Appreciation

All the officers of the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps (Volunteers), including myself, were extremely saddened to hear that Nalinda, one of our former staff officers and a loving friend, had made the supreme sacrifice for Sri Lanka on January 8, 2009 in Pallai.

I first met Nalinda when he was seconded to the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps( volunteer) as a staff officer in March 2000. This was a result of Sri Lanka Army’s effective system of sending selected veteran regulars as administrative officers to volunteer units which consist of part-time soldiers like myself. When I enquired about him from outgoing staff officer Major Keerthi Kottewatte GW (now a Lieutenant Colonel), Keerthi simply replied, "Nalinda is a better man than me". After one year of associating with Nalinda professionally and socially as his immediate senior officer I would give the same reply to the same question!

Nalinda was a decorated war hero before he reached us. When he started his administrative job in our unit he revealed his softer but equally effective and efficient facet in dealing with matters related to providing healthcare for the soldiers. Nalinda had an unenviable job of administering a textbook volunteer unit like SLAMC(v), where most of the officers and many senior non- commissioned officers had many responsibilities in their civil jobs. This necessitated him to communicate frequently with many civil departments and institutions, which he carried out extremely well. His natural politeness and courteousness were a real asset in this respect. Nalinda was quick to grasp essential technical knowledge relevant to the smooth functioning of a medical unit. He was even quicker to grasp unique character differences of medical, paramedical and nursing staff which he had to administer. This produced a satisfying, memorable and productive year of working together.

Nalinda always had an even temperament. I have never seen him losing control of himself although I can recollect many deserving incidents in our army life. His serious professional expression could change swiftly into a beautiful smile when the occasion arose. He was an empathic listener who, after hours of patient listening to a problem, would give sound calculated advice which almost always worked. When given an order Nalinda would throw back a barrage of questions which would range from usefulness of it, possible problems in execution and complications, a habit which disturbed me initially but earned my respect later. Once a senior reconfirms an order with or without necessary adjustments, he would carry it out not only to the letter but in spirit. In execution of a task Nalinda was a meticulous planner, a past-master of critical thinking. He took his time to analyse things systematically and calmly searching for all available facts. He could see many aspects of a problem than most of us. Nalinda was cautious to a fault. I can almost picture him saying smilingly with a unique gesture he used to do with his hands, "sir, give me a little time, let me think over this". Nalinda was well versed in regulations and traditions of the services and was brilliant at getting done almost anything we wanted within the military framework. Possessing a remarkable sensitivity to and an understanding of human nature he would objectively consider elements, such as, effects of personal and institutional rivalries, jealousies, and competitions in routine decision- making, a skill I owe him.

Military is a place where one routinely encounters and in fact runs on the highest degree of brotherhood among its members. However Nalinda had something extra in him which made everyone immediately feel comfortable enough to discuss any intimate matters. Many officers and other ranks benefited from the valuable guidance of this officer whose personal and professional maturity extended well beyond his chronological age. Nalinda was always advising other officers of the value of contended life and necessity of doing one’s duty by everyone- oneself, family, friends and relatives as well as the nation.

He practised what he preached. Nalinda was a devoted husband to Nilmi and a father to Nadeel, planning his family life with equal care and talent. He was slowly and steadily improving his home circumstances while attending to matters of his extended family up to the time of his demise.

A Sri Lankan par excellence, a brave officer, a brilliant administrator, a dear friend and a devoted family man, I have to agree with Colonel Tony Mutumala SLAMC in calling him a Perfect Officer and a Gentleman. Value of our life depends on with whom we share it. ‘Dear Nalinda, may we all serve together when we come back to protect this nation again and again before reaching the final destination every Buddhist aims for which is attainment of Nibbana!’

Lieutenant Colonel (Dr) Ranjana W Seneviratne RSP, SLAMC