Honouring police heroes
SSP Ranjith D A GUNASEKERA
Today has been declared the Police Heroes Commemoration Day to honour
and salute the heroic police officers who sacrificed or risked their
supreme lives while being engaged in the onerous task of protecting law
and order of the country for the sake of all Sri Lankan people.
With the core objective of ensuring the well-being of Sri Lankan
people, police officers execute their duties with dedication even at the
risk of their lives to bring about peace, calmness and law and order to
protect persons and property and to investigate and control crimes.
On numerous occasions, police officers had sacrificed their lives
while fearlessly carrying out their duties entrusted upon them.
Hand in glove with the three Armed Forces, police officers had to be
a part and parcel of the dreadful war launched against the LTTE
terrorists operating in the North and East.
It is now very clear that LTTE terrorism will be completely
criminated in a few more days - thanks to courageous political
leadership and heroic and brave contributions from the three Armed
Forces and police.
However, during the nearly 32-year old anti-terrorism activities of
the Government Forces from 1977 and since the killing of Police
constable Karunanidhi at Kankesenthurai on 14th February 1977, 2584
police officers have lost their lives and 254 have been permanently
disabled.
By this letter it is intended to give a short review of the history
of commemorating the Police Heroes Day on 21st March of every year, a
proud chronicle of Sri Lanka.
We salute the sacrifice of 30 male and female police officers up
to-date a deed that deserve the dedication of a day of commemoration.
Among them stand one Deputy Inspector General of Police, six Senior
Superintendents of Police, five Superintendents of Police, 16 Assistant
Superintendents of Police, 280 of the Inspector grade, 2774 of the
Police Chief Sergeants, Police Sergeants, Police Constables, Police
Drivers and 15 Women Police Officers.
The list of the names of the first persons from each grade who
sacrificed their valuable lives are boxed alongside.
My dear heroes of the Police Service, you have sacrificed your
precious lives, facing boldly the bullets that pierced your hearts, the
breath of yours that mingled with the breeze, dawns justice and inspires
and strengthens all of us.
They sacrificed their lives ...
DIG T.N. de Silva 1999.12.18 Colombo.
SSP Terrance Perera 1987.12.02 Battaramulla.
SP R.H.M.A. Herath 1984.08.06 Vavunia.
ASP Jayawardane 1984.04.10 Madirigiriya.
CI Anura Asoka Kumara 1991.07.28 Kangikudichchi Aru.
IP M. Nell 1898 Maradna.
R/IP Dissanayake 1994.05.05 Central Camp
SI P.L. Dissnayake 1917.02.17 Horana.
R/SI A.M. Ariyadasa 1988.10.15 Angunakolapelessa
Sgt. Major N.A. Wilbert Silva 1995.06.28 attached to the STF
PS. 2373 K.D.P. Jayanetti 1942.05.15 Nagoda.
R/PS 459 C.R.M. Joseph 1989.08.19 attached to the STF
R/WPS 307 K. Weerasinghe 1990.12.26 Dehiwala.
PC Saban 1864.03.21 Mawanella.
R/PC 4943 Sathiwananadan 1978.12.05 Jaffna.
WPC 244 G.H.N. Yasomenike 1989.01.16 Kandy.
R/WPC 388 S. Gunawardana 1989.08.13 Rangala.
PCD 331 G. Piyadasa 1971.04.16 Kekirawa.
PSD 12648 H.B. Sirisena 1986.08.31 Pulmude
R/PSD G.A. Dharmasena 1991.08.02 attached to the NIB.
R/PCD 25708 G.M. Gunasena 1991.04.08 Thaleimannar
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