| I, Asoka Dayaratna, President of Association of Disabled Ex-service
Personnel was born and brought up in Jaffna in 1954 as my father
was employed in the Police stationed in Jaffna. During my stay
there I had cordial relation ship with all the Tamils I came
across. Later I joined the Army in 1972. After the preliminary
training at Diyathalawa Training Camp I was drafted to the Light
Infantry Unit. For the first time when the Commando unit was
formed in the Sri Lanka Army I was also an active member in
it. The commando unit had the opportunity to get expertise advice
from the Special Air Services SSA of Briton. Further I underwent
training in India also. The Commando unit officers got intensive
training in handling of weapons, which is not normally experienced
by ordinary soldiers. Due to this special training we had, we
were compelled to participate in military operations directed
to safe guarding the sovereignty of Sri Lanka against the |
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| outbreak of activities by Tamil militants. Further we were
given training in |
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| VIP duties and for the first time I was engaged in looking
after the safety of General Tissa Weerasinghe from LTTE threats.
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| In 1985 when LTTE attacked Anuradhapura Sri Maha
Bodiya killing so many innocent civilians and was fleeing to
Wilpaththu jungle when we arrived in a helicopter. I was also
one who fought face to face with them killing few militants.
In this confrontation I was injured in the Right arm and left
leg, very badly necessitating my right arm being amputated just
below the shoulder. It was a coincident that my wife was also
admitted to the hospital for her confinement on the same day.
I became the father of my eldest daughter on this same day that
I lost my right arm. |
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The government at that time gave all the medical facilities
available in Sri Lanka and I was sent to Israel to fix an artificial
arm. After 2 years convalescing from my injuries I bid good-bye
to Army and started my own industry in dealing with spices.
For my valiant service I was bestowed with "Desha Puthra
Sammanaya" with promotion to the staff sergeant grade.
Two of my brothers while serving the Army and Police as Officers
sacrificed their lives due to the cruel war paying the supreme
penalty. While experiencing all these 'tragedies' I could get
my self-convinced that peace is life to every one and decide
to go ahead with obtaining peace to the whole country.
After getting convinced regarding
the perils of War and realizing the suffering |
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undergone by the affected servicemen and their families I
with few dedicated
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| colleagues of mine formed the Association of Disabled Ex-service
Personnel in 1994 Even though originally ADEP was meant only
for disabled. Later the doors |
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| were opened to family members of deceased and
disappeared servicemen also. I continued as the President of
ADEP for the last 8 years looking after the welfare and benefits
of my members safeguarding their rights and obtaining whatever
facilities they could be provided with the help of the government
and well wishers. |
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