Calling Naval Commodore Kanishka Kularatne (Rtd): your services are
needed sir!
The
war is over. The idea of the war hero has lost its lustre. Or so they
say. I am not sure on either count. It would be ideal if we were left
alone to resolve our differences and decide our futures. This is not the
case. If it took men and women of exceptional courage, determination,
skill and wisdom to bring us to where we are, i.e. a terrorist-free Sri
Lanka, such men and women are still needed so we can pick ourselves up,
correct our systemic flaws and continue to move ahead boldly and with
confidence.
There was a time when our security forces played a ceremonial role.
All that changed in 1971 when the JVP launched its first insurrection
and taught this society what terrorism is and what terrorism is capable
of. Tamil chauvinism proved to be a quick learner and surpassed guru
swiftly. Tamil nationalistic terrorism ruled this country for almost
three decades. Freedom was recovered at great cost; all the more reason
why it should not only be protected but made more meaningful.
Naval Commodore Kanishka
Kularatne (Rtd) |
National borders
These are days of off-shore terrorism. In a different era it would be
called invasion. The trick now is to get proxies within a country to
deliver what foreign interests demand. These are days, therefore, when
vigilance has to be maintained. On all fronts. While securing national
borders is no doubt of paramount importance, but as important is to put
in place mechanism whereby national interests in other spheres are
protected. Weaknesses need to be addressed, loopholes eliminated, holes
plugged. Today’s heroes will be those who give their best to be
principled in public and private spheres, have unquestioned integrity
and are endowed with the skills necessary to put things right.
Few politicians would make decent soldiers and not all soldiers make
good politicians. On the other hand, if discipline, courage and
self-sacrifice are considered useful attributes and indeed considered to
be absent in the political firmament, there is a strong argument for
such people to contest elections. Provided of course that they have an
exceptional track record and their post-military performance has not
left room for doubt regarding outlook and ability.
The end of the war saw many high-ranking officers in the security
services being offered high posts, including diplomatic appointments.
Some made sense, some not. Some contributed, some didn’t exactly help
the cause. All things considered, however, it can be safely said (and we
should not be self-congratulatory in this) that the majority of these
individuals were more effective than people who have the training and
experience in the relevant fields. One thing is certain: those who have
stellar military records are far superior to your run of the mill
politician. This is why people have elected several such officers to
Parliament and to Provincial Councils.
Security forces
Navy Commodore Kanishka Kularatne is contesting. I have never met the
man, but when I saw the name I wanted to check him out, for there are
officers and officers, some exceptional and some pedestrian, and we live
in times when more mileage than is deserved is sought to be obtained on
account of having served in the security forces. I did the background
check.
Kanishka Kularatne is an Old Anandian whose leadership qualities were
noted even as a schoolboy; he was appointed Head Prefect. He joined the
Navy as a Cadet Officer and being among the brightest prospects in his
cohort was selected to follow the International Midshipman Course at the
Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. He was the Commanding Officer
of several vessels including SLNS Balavatha and SLNS Ranakami and bases
such as Gemunu, Tissa, Vijitha, Parakrama and the Dockyard. He also
served as the Acting Director (Naval Training) at the Navy Headquarters.
Like many officers, he too won many medals. Unlike many, he was
honoured with the Ranashura Medal for bravery and gallantry, especially
for his exceptional dedication and courage in combatting terrorism. Does
that single him out? Probably not. He nevertheless stands among the
tallest in the security forces.
In my inquiries I came across an interesting story about the man.
Sometime in the year 2003, i.e. when the Ceasefire Agreement was in
operation, he had been detailed to search for a ship purportedly
carrying arms for the LTTE. Today everyone knows that the CFA was a sham
and was a mechanism for the LTTE to rearm, recuperate, recruit and
regroup in anticipation of renewed hostilities. Back then, those of us
who made that argument were vilified as ‘war mongers’ not willing to
‘give peace a chance’. The Army knew, though, and so too the Air Force
and the Navy. Their hands were tied.
Arms smuggling
Kanishka was directed to take whatever action was feasible. On June
13 or 14, 2003, the said arms ship was detected. Two stories. One, that
facing imminent engagement by a determined and superior weaponry, the
terrorists opted for self-destruction. The other was that Naval
Commodore Kanishka Kularatne engaged the rogue vessel and destroyed it.
The first story claims that the incident occurred inside territorial
waters while the second claims it happened beyond waters that
legitimately came under the jurisdiction of the Navy.
The matter was inquired into by the SLMM. Strangely, they seem to
have dismissed the fact that the LTTE had no business to engage in arms
smuggling. Naval Commodore Kularatne got a lot of flak. He was
exonerated.
I am not versed in the relevant legalities, but it is clear to me
that any rogue arms shipment which delivers people-killing instruments
to a bunch of ruthless terrorists is a massive threat to the ordinary
citizens of the country. If the leaders sanction such smuggling for
whatever reason then I don’t think it is incumbent on any right thinking
citizen to uphold such laws. It is different for an office of the Navy.
If it was indeed the second story that is true, then Kanishka is a hero
in my eyes. He would not have been unaware of the personal costs of
embarking on such a course of action. If it is the first story that is
true, then too, the precipitating factor was his presence and readiness
to engage. Either way, a hero.
That kind of sacrifice I do not see in our present day politicians.
Indeed few would expect our politicians to show even a fraction of the
courage and to be ready to give up a fraction of what Naval Commodore
Kularatne was ready to sacrifice.
That war was won and it is because of people like Kanishka. Today we
are in the midst of another war, that of restoring dignity and
effectiveness to public office. Kanishka won’t be able to do it alone.
But then again, it will not get done if not for people like him doing
what they can do: being courageous, determined, ready to sacrifice and
putting country and fellow citizen before self.
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