Feeding even the enemy on the battlefield
Feeding even the enemy on the battlefield – This is a remarkable incident in the history of global warfare.
The tall man in uniform pictured here is Captain Kotelawala of the Sri Lankan Army. He commanded the troops stationed at the Yarlpanam Fort.
The Fort was besieged under the command of Kittu. Hundreds of Sinhalese soldiers, led by Kotelawala, were trapped inside. Their supplies of food and water were cut off. Helicopters would not land at the Fort for fear of attacks by the LTTE. The soldiers inside were suffering from hunger.
Colonel Kittu received a walkie-talkie call from Captain Kotelawala. Kotelawala’s voice was trembling. “We are suffering without food. There is no water, nor is there firewood for cooking. Will you allow our helicopters to bring us food?” he asked.
Kittu felt heaviness in his heart. After all, he was a Tamil who – despite the adversary status – did not wish to see the enemy suffer such deprivation. “Your helicopters are not permitted here. If you wish, we will provide the food ourselves. I will send a lorry with food supplies and firewood. Just ensure your men do not attack,” Kittu said. Kotelawala agreed.
Shortly thereafter, the lorry sent by Kittu entered the Fort, delivered the food, and returned. Captain Kotelawala expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Kittu. Fighting resumed in the area subsequently. Yet, even while the conflict was ongoing, Kittu and Kotelawala would frequently halt hostilities to meet and speak with each other in person. Through their meeting, the bodies of the fallen from both sides were exchanged.
In later days, Colonel Kittu, caught in a Indo-Sri Lankan military plot, took his own life alongside ten comrades, in accordance with the movement’s tradition. Captain Kothalawala, realizing the legitimacy of the struggle of the LTTE, resigned from the Sri Lankan Army and fled to a foreign country.
(Courtesy: Muthaiyah)
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