Eresha Nilmini:

First war heroine brought to life with memories

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Fifteen years have gone by since her demise. But her memories still remain with her parents, sisters, friends and all near and dear ones. Her name had been written in Sri Lanka's history in golden letters, because she is the first daughter who sacrificed her life on behalf of Mother Sri Lanka.

She was a sparkling asset to the nation. She was a daughter full of elegance and courage. She possessed beauty to attract others eyes, talents to catch up anything and courage to overcome any burden. She made a supreme sacrifice to protect Sri Lanka from terrorism.

Eresha Nilmini who had served in the Military Police and the Women's Corp (Regular Service) was the first female soldier to die in battle during the 30 year conflict.

She is the oldest of three daughters to parents C de Z Edward and Christable Theodara de Silva. Older sister to Neelamani De Silva and Nilathi De Silva.

All memories of Eresha are treasured with her parents, siblings, relatives and her friends. But unfortunately she is not here to share her sweet and unforgettable memories with her near and dear ones.

This young heroine Eresha was born on May 2,1974 and received her first Holy Communion in 1984 from Father Benedict at the Sacred Heart Church, Rajagiriya. She received her primary and secondary education at St. Joseph's Convent, Nugegoda. She was interested in social service activities and she held the membership of Help Age Sri Lanka as well.

Eresha received her secondary education up to GCE (A/L) and she took part in many extracurricular activities and won many awards. She was receiving number of medals as a Girl Guide and she was also a school prefect. After her A/Ls, when she was 19 years she followed a course in Presbyterian religion and received the Suba Asna certificate. She offered to teach catechism for the Grade 8 students at the Christ Church, Kotte.

An outgoing personality with inherent congeniality, she took great pleasure in helping people. Being blessed with good looks and commanding height of 5'9" she was fortunate in taking part in many beauty pageants. In one such instance she was placed sixth in order among the 15 finalists of 'Miss Sri Lanka World 1992' a contest organized by the Jaycees and the Sunday Observer newspaper. The Thisara films organization identified Eresha's talents and offered her a role in the tele-drama Kandulu Bindak and she also played a role in the film Peedithayo.

With the aim of being self-reliant, she joined Asiri Group of Hospitals in Narahenpita as a receptionist. In the year 1994 when she was 20 she applied to the Military Police under the enlistment as CCMP (Army) Corporal according to a newspaper advertisement which called for women and she received a letter calling her for an interview. She was among the eight finalists selected out of 8000 applicants who presented themselves for the interview.

When she decided to tender her resignation, her colleagues at Asiri Hospital tried their best to dissuade her from joining the Army, and pointed out in no uncertain terms, that such a decision only will lead to her premature demise. Even such remarks did not diminish her enthusiasm and determination to serve in the army.

Eresha's family annually visited Jaffna in December by Air and in the year 1996 she also planned to be with her family members and spend the Christmas vacation with them. According to that she applied for one week leave from December 25, 1996 to January 2, 1997. At this time Eresha was serving as the receptionist at the Army Head Quarters, Colombo.

On December 24, 1996, she and her family members attended midnight mass at the Sacred Heart Church, Rajagiriya and returned home around 2 am on the Christmas day. She went back to the Army Headquarters and she went to Jaffna on December 26, 1996, but she was ordered to stay the 26th night at the Army Camp and to leave for Palaly on December 27 morning by air. In December 27 morning, Fr. Emil Joseph who conducted the midnight service on Christmas Day, came to Eresha's house and after spending some time with her family members said that he wanted to discuss something significant with parents. He then queried where is Eresha, to which her parents had replied "Father, she joined the Army and she is now at Palaly CCMP Camp".

He then said, "I saw your daughter in my dreams, there is no reason to get alarmed, but in my dream I saw your daughter had gone through a claymore mine and her body was in pieces".

"Father it is only a dream," was her parents reply.

On the morning of January 2, 1997, it was the most miserable day of her family. A friend of her father came home and informed the parents that Eresha, had met with an accident. Eresha's father had rushed to the Army Headquarters. A high official in the Army informed her father that they had not received such a message and requested him to verify from the Army Police-CCMP, at Narahenpita.

At about 12 noon, they received a radio message, that Corporal Eresha had died and her body was in pieces. The parents realized that the dream of Rev. Fr. Emil Joseph a week back had come true.

Thus ended the life of Eresha Nilmini, a lovable daughter, soft spoken endearing qualities. Never a harsh word had escaped her lips.

But the sad thing is Mother Sri Lanka had lost another courageous daughter at a time she needed more support from her loving sons and daughters. Eresha's departure again and again makes us realize that fact that "God takes back what he gave us".