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‘Hope rescued’ – SLAF, Navy peace-time joint operation

July 21, 2010  06:03 pm

A frequent visitor to the eastern town of Trincomalee narrated this story to AdaDerana this morning. A former Sri Lanka Air Force officer, he witnessed a peace-time ‘humanitarian operation’ by the Sri Lanka Air Force life guard and a Sri Lanka Navy patrol boat.

The incident happened yesterday at Marble Beach near the SLAF base at China Bay in Trincomalee. The time was around 1.30 in the afternoon. The incident highlighted the chivalry and gallantry of the Sri Lankan armed forces still ingrained within them even after the long battles with the terrorists which they won last year.

Some kids, enjoying a holiday on the Marble Beach were playing with a blue ball. Suddenly, one kid missed a catch and the ball flew towards the sea. Their efforts to retrieve the ball proved futile.

A SLAF life guard on duty saw the plight of the children and even without anybody urging him, jumped into the sea and swam towards the floating ball, which by now was moving further towards the horizon. He swam quite a distance but alas, nature seemed to take the better of him. The distance was becoming too long and the currents too strong. The gallant SLAF life guard had to give up the chase and swim back towards shore.

But hope arrived under another guise. A Sri Lanka Navy patrol boat had seen the life guard’s vain attempt to retrieve the beach ball. The boat did a detour, retrieved the blue beach ball from the sea and sailed towards shore. Smiles of happiness broke out on the kids’ faces. They started clapping and jumping up and down on the sandy beach.

But alas! The patrol boat had to stop a long way off the shore as it could not reach land to hand over the ball to the cheering kids anyway.

All hopes were lost?

No. Even though the SLAF life guard who had swam after the ball earlier was tired after his first effort, he just jumped into the sea again, all tiredness apparently being erased by the children’s happiness. He swam up to the Sri Lanka Navy patrol boat and the sailors handed over the ball to him. He swam back to shore and triumphantly gave the blue beach ball to the kids.

A retired Sri Lanka Air Force Wing Commander, Raju Laxana witnessed this incident and reported it to AdaDerana as this ‘rescue operation’ is worthy of mention, particularly to highlight the compassion and humanitarian nature of fellow Sri Lankans.

Lost hope can always be rescued when we have such gallant individuals who rise to the occasion as a team. Well done Sri Lanka Air Force, well done Sri Lanka Navy!

Viewer Comments

July 21, 2010  06:23 pm

good stuff :)

Anoj

July 21, 2010  06:36 pm

Sri Lankan armed forces are the best be it in war or peace.

Asanka De Silva

July 21, 2010  06:59 pm

Is this breaking news of the most popular news site in Sri Lanka. shame

Kurthan

July 21, 2010  07:22 pm

kurthan dont display your ignorance news sites does not carry only "breaking news" they carry other news as well.well done SLAF & SLN

luxman

July 21, 2010  07:29 pm

Kurthan , whoever you are , you must appreciate the the good , you fellows are still negative minded , looking for faults, just imagin if your child was also there ? how happy would he/she be.

Ravi Seneviratne

July 21, 2010  08:02 pm

Well done S.L.A.F & S.L Navy!!

Kamal

July 21, 2010  08:06 pm

´´Mr´´ kurthan, barbarians like you have no place for love, warmth or empathy. Only thing we can expect from you is cold-blooded murders. No wonder you don´t know the meaning of harmony and you with your kind are destined to live in others´ lands. You are nothing but uncivilized squtters.

boobamba

July 21, 2010  08:09 pm

Kurthan seems soo upset that the SL forces are serving the masses every way possible!

kiriaththa

July 21, 2010  08:15 pm

Dear Kurthan, This may not a breaking news ( I also don´t Derana mention this as breaking news) but just to show the world only humens live in SL, please try to underastnd it

Tharindu

July 21, 2010  08:22 pm

@kurthan . there is lot more things to be ashamed of.. if u can´t bear these stories u always has the right to switch to some other pro-LTTE site !

hrm

July 21, 2010  08:28 pm

good news..! hey kurthan.. every news not essentially be breaking news ! nothing shame there.. you want some heart breaking news all the time ? go away !

saneshj

July 21, 2010  08:43 pm

Reply to Kurthan : Shame on U ! u cannt appreciate a good work of the security personnel and even of the Derana team ! Good work Derana Team,,, ! whoever is done a good thing must be appreciated,,,

Thanuja N

July 21, 2010  08:59 pm

Kurthan,its not a breaking news for you.you are waiting for another bomb to explode or another bullet to be fired.but for most of peace loving citizens of Sri lanka it´s a good news a damn good news.

Sri Lankan

July 21, 2010  09:15 pm

Excelent stuff, Its call humanity..Well done

imran

July 21, 2010  11:24 pm

Kurthan,you people are still in the old racist divisive mentality. "Kapu pathe renna minissu"

Lankaputhra

July 22, 2010  04:20 am

Well done SLAF and SLN!! We are proud of you as always!! Don´t worry about the comments of Kuruthan!!Because Lord Buddha had enamies like "Ajasaththa". Keep up doing your good work to all Sri Lankans desptite their religion or race.

Lanka

July 22, 2010  04:40 am

Well done SLAF SLN, This ia great evidance to the world that we have humanitarian acts.

Tudor

July 22, 2010  04:40 am

Hi Laki, Good to see you reporting from China Bay!!

Raty

July 22, 2010  08:54 am

WELL DONE SLAF/SLN/ADA DERANA Kurthan - Get lost.

Bhathiya Waduge

July 22, 2010  09:12 am

This is the beautiful attitude of the Sri Lankans warm hearted and loving. Keep it u wonderful guys , keep the flag flying high. Thanks.

SriLankan

July 22, 2010  09:59 am

I salute the great officers who did a great job for our future leaders.

Mohamed Anas

July 22, 2010  12:28 pm

@kurthan- Kurthan, you are a utter joker..! Shame on you and not on Derana! Welldone SLAF & SLN, we allways appreciate you. Police should start an investigation on this culprit whether he is a member of "Mas Veddas".

Lucky

July 22, 2010  01:18 pm

This is why they are called Heroes. Proud of you. kurthan idiot - shame

prasa

July 22, 2010  02:56 pm

Best things always for kids... thank you guys whi loved so much to unknown kids... this is how we sri lankans... love them no matter whoese kids they are

Sera

July 23, 2010  07:34 am

Kurthan, yes of course for LTTE sympathizers like you, hearing good about Srilankan forces is a HEART BREAKING NEWS!

MCK