Almost two decades ago, 19 years to be exact, the cruel hand of the enemy snatched from our midst Major General Lucky Wijayaratne.
Lucky was serving in Trincomalee as Area Commander / Co-ordinating Officer when the deadly bomb blast at Morayaya snuffed out his life, in December 1990.
Lucky was a duty-conscious, obedient and disciplined officer for whom the commitments of service ranked uppermost, always. He believed that strict discipline brings into focus the full force of one’s commitment and power among one’s charges, and this focus helps one to achieve the success one seeks.
Lucky and I studied at Mahinda College, Galle. I saw him progress from class to class at Mahinda, and long after that, all the way to the end.
Lucky was born to a Galle family of high social standing. His father was a popular doctor, a household name in the Galle area. Patients would come in their hundreds daily to the “Weda Oushadalaya”, seeking the touch of the doctor’s healing hands.
As the child of a medical practitioner, Lucky was treated to a daily dose of life’s realities, seeing and learning the harsher side of life at close quarters. This made a lasting impression on him and, I believe, it reinforced his qualities of sympathy and understanding.
From his young days, Lucky’s character was moulded by discipline and obedience. He grew up to be a law-abiding and productive member of society.
In school, he was always among the top five students in class. He displayed a special proficiency in the English language. Lucky was always keen to share his knowledge.
In 1964, he joined the Army and proceeded to the Pakistan Military Academy for advanced training. He followed many advanced military courses, both in Sri Lanka and overseas. His outstanding performance earned him a scholarship for postgraduate studies (MSc.) in strategic warfare at Aberdeen University, in Scotland.
Lucky was an avid reader, consuming books on different subjects.
His vast knowledge, together with his eloquence, earned him the respect of his peers and superiors, and made him the centre of attention at all gatherings with his near and dear and with his friends.
As a soldier, he knew well that when wars are thrust upon economically insecure countries, these wars must be waged without the requisite military hardware. But Lucky also knew that courage, commitment, prudent planning and trust can go a long way to compensate for scant resources.
Lucky would often tell me that his greatest reward would be to see our country once again whole, in one piece, with the “carpet of peace” rolled out the length and breadth of Sri Lanka.
He performed all duties that fell upon his shoulders to the best of ability. His instincts warned him of possible enemy attacks and how best these could be forestalled with pre-emptive action.
He did much to plug the loopholes the enemy was using for its destructive work.
Feeling the heat of Lucky’s strong presence wherever he went, and encountering the ever-mounting challenges posed by Lucky and his men, the LTTE hatched a fool-proof plan to kill him, and those with him, in one of their deadly bomb blasts.
When Lucky died, the Sri Lanka Army lost a valiant, battle-hardened officer, and the country a true patriot.
Lucky was also a good son and brother, loyal and dutiful husband, loving father, and true friend.
Lucky’s death immobilised us all, and deadened our hearts for years – so long that only Time, the great healer, could help us get over our grief.
We wish Lucky the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.
An old Mahindian |
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