Today 26th December 2024 marks the 20th Anniversary of the Worst NATURAL Disaster caused due to a TSUNAMI that was triggered following an Earthquake near North Sumatra Island @ 6.58 am and after 2 hours Waves smashed several unsuspecting countries including our loving Motherland Sri Lanka’s coastal belt with rising waves of 800 KMs per hour destroying precious lives and property, affecting families and generations with irreparable damage.
While in Sri Lanka approximately 35000 lives were lost, in 14 countries of the region 228000 were killed on this Sunday following the day after Christmas on 2004.
In this Worst disaster a train that was travelling from Fort Colombo towards the South of the country which took a toll of 1270 lives.
This tragedy affected people of all walks of life and did not even spared the Sporting Featernity as several got killed or their loving family members.
I would like to share some info about one such sporting personality a known great Sportsman’ s family suffered a terrible irreparable loss and that is the family members of former Sri Lanka National Basketball Captain 2003 – 2006 Chaminda De Alwis a former Sebastianite who hails from a respectable family in Moratuwa.
Presently, Chaminda is the Basketball Secretary of the leading Sports and Social Club in Moratuwa – Carlton Club of which I happen to be a Trustee. Chaminda also handles the Club’s Basketball Academy.
Chaminda was happily spending this holiday weekend with the family in a hotel at Unawatuna.
His loving parents Elsworth and Ranjani along with his wife and three young daughters, the youngest daughter was only around 2 months old.
The TSUNAMI trategy struck this lovely family on this fateful day โฆ both parents who were at the beach walking were wiped out along with his loving wife and the 2 month old daughter who were trapped in the wash room while Chaminda had the sense to to take the two older precious daughters now 20+ years to higher safer ground and save their lives along with his own.
I wonder whether anyone could even imagine what he has undergone during the past 20 years.
Like to take the opportunity to recognize at this point another Basketball Stalwart Captain Elmo Jayawardene renowned Boeing 747 Captain of Sri Lankan and Singapore Airlines and a senior Pilots Trainer for Boeing and at Emirates Training Centre Dubai. As mentioned, himself a keen Basketball enthusiast and presently a Masters Player and his charming and dynamic wife Dil who are the Founders of the famous international social service organisation AFLAC ( It is better to Light a Soletary Candle than remain in Darkness concept) provided Chaminda the opportunity to serve their Social Service organization as a key full-time staff member.
At this stage, I like to share with you about my loving one and only Brother Retd Air Vice Marshal Lalaka Peiris VSV / Former Director Logistics SLAF who passed away exactly 8 months ago on 25th April 2024.
Aiya joined the 1st Batch of SLAF Officer Cadets in 1972 and reached the highest rank / position a non-flyer could reach which is to be an AVM & serve in the SLAF Directorate as the Director Logistics. Also he was awarded the highest accolade of VSV Vishishta Seva Vibushana presented by former SL President Mahinda Rajapakse.
Lalaka’s only two batchmates flyers who ultimately became SLAF Commanders were Retd Air Marshals Jayalath Weerakkody and Donald Perera.
Following the TSUNAMI tragedy, two former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Jr visited Sri Lanka to assess the situation and goodwill mission and Lalaka had the privilege of hosting them as the Base Commander of the Vavuniya SLAF Camp.
Lalaka has also held the key positions as the Base Commander of China Bay and Katunayake Bases apart from being the CPO Chief Purchasing Officer of SLAF before assuming his ultimate accolade as the Director Logistics.
May his Soul RIP and Rise in Glory ๐๐
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