Sea Tigers – Colonel Nilavan
Sea Tigers – Colonel Nilavan
Six feet tall, attractive appearance, innocent smile, his politically articulate speech, his ability to exercise military equipment, and his hard work and improvement – This is our unforgettable Nilavan.
Nilavan joined the Sea Tigers from the Imran Pandian Brigade. He had a rifle in his hand. He fought on boats with this weapon. Nilavan went to battles as a weapon instructor on boats. He developed himself to be an expert in handling various types of weapons. Nilavan handled weapons and fought sea battles and gradually grew as a boat driver, a mechanic, a telecommunications operator, and eventually became a commanding officer guiding the boat. I have been proud of him many times for his development in a very short period.
Considering his performance, I had included him in the operational team of the Sea Tigers. Nilavan worked very effectively and responsibly in the operational team that worked tirelessly. Nilavan had gained long sea experience and had established himself as an excellent sailor. It was my wish that the rising fighters with good energy and personality should have administrative skills. Therefore, I gave Nilavan the responsibility of the supply section of the Sea Tigers, which was not at all suitable for him. But Nilavan performed that task very neatly without any setbacks.
It was at this time that I entrusted the responsibility of protecting the community under the control of the Sri Lankan forces in Mannar from the addiction of ‘drugs’, stopping their use, and awakening the people from this bad habit. Nilavan went to Mannar and approached everyone, including priesthood, scholars, and social leaders, and told them about the duty to protect the community. He went from house to house and created awareness among the people. Nilavan´s his great effort saved the people from great danger.
Nilavan had earned a lasting place among the people through social work. He had also been active in the Mannar Action Team for some time. It was in this situation that the Tsunami disaster occurred. There was a need to restore and resettle the people from this loss and destruction. There was a responsibility to quickly implement the rehabilitation and development projects of the affected people. It was here that I had appointed Nilavan for the development and resettlement work of Vadamaradchi East. But as Vadamaradchi was his native place, he did not agree to go and work there. He was a little hesitant. But I called Nilavan and explained the situation and made him realize that this was a great task for the people, did he take up the job.
Nilavan had put himself in the work day and night and came back to me within a certain time. When he was saying, he doesn´t want to work there, I realized that some misunderstandings had affected his mind. Then I sent someone else in his place and appointed Nilavan in charge of the Trincomalee district. He had also accepted the task very willingly. He had stood firm and worked with great determination and passion during a very tense period there.
Later when Nilavan returned from Trincomalee I had entrusted the responsibility of the Lt. Col. Pakiyan Brigade. He worked hard to develop that brigade. His hard work brought about major changes in that brigade.
It was at this time on 26.12.2007 the Mannar Neduntheevu battle began. When the commander of a boat who had gone to the island due to illness Nilavan took over the boat and did not return. I miss this flexible fighter who worked tirelessly, efficiently, and confidently in any task given to him at any time. I also share the sorrow of his family who are grieving his loss.
“The thirst of the Tigers is homeland of Tamileelam”
Memory Sharing:
Colonel Shankar Soosai Special Commander The Sea Tigers of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
(Correction by Tamilpriya)
0 Comments