AYUBOWAN YALUWA-A SPIRITED NATION

-By Wing Commander Munim Khan Majlish,psc
Owlet (DSCSC, Sri Lanka Journal) 2013

Theeksina had been assisting many of my friends in printing and compiling research papers for long. As it was getting late, I requested her to go for a lunch break as it was getting late and in the meantime we could help ourselves for a while. She utterly surprised me by announcing that she had been working since the previous day morning without stopping. She was still in a cheerful and humorous mood while extending her support. I only wondered and imagined that people of this beautiful island nation had acquired extraordinary positive strength over the centuries that are unique and unparallel. I often witnessed such display of passion in numerous occasions while observing my fellow officers still had excitement for joys and happiness to celebrate despite being occupied by relentless challenging events at sleepless nights in syndicate rooms during conducting exercises.
I just lost my most precious treasure of my life--my beloved mother before leaving my country. The grief and melancholy engulfed the mind of the lonely son who found his living almost meaningless and unbearable. With such a dismay and depressing frame of mind I had arrived in Sri Lanka to attend staff course at the Defence Services Command and Staff College. The tenderly conduct of the officer who received me at the airport and then the warmth welcome and hospitality shown by another young officer at the entrance of my quarters truly inspired me to smile for the first time after several days. The spirited inhabitants of this stunning nation persistently radiated their passionate and joyful fragrance, and automatically influenced me to tune into their ecstatic symphony. Such sweet sensation persisted all the time during my stay at Sri Lanka due to happy company of ever cheerful people of ancient “Serendib”.
The spirited people of the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” often amaze us by their optimistic and elegant manners. The philosophy of the great Buddha to show the maximum restrains and respect to others had been integrated deep into their thinking process. I was actually marvelled by witnessing the jubilance of my fellow course mates while discovering them genuinely competing in basketball match in a dangerous slippery condition due to non-stop drizzle. I was once again amazed to be part of a group of delighted youth cheerfully climbing dangerous mountain trails in the morning for conducting exercise at Dambulla Hill and descending down in the afternoon with a jolly frame of mind. My spirited comrades all the time gleefully participated in the strenuous physical tests immediately after completion of a whole day’s class programme. I never found people of Ceylon complaining or showing grievances; rather they were always found to be concentrating on their respective individual tasks for contributing in the greater endeavour for achieving glorious success. It is this courage and eagerness to restore harmony that made people of this attractive “Isle of Delight” to bring peace.
The nation paid tribute to its courageous children by honouring them with gallantry awards for their bravery act during the civil war against the most brutal terrorist organisation LTTE. I used to feel proud to come across the gallantry war heroes in Bangladesh whom we profoundly bestowed esteem and honour. At present, I am living with these war legends who sacrificed maximum for safeguarding the sovereignty of the nation. I am indeed thrilled in the midst of these valiant heroes of Sri Lanka Armed Forces.
The LTTE rebels skilfully exploited the sentiment of the greater Tamil community around the world and organised into a frightening guerrilla force having sea and air capabilities. When they were able to control most of the coastal areas of north and east covering one third of the territory, the valiant soldiers of the motherland did not hesitate to resist the devil occupancy. The peace loving citizen of the resplendent island had voluntarily sacrificed to defeat the insurgency. When I learned about the courageous attempt of Sri Lanka Army in Kilinochchi-Parantay-Mullaittivu operations, or Madhu-Mannar operations, I obviously bow to those brave soldiers and commanders for their glorious sacrifices and accomplishment. The attempt of Sri Lanka Navy to deny sea lines of communication to the LTTE by adopting innovative tactics, or destruction of the LTTE owned merchant ships at high sea, or denying of the LTTE’s pioneering and brutal efforts to destabilise the coastal areas only refer to unique legacy that can be a subject of research for all seafaring nations around the world. The endeavour of Sri Lanka Air Force to sustain Jaffna and the Northern peninsula surrounded by enemy territory by providing relentless air support by adopting well coordinated innovative tactics and flight profile through a temporary sea corridor is nothing but the invention of new concept of the application of air power. They further astound the air strategists by intercepting the LTTE light aircraft at night with intense coordinated utilization of fighters and attack helicopters under positive control of ground based air defence radar. I am not only amazed by acquainting with these heroic acts and actors but also feel proud to be a part of a defence force.
Buddhism originated a cultural revolution more than 2500 years ago in the “Isle of Gems”. The cultural revolution brought an era of unsurpassed achievement. It fashioned life-styles of people, fostered the arts and culture, and inspired the creation of massive temples, monasteries, statues, and construction of vast man-made reservoirs and irrigation systems which even today defy engineering interpretation of modern science. The glittering tapestry of culture and the rich abundance of nature also ensured its inhabitants to be immensely open hearted, greatly accommodative and exceptionally assertive as thinking personalities.
I was greatly honoured by my friend Sampath while visiting the ancient city of Anuradhapura. He surprised us by arranging a “Sarong” party inviting his friends and associates. He created a Sinhala customary ambience by entertaining us with traditional Sinhala music and dance performance. My family members were overwhelmed with joy and honour when we were invited by the owner of the hotel we stayed at the kingdom of Bijay to light the candles to mark the beginning of Sinhala New Year at dawn. We were once again contented to witness the brotherhood bondage of Sinhala community in the “Wesak Day”. We found the whole nation was offering food and drinks to each other to commemorate the birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and death (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha. We were often stopped on the highway while going to Kandy for accepting happy offerings of the cheerful Sinhala communities.
The people of Sri Lanka never lack fervour to express their hospitality and generosity. My friend Mohan astonished us when he ignored the rare opportunity to enjoy weekends with his family members, and instead accompanied my family to explore the treasured gem stone mines at Ratnapura area. He patiently calmed down his crying infant daughter and eagerly waiting loving wife’s silent desire to stay back home only to accompany us. I can never forget the elegant hospitality of Thilina during my sudden visit to Pinnawala elephant orphanage. I was delighted with ecstasy to receive the warmth hospitality of Madhura, his lovely wife and affectionate young kids at Ratnamala while visiting Mount Lavinia for a while. It will never be end to describe the loving and sincere conduct of culturally enriched Sri Lankan people during my short stay at the “most beautiful island of Asia” as was described by the world renowned traveller Ibn Battuta.
The elegant heritage of this lovely island was fully orchestrated by the conduct of my dear friend in Sri Lanka. When I was reluctant to conduct my research thinking of plenty of time available, my good friend Janaka took extra initiative to obtain the SPSS data analysis programme for me and then ensured its application for conducting my research. When I could not concentrate on my research during my overseas study tour to Malaysia, Janaka showed more concern regarding my research. He brought some important articles on aviation safety published in the newspaper in Pakistan thinking that those might be useful for my study. I was just mesmerized and fascinated to receive such warmth and compassion. Ayubowan Yaluva, the spirited nation, I will ever remember you, my esteem will always be with you.