remember the smile in his face when I presented the Chief of Defence Staff Commendation letter to him. He was in his ceremonial dress with “spit and polished” boots shining like a mirror. I knew Commando and Special Forces personnel very randomly get a chance to wear their “ceremonials.”
During our brief conversation, WO Kumarasiri mentioned that he has taken part in Exercise Balance Style conducted jointly by United States (US) Navy SEALs and SLN Special Boat Squadron (SBS) when I was CO SBS in the year 2000. He was a Corporal in the Special Forces at that time. I “read his chest”(the Naval term we use to identity medals and badges wear on our uniforms) silently. All three Gallantry medals, a living armed forces person can get for valour and bravery, namely Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya (WWV), Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) and Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) on his left side with other service medals. The WWV, closest to his heart. The most difficult and respected badge on the left side, LRRP badge (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol – most feared Special Forces Unit of our Army) followed by Sniper badge, Basic Parachute badge, Special Forces badge, Physical Training Instructor badge, Free-fall Parachutist badge and Mountain Climber badge. What an impressive Military Service! He said he is completing his 22 years of service soon and want to retire and start an organic farm in his village Puhulwella, Kaburupitiya. I wished him good luck and advised him to use his vast knowledge and experience to train the next generation of Army soldiers. That was the last time I met him.
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Sri Lanka Army Skydivers were training in Ampara last month for preparations for ‘Cormorant Strike’, the annual multi-national Exercise due to start from 3rd September 2019. WO. Kumarasiri leaped out of Y-12 Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Aircraft at an altitude of 10,000 feet with trainee skydivers. As per his jumping log, that was his 681st freefall jump. They came down in various formations and opened their parachutes at 6000 feet. Something unexpected happened. Kumarasiri’s parachute entangled with one of the trainee Skydiver’s parachute. The last words of Kumarasiri to trainee were “Do not panic – try to cut down the lines entangled and use your spare parachute if required. I will be fine.” Those were the last words of Kumarasiri to his trainee. Keeping the highest traditions of Special Forces, his last intention was to save the life of his buddy. His action at 6000 feet height, while gaining speed at every second with the gravitational force to save his trainee, qualified him to be awarded with Weerodhra Vibushanaya (WV), the Gallantry medal awarded posthumously for conspicuous bravery of non- military nature of the most exceptional order.
Warrant Officer II HKS Kumarasiri
Brave and valour – The tradition of Sri Lanka Army Special Forces. We will never forget WO HKS Kumarasiri. Mother Lanka lost one of her bravest sons.
“May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana”
