By Charnika Imbulana Munasinghe

“As an officer and a gentleman par excellence Major General Tilak Paranagama rose in the ranks from Officer Cadet 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 recent launch of General Paranagama’s autobiography titled DESTINY-‘My life in the Army’ at the Rock House Camp, Mutwal.

The only Sri Lankan Nobel Peace Prize laureate (2007) 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.”

As someone who had associated with the General for over two decades, Munasinghe 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 at the Royal Commonwealth Society, Sri Lanka, of which he is currently President.”

“His memoirs being launched today is a unique testament to his dedication to the Armed Forces and unstinting loyalty to our nation,” he added.

Highlighting a few of Paranagama’s career achievements set out in the book, 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 the rank of colonel.

“After completing a course in the US, General Paranagama received the highest praise from a US General. He described him as ‘a brilliant student with no weaknesses’. In 2007 the President of Sri Lanka conferred him with the National Honour of Desha Keerthi for his services to the nation.”

Prof. Munasinghe acknowledging the hardships endured by the armed forces being away from the comfort of a loving family and facing stress while carrying out military duties, recounted a few of many such occasions that General Paranagama faced.

“Within two days of resuming duties as the officer responsible for security in Colombo after a heart bypass abroad, General Paranagama had to deal with the assassinations of Lalith Athulathmudali and subsequently President Premedasa’s,” he revealed.

“The country needs many more especially young people of the caliber of General Paranagama with bravery, strength, integrity, hard work, commitment, dedication and willingness to do the difficult tasks.” he said. “You deserve our renewed praise and gratitude for setting such a fine example to young officers.”

“Even I, a mere civilian, know that the Armoured Corps 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. Logeswaran said he has known General Paranagama for 30 years, from the time he was serving as a civil administrator in Vavuniya when Paranagama was also serving there.

“In the book he has mentioned a number of people I had the privilege of associating with: General Attygalle, General Cyril Ranatunge and then Brigadier and later General, Denzil Kobbekaduwe who was Paranagama’s predecessor in Vavuniya when I served in Vauniya as a Civil Administrator,” he revealed.

“In that period the military knew the exact role they should play and the role of the civil administrator. The line was clearly marked and nobody crossed it. It was remarkable working with such officers.”

Making a telling point, the former governor said: “There is something very important I have wanted to say as a long time civil administrator. Then when these high ranking army officers like Kobbekaduwa, Paranagama, Jayewardena and Kingsley were in charge, there were no instances where people disappeared after being arrested.”

“There was nothing like that” he emphasized. “That was not a problem. When somebody was, taken into custody, he/she 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 then,” he recounted.

‘I was a Government Agent for nine years. Before that I functioned there in several other capacities.”