Tribute to Legendary Singer Latha Walpola How “Shrini Vibushitha” song inspired Military men

Latha Walpola

By Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne   

Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne reflects on the profound impact of the late Deshamannya Kala Soori Latha Walpola, whose voice became a pillar of strength for the military. During the historic 1991 amphibious landing at Vettelikani to save the besieged Elephant Pass, her patriotic hymns revitalized the morale of troops during their most critical hour.   

I attended funeral of Legendary Singer Deshamannya Kala Soori Latha Walpola today.   

I want to pen down her famous song “Shrini Vidushitha Lanka Derene Sinha Danaya Lelede” (Lion flag flying on Sri Lanka land) inspired military men during famous and largest Amphibious Landing at Vettelikani, Jaffna on 14th July 1991 to reinforce besieged Elephant Pass Military Complex.   

On 10th July 1991, strategically very important, gateway to Jaffna peninsula, Elephant Pass (EPS) Military Complex Commanded by Major (later Major General) Sanath Karunaratne came under heavy attack by LTTE terrorists. Our officers and men fought valiantly for days. Terrorists used mortars, heavy machine guns and armoured- plated Bulldozers to attack through heavily defended Military complex. Major Sanath Karunaratne defended his camp successfully even though his Second in command of the base, Major Lalith Buddadasa and several soldiers were killed on second day. Corporal Gamini Kularatne paid supreme Sacrifice by climbing into enemy armour-plated Bulldozer and lobbing grenades; there by destroying the terrorists inside. (later Gamini was awarded with Highest Gallantry Medal of Sri Lanka- Parama Wira Vibushanaya - PWV). Air support - helicopter landing of reinforcement troops was impossible. Major Sanath Karunaratne defended the camp valiantly but LTTE leadership decided to commit all their troops to somehow overrun the military base.   

Military higher Command decided to carry out an amphibious assault landing mission at Vettelikani and advance towards EPS military complex.   

Largest amphibious landing in our history was launched. Troops were carried on board two huge Surveillance Command ships (SCSs) (SLNS Edithara and Wickrama), Landing Craft (s).   

Major Gen Denzil Kobbekaduwa the Commander of Second Division as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the operation and Brigadier Vijaya Wimalaratne as his deputy and Amphibious Landing Force commander. The Naval Units were under Command of then Commander Northern Naval Area, Captain (later Rear Admiral) H R Amaraweera.   

The first wave of amphibious landing moved towards enemy land by 1400 hrs on that day, but very heavy attack by enemy on approaching water jets and landing craft took casualties. Commanders decided to abandon the operation and to regroup and come back.   

Boats loaded with Army personnel for first wave of landing returning to SCSs! Morale was really low!!!!!   

Something unusual happened in SLNS Wickrama commanded by Commander (later Captain) Ranjith Wettewa, brilliant Deep-Sea diver trained in UK and very outspoken and highly patriotic senior officer. On his instructions, on ship’s hailers Sinhala patriotic songs started playing louder starting with beautiful song of Latha Walpola!!!   

General Denzil and Brigadier Wimalaratne with consultation Navy Captain Amaraweera decided to turn back and try the amphibious landing again!   

Enemy NEVER EXPECTED THIS MOVE! Moral was very high! Troops shouted “We are going to put the SRI LANKA FLAG ON GROUND!!!   

Thanks, legendary singer Dear Latha Walpola for giving us such songs to inspire us in battle to bring Victory!   

Let generations of military men be inspired by “Shrini Vibushitha Lanka Derene Sinha Dajaya Lelade”!!!   

The writer Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne is WV, RWP and Bar, RSP, VSV, USP, NI (M) (Pakistan), ndc, psn, Bsc (Hons) (War Studies) (Karachi) MPhil (Madras), Former Navy Commander and Former Chief of Defense Staff, Former Chairman, Trincomalee Petroleum Terminals Ltd, Former Managing Director Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Former High Commissioner to Pakistan