SI Bopitiya’s example
SI Bandujeewa Bopitiya has very
rightly been honoured by the State and we hope the heroic ordeal
of this one-time LTTE captive would enthuse other law-enforcers
to both emulate him and stand-up bravely to Tiger terror.
As is well known, SI Bopitiya, attached to the National Child
Protection Authority, bowed to the call of duty and pursued a
child abuse suspect into an area in the North, which had an LTTE
presence. He was subsequently seized by the Tigers and held
captive by them for months in complete isolation.
Bopitiya endured this cruel trial with absolute courage and
equanimity as the State explored every means or freeing him.
Meanwhile, he silently suffered intense remorse on being
separated from family and home. It came as a huge relief to all
right-thinking persons in Sri Lanka when Bopitiya was finally
released by his barbaric captors.
Therefore, it is only fair that this heroic, long sufferer is
honoured by the State. We call on the Government to step-up such
efforts to reward and honour our war heroes and heroines who are
thus standing-up bravely to LTTE terror and unflinchingly and
resourcefully carrying out their duties.
Let it not be forgotten that it is because of such feats by
our silent but efficient war heroes that we are given on
opportunity to sleep tight at night. If not for their heroic but
usually unlauded efforts, our lives would be fraught with
increasing risks and dangers.
Therefore, those law enforcers who are self-sacrificially
committed to their duties need to be consistently recognized and
rewarded.
There are lessons here for even the rest of society. It is a
strong commitment to our duty which would help Sri Lanka forge
ahead towards stability and prosperity.
In the case of most citizens, it is a case of asking their
country to cede more and more pelf, perks and benefits, rather
than enquire as to what they could do for their motherland.
Most would prefer to live off the fat of the land rather than
contribute towards its fattening and prosperity.
For those suffering from such fixations, the example of
Bopitiya and other Services’ heroes who are giving of their best
to their country, would serve as a source of profound
inspiration.
This is a matter of the utmost importance. On the one hand,
there is a crying need for duty-consciousness on the part of
quite a few citizens.
Among these are those who follow the line of least resistance
and do the minimum for their country but expect the latter to
shower an abundance of welfare benefits on them. On the other
hand, the productivity of the average employee leaves much to be
desired.
The reason for a general lack of progress is this absence of
duty-consciousness which also contributes towards low
productivity. We hope the example of our Services’ heroes will
seep down into the Lankan consciousness. |