It was Easter Sunday of 2019. Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship ‘Suraksha’, a 100-metre-long Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), was getting ready for a 14-day patrol. Her tanks were topped up with fuel. All victuals required for the 10 officers and 100 men crew onboard for the 14-day voyage were loaded. Both cold and cool rooms were filled with fresh fish, meat and vegetables. The ship was ready to sail at 12 noon on 21st April 2019.

The young lieutenant on board, who took over his new sea appointment as the Assistant Logistic Officer a few days ago, was looking forward to a new experience. A new appointment, a new ship, new friends, and new crew! He wanted to impress them with his hard work. A call came from his mother around 7AM, informing him that his family were on their way to the village Church at Kochchikade, Negombo. He was the second son of a devoted Catholic family.

He was going to miss the Easter Sunday Mass this year. He suddenly got an idea, and quickly went up to the Commanding Officer’s cabin and tapped gently. “Yes, the door is open” the Commanding Officer responded. His Commanding Officer was a decorated former Naval Special Forces Captain. He was attached to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard on a two-year assignment as the Commanding Officer of this OPV. The young Lieutenant requested the Commanding Officer’s permission to go to Church and attend the Easter Mass. Although the Commanding Officer was a decorated Naval Officer with a clear track record of bravery and valor, he was kind-hearted.

After all, his young subordinate was requesting permission to go to Church on Easter Sunday. He knew his junior was a devoted Catholic. The Commanding Officer himself was a devoted Catholic and had attended the midnight Easter Mass the night before. Permission was granted to the young officer to go to Church, with below guidance, which he regrets today.

“Sudath, the closest Church to us is St Anthony’s Church at Kochchikade (Colombo). It has been the custom since time immemorial for Naval Officers, whether or not they are Catholics, to light a candle at this Church when they receive their sea going appointments. We turn our ships towards this Church before leaving the Colombo harbour to get blessings of St Anthony.

St Anthony is the Saint who looks after the seafarers like us. So, you’re granted permission to attend the mass at St Anthony’s Church at Kochchikade. Take the ship’s vehicle. Be sure to return no later than 1100 hrs. We are sailing at 12 noon”

The young Lieutenant quickly changed into his best civilian clothes and went to the Church. He wanted to light a candle, pray for him and the crew, and return to the ship as soon as possible. The time was 0830. Then he heard an announcement that the Tamil mass was about to start in 10 minutes at 0840. The Church was full of devotees. Families with their children dressed in their best Sunday dresses. They were happy, chatting with each other and eagerly waiting for the Mass to begin. Our young Lieutenant could understand and speak Tamil fluently. He had adequate time to attend the Tamil Mass also, as he was due to return to ship by 11:00 AM. So, he decided to return the vehicle, and wait for the Mass to begin. He told the young driver “You can go. I will attend the Mass and return to the ship shortly. I can get a three-wheeler from here. It’s not that far from here to the Naval Base”. The driver left with the ship’s vehicle.

The Tamil Mass started at 0840 sharp. The suicide bomber walked into the Church at 0845. A bomb went off rocking the nearby Naval Base.

News started coming in about the blast at the St Anthony’s Church at Kochchikade. The CO of the SLCG ship Suraksha knew his subordinate was at the church. He rang his mobile phone while rushing to the scene. The mobile phone was ringing but there was no answer. The ship’s crew was looking for their officer while transferring the casualties. The CO rang the mobile phone of his subordinate officer again. This time someone answered! A female voice! She introduced herself as a nurse in the Accident Ward of the General Hospital Colombo. “Sir, he is dead!”

The CO sat at the curbside with tears in his eyes. He is a battle hardened Naval Special Forces man. He has seen many deaths and destruction during his Naval life, but still it is not easy for him to bear this loss. He wondered “My God! Why did I grant him permission to go to Church?”

Lieutenant (S) Sudath Nadeeshan Silva was born in Kochikade, Negombo, on 23 November 1991, as the second son of his family. He had one elder and one younger brother. He had his early education at Thoppuwa St Philip Neri’s Sinhala Mixed School, Kochchikade, and Maris Stella College, Negombo. He had proved to be one of the best students at school who excelled in both studies and sports.

He joined the Sir John Kotalawala Defence University (KDU) as an Officer Cadet on 17 September 2012. Sudath excelled in cricket. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Logistics Management KDU in 2016, and subsequently completed his Sub-Lieutenant Logistics Management course at the Naval and Maritime Academy at Trincomalee. Sudath had just joined the SLCG ship Suraksha as his first sea appointment, when tragedy struck. He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander posthumously and buried with full military honors.

May he Rest in Peace!

When the sun goes down, and in the morning, we will remember him.

Admiral RAVINDRA C.

WIJEGUNARATNE