10/23/2007

Mortal remains of fourteen valiant members of the Air Force & Army who laid their precious lives for the defence of Anuradhapura Air Force Base were released to their next of kin Tuesday (23) for final rites and subsequent military funerals.

Consequent upon post-mortems and judicial procedures that took place at Anuradhapura Teaching hospital, senior officers of the Air Force and Army took over the remains to be handed over to their spouses. Most of those funerals are expected to take place tomorrow (24) at respective native places with full military honors.

Wing Commander Amila Mohotti, Squadron Leader Ruwan Wijeratne, Flight Lieutenant A.B.M.Silva, Flying Officer S.R.Siyambalapitiya, Warrant Officer KPS Dayaratne, Corporal M.P.W. Deegalla, Corporal W.M.Warnakulasuriya, Corporal .M.W.Dissanayake, Corporal E.P.N. Dayaratne, Corporal Preethikumara, Lance Corporal H.E.N.D.Fernando, Lance Corporal Gunawardane of the Air Force and Lance Corporal R.J.S. Ratnayake of Gajaba Regiment of the Army paid the supreme sacrifice during the incident. Four of them died in a helicopter crash when it was rushing to help fighting troops at the base.

One more Airman of the Air Force, Sergeant Asvedduma breathed his last late monday (22) night while being treated at Anuradhapura hospital after he was admitted with severe injuries, minutes after the attack. Accordingly, fourteen brave men of the Armed Forces perished as a result of the incident.

A total of twenty two members of the Armed Forces are still receiving treatment in hospitals.

Meanwhile, mutilated dead bodies of all twenty Tiger terrorists who were killed by elite Army troops of the Special Forces during the Air Force Base attack have now been brought to the Anuradhapura hospital for post mortem and other onward arrangements.

Courtesy : Army.lk