Hasalaka Gamini, a legend of eternal heroism
December 31, 2021By Gamini C. Kumara
Whenever we hear the area 'Hasalaka' in Kandy, we are often reminded of this heroic character. There is a popular Sinhala song too composed for him - 'Sithunada sithuwada weeraya hasalaka……' sung by a Sri Lankan singer. So, Hasalaka Gamini Kularatne needs no introduction at all as we all know who he is.
Thus Hasalaka Gamini became a legend of eternal heroism ever since the supreme sacrifice he made at the Elephant Pass battle ground on that fearful night of 10th July 1991. It was on this day that then a large military base of the Sri Lanka Army, Elephant Pass came under a fierce attack launched by LTTE terrorists.
Fear psychosis
Still we have terrible, dark memories of the sanguinary war though it is over once and for all. The fear psychosis caused by ruthless terrorism came to an end with the killing of the tiger leader V. Prabhakaran, and now there is peace in the country. In fact, if this devil had been alive things would have been far removed from the present scenario, but the nation is fortunate enough to enjoy peaceful co-existence in the long run.
To eliminate three decades long terrorism, the immense sacrifices made by our armed forces members are untold. Since the outbreak of the conflict hundreds of thousands of soldiers were killed in action, so also unarmed innocent civilians.
Among those soldiers some have become heroes as they had displayed acts of heroism in the battle field and had come forward to fight face to face with the enemy fearlessly. This young man, Hasalaka Gamini was such a brave soldier who protected all his fellow soldiers and the Army base on the day of the Elephant Pass attack. He did so sacrificing his own life.
Just a couple of weeks back I was travelling from Mahiyanganaya to Kandy, and as soon as I reached the Hasalaka area I remembered this war hero. That is when I saw his memorial erected in his honour at the junction that leads to the beautiful farming hamlet - Hasalaka, located in the salubrious Kandy district of Sri Lanka.
I wanted to drop into the house of this soldier Kularatne and turned to the right at the memorial. It is just one and a half kilometer distance on a carpeted road to this house from the main road.
When I got there only Kularatane's mother, S.G. Juliet Kularatne was at home and others had gone about their usual businesses. I was warmly welcomed and got seated on a chair in the parlour. There were a few framed large size photographs of solider Kularatne clad in his military uniform. In one of them he is seen holding a weapon.
Juliet was so kind enough to offer me a cup of tea at that moment. When I talk about her son and the Elephant Pass attack I saw tears welling up in her eyes. Now she is living in a comfortable house offered by then President R. Premadasa, who paid several visits to her after the incident. Before that, they had lived in a small hut.
Not only then President Premadasa but also many other politicians, especially present Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse had visited her and inquired after her well-being.
Juliet's husband had died of an accident when their children were too small. Farming was their only job. It was extremely difficult for her to feed six children – one girl and 5 boys after husband's sudden death.
Born on 04th September 1966, Kularatne was her second son. Due to extreme poverty, he had decided to join the Army with her permission after receiving primary education. After basic military training, he was serving at the Elephant Pass, attached to the Sixth Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment. The unfortunate tragedy occurred in the prime of his life.
Attack on the military base
Sending explosive laden vehicles accompanied by suicide bombers to military bases was one of the main guerilla tactics premeditated by terrorists. The destruction caused by explosion of such a vehicle with high power explosives is so huge. The tiger rebels had used a caterpillar bulldozer, heavily laden with explosives on that day of the attack on Elephant Pass garrison.
According to heavy steel armour plates used for this heavy machine destroying it at a distance by means of either rocket propelled grenades (RPG) or small arms fire was no easy task.
When the attack began, Gamini Kularatne, one of the soldiers standing guard over their defence lines who understood the gravity of the impending disaster took immediate action to thwart it. Here a friend of Kularatne called Peter Rovel had witnessed the whole scene on that ill-fated day.
According to him, Gamini, having taken two hand grenades in both hands rushed towards the oncoming bulldozer in the pitch darkness. Here Rovel had tried to prevent him from going forwards, but to no avail.
After a few seconds, there was a huge blast as his friend had climbed the ladder of the bulldozer amidst heavy fire to throw the grenades into the machine. Kularatne did never get back to the defence line that night and it was in the following morning that his still, bullet riddled body was found lying on the ground near the bulldozer.
If the heavily armed bulldozer had broken through the lines there would have been a massive human catastrophe, and soldier Kularatne was able to prevent it through his swift action, which claimed his life.
Juliet was sad that she was unable to see her son's remains. In the time of war evacuation of casualties was done only by air, but military helicopters often posed a threat of being attacked. So, dead bodies were either cremated or buried at the camp sites themselves and later the ashes were sent to the parents' homes. To some parents even the ashes could not be seen.
Juliet received her son's monthly salary regularly, but stopped it on completion of her son's 55 year. If he was alive he would be 55 years old this year. Authorities had promised her to make arrangements to receive an allowance after stopping her son's pay.
She says that every year the Sri Lanka Army is sending a vehicle to take her for the participation of military ceremonies. A special function is held at the Elephant Pass camp with the participation of military chiefs each year. Likewise, both electronic and print media are coming to talk to her, so also some youtubers. She had participated in state sponsored overseas visits as well.
An act of gallantry
Even if Kularatne is no more he is remembered by all Sri Lankans with great respect. Indeed, he deserves our respect and honour for the ultimate sacrifice made for the motherland on that day.
This intrepid action displayed at the battle field by soldier Kularatne went down in the history of the Sri Lankan military. Then Vanni military Commander Maj. Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa confirmed it as an act of gallantry, and it was then that soldier Hasalaka Gamini came to be known as a legendary war hero.
In recognition of his bravery and courage, he was posthumously promoted to the rank of Corporal. He was the first recipient of 'Parama Weera Vibhushanaya' (PWV), the highest award for gallantry that is conferred by Sri Lanka Army on a soldier who saves the lives by sacrificing his own life in action.
A monument of the soldier Gamini Kularatne has been erected in honour of his sacrifice at the battle. People travelling to Jaffna do not forget to visit this monument. It was here on this fierce battle ground that he fought bravely and saved the lives of all trapped in the camp on that day.
Apart from Kularatne memorial, the other special thing that can be seen here on the camp premises is the armoured caterpillar bulldozer that was sent to the base by terrorists. It is the only war remains visible here now.
Courtesy - www.dailynews.lk