COLOMBO : “As an officer and a gentleman par excellence Major General Tilak Paranagama rose in the ranks from Trooper to Major General without relying on favouritism or political patronage based on his own talents, exemplary skills and performance” said Prof. Mohan Munasinghe, the Chief Guest at the launch of General Paranagama’s Autobiography titled DESTINY-‘My life in the Army’ successfully held at Rock House Camp Colombo15, on 11th January 2023.
The only Sri Lankan Nobel Peace Prize winner (2007) Prof. Munasinghe said that “it is a privilege to speak on a highly distinguished retired senior officer of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces who commands the respect of both military officers and servicemen”
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Prof. Munasinghe who had associated the General for over two decades went on to describe him as a good friend, a fine human being and a caring family man. We have been happy to be associated with him also with the Royal Commonwealth Society, Sri Lanka, of which he is currently he President.
”His memoirs being launched today is a unique testament to his dedication the Armed forces and unstinting loyalty to our nation” he added.
First Colonel appointed to command a Regiment
Highlighting on a few of the high points of his career in the book, Prof Munasinghe revealed that the General’s superiors thought so highly of him that he became the first officer appointed to command a Regiment while holding only the rank of Colonel.
”After completing a US course General Paranagama received the highest praise from a US General. He has described him as ”a Brilliant student with no weaknesses”. In 2007 the President of Sri Lanka conferred him with the National honour of Deshe Keerthi for his services to the nation”.
Prof. Munasinghe acknowledging the hardships that is endured by our armed forces, being away from the comfort of a loving wife and family and facing stress while carrying out patriotic duties, recounted a few of many such occasions that General Paranagama faced.
Responsible for Colombo’s security
“Within two days of resuming duties as the officer responsible for security in Colombo after an arduous heart-by-pass abroad, General Paranagama had to deal with the assassinations of Lalith Athulathmudali and subsequently President Premedasa’s” he revealed.
Prof. Munasinghe said ”the country needs many more especially young ones, of the caliber of General Paranagama with bravery, strength, integrity, hard work, commitment, dedication and willingness to do the difficult tasks”.
“You deserve our renewed praise and gratitude for setting such a fine example to young officers” he added.
“Even I, a mere civilian know that the Armed Core modeled on traditional Cavalry Regiments is an elite unit in the military. You have truly lived up to your motto ’Wither the Fates call’.
The Guest of Honour at the event, former Governor Western Province, J.C. Logesweran who also spoke said he has known the Author of the, book, General Paranagama for 30 years, from the time he was serving as a Civil Administrator in Vavuniya when Major Generel Paranagama was also serving there.
Speaking of the book he described it as one that is” easy to read, clear, lucid and some of the most important events of his Army life so well packed into just 100 pages”. ”The simple style in which its’ written is an example others can follow” he added.
“In the book he has mentioned a number of people I had the privilege of associating with; General Attygala, General Cyril Ranatunge and the then Brigadier and later General, Denzil Kobbekaduwe who was General Paranagama’s predecessor in Vavuniya when I served in Vauniya as a Civil Administrator” he revealed.
“In that period those people at the time knew exactly the role that they should play and the role that the Civil Administrator should play. The line was clearly marked and there was a narrow strip which nobody crossed. It was remarkable working with them.” he informed.
No disappearances
Making a poignant point, Former Governor stated ”There is something very important I have wanted to say as a Civil Administrator for a long time-; During the times these high ranking Army officers, Kobbekaduwe, Paranagama, Jayewardena and Kyngsley were there, there was no instance where people were arrested and disappeared.
”There were no instances like that. Nothing like that” he emphasized. “That was not a problem. When somebody was, taken into custody, it was accounted for. Absolute discipline was maintained. People respected and looked up to the Army at that time. It was a great pleasure for me to work at that time” he recounted.
‘I was a Government Agent for nine years. Before that I functioned there in several other capacities” he asserted.
Raising another very important point, Former Governor Logesweran said that there is, what is called in Sinhala as ”Keelam” that creates all sorts of unnecessary issues and problems for Officers.
”By chance I came across an interesting book of an English anthropologist titled-:”Watching the English”. In the book she says, how the Englishman behaves and what is to be expected of him. In one instance she speaks about how the English people are very fond of their soldiers. One important thing is that they are disallowed to resort to undercutting people. They call it crass.”
Punishment for under-cutting
“If a soldier is found to be doing that, he would be given a thorough beating. He would, for example, have stitches the following day. Then he goes limping to where superior officers are and when they ask him what happened, he would say that he walked through a glass door. The superior officers tell him, if you say so, it must be so. The habit of standing by your people and not undercutting them is characteristic of an English Soldier. This is what struck me, in her book” he informed.
”General Paranagama speaks also of disappointments, meeting his ”nemesis” a word we refer to as a Greek God who takes revenge and retributive justice. When I read through I found he was justified in using the word and is praiseworthy how he has, in his characteristically decent style, written this part as well.”
Former Governor J.C.Logesweran strongly recommended to everyone to not merely read the book, but follow the General’s example of writing your own memoirs.
“His book gives not merely his personal odyssey of his life in the Army, but also the social political background of that time that he served. General Paranagama has led the way for others on this as well” he said concluding his speech.
Brother in Arms
Major Ranjan Senanayaka in his speech described himself as a Brother in Arms of General Paranagama and traced their association way back to 27th May 1957 when General Paranagama walked in to the Ridiyegama Camp.
“I remember him as recruit Trooper Paranagama with his backpack, at which time I had just returned after my training in the UK, and was put in charge of the training of new recruits” he recalled with much affection.
Proud of their association of 66 years, Major Senanayaka said that he does not regard the event as a ceremony but a celebration of the life of General Paranagama who he admires.
“He was an excellent Soldier, Whatever training he went into, he was an excellent product” he added. “Although my life in the Armed Core was short, we have remained friends todate. I had the privilege of being an attesting witness at his marriage, which I remember with love” he said.
”General Paranagama got promotions that he was entitled to. I do know he was devoted, determined, honest and one, who worked hard, wherever he went.”
Accolades from the US military
Major Senanayaka questioned-: What more honour can one ask for when a Brigadier of the US Army says that he would like to have him in the US Army? That last line written on a course report by a US Brigadier leapt out at me” he said. What more honour can our little island nation get from a high ranking Military Officer of the world’s powerful of nations” said Major Senanayaka, moved visibly with pride.
“If you ask me the value of this book, I would say, it’s a simple history of a man almost from a village school who walked through the ranks to be a Major General. I really admire this gentleman. I encourage all young officers to read the book and use it as a manual” he advised the officers that packed the hall. “Major General is a fine example for young officers to emulate” he added.
The book launch which was a well-organized full evening’s programme was conducted to military precision. The speeches of the outstanding three personalities and the author himself thanking the military for putting the book launch together got the evening’s programme to a grand start.
A cultural and musical item by the regimental cultural troupe added much splendor to the evening. The organizing of the entire programme was spearheaded by Colonel Commandant Major General Swarna Bothota and his staff.
The book is not for sale. Each invitee was given a complimentary copy. It can be requested from the Regiment and as per the choice of the Author any donations are welcome, only made directly to the Army towards the welfare of the Sri Lanka Armored Core First Renaissance Regiment.
The writer Charnika Imbulana Munasinghe is a veteran Journalist and the Assistant Treasurer of the Royal Commonwealth Society, Sri Lanka.
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