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hero bags survivorship award for true grit I had the privilege of meeting Prasanna Kuruppu at a wedding about 6 years ago, and was almost immediately struck by his geniality and his spirit of courage and determination. I have been a friend and admirer since that meeting. He seems to me, to posses that right-stuff of the ultimate officer and a gentleman. But, what strikes me as his most exemplary quality is his positive attitude to life. His recovery both physically and emotionally is a story of courage. Where others would have moped, he has adapted awesomely and converted his disadvantage into an advantage. I do not think anyone who meets this man, especially any serviceman, will fail to be inspired by his spirit of triumph over tragedy. He seems to have been almost destined for this saga of valour. Prasanna the fifth child of a family of six children decided very early in life to join the SLAF. After higher studies he joined the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) in 1985, and graduated as a commissioned officer in the administrative/regiment branch. He functioned as a Regimental Officer thereafter combining his duties with additional administrative tasks. In 1990 he was in the thick of the battle, being posted to the Air Field Unit in Palalay. This was at the time the separatist war was at its most decisive and dangerous juncture. I would say that the separatists would have gained the edge during this period, if not for the heroism of men such as Prasanna Kuruppu. It's a pity that some such men are unhonoured and unsung. When he lost two limbs and became paraplegic, people expected a slow and traumatic recovery. Instead, Prassana seemed to conquer his condition with surprising speed. Almost from day one, he began helping those in similar circumstances as he. Since 1995, he has served as a Counsellor for the SLAF combat causalities and some of the Sri Lanka Army amputees. He also volunteered to assist the organizers of the Colombo District Emergency Social Welfare and Rescue Unit to recruit and train volunteers in disaster relief. His initiatives in disaster relief work was no doubt an asset to the country during the recent tsunami. In January 2004, Prasanna became a member of the Landmine Ban Advocacy Forum (LBAF), an initiative by the Mine Action Resource Center of the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA). His efforts in helping war victims have been comprehensive, to say the least. He helped to coordinate between the "Ranaviru Seva Authority" (RSV-Authority to Provide Services to the War Veterans, Victims/Survivors) and war-affected individuals and their families. In November 2003, Prasanna was invited by the Organization for the Protection of Social Environment (OPSE) for a two day workshop on "Disability and Development and Rights of Persons with Disabilities" as a key resource person -- a signal recognition of his work in this area. Prasanna seems to have put to shame all assorted war mongers and hawks - he has bettered himself, and shown by example what true courage is in adversity. His work in the area of human rights is just beginning. In 2003 he successfully completed a Diploma in Human Rights conducted by the Institute of Human Rights. At present he is reading for a Masters Degree in Human Rights conducted by the University of Colombo and is expected to complete it by end of year 2005. I have not met Prasanna for some time now - but I'm sure that that despite his very good work at Ceylinco group where he is employed, he continues to be an asset to the country, especially to injured service personnel and their families. Of Prasanna it can be said in the words of Micheal de Motagnie "the strongest, most generous and proudest of all virtues is true courage.'' |
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