- Saved drowning woman from Kotmale Reservoir
- Corporal Pasindu commended by Army
Lance Corporal H.H. Pasindu, a distinguished member of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces, entered his name into the annals through an act of extraordinary bravery. His valorous actions involved saving a woman on the verge of attempting suicide by jumping into the daunting 60-feet deep Kotmale Reservoir. In recognition of his exceptional courage, Lance Corporal H.H. Pasindu was honoured with the prestigious Army Commander’s Commendation Badge at the Sri Lanka Army Headquarters.
Lance Corporal H.H. Pasindu with Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage
In an exclusive interview, Lance Corporal H.H. Pasindu shared insights into the essence of his courageous feat, shedding light on the pivotal moments that defined this remarkable act of heroism. The interview provides a glimpse into the mindset, determination, and unwavering commitment that drove Lance Corporal H.H. Pasindu risked his own safety to save another life, ultimately earning him the admiration and commendation of the Sri Lanka Army.
Q: Who are you?
A: I am Lance Corporal H. H. Pasindu Prabhat from the 4th Special Forces Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army. I studied at Sumana Secondary School in Talawakele.
Q: Tell us about your family?
A: My father is H.H. Nimal. Mother is H.H. Nandani Sita Kumari. I have a brother. He works as a plant operator.
Q: When and what made you join the Army?
A: Since I was a child, I had a strong desire to join the Sri Lanka Army. However, I joined the Sri Lanka Army on January 12, 2021 and gained my preliminary military training from Maduru Oya Combat Training School. After completing the training I was posted to 4th Special Force Regiment. I honestly fulfilled my biggest dream in my life by joining the Army.
Q: What had happened on that day?
A: On February 15, I was going to Talawakele along with a friend to meet another friend. While passing my school, we heard a loud noise as if something heavy had being thrown into the water. Just then, my friend shouted saying someone had jumped into the reservoir. We immediately ran in that direction. When we reached the place there were some people and a few policemen gathered. So we both moved through the crowd and looked from a distance, then we saw a woman in the reservoir.
Q: So what did you do?
A: I really didn’t think twice. I jumped into the reservoir. Because I saw that woman was struggling between life and death in deep water. I took off my t-shirt, and denim gave it to my friend and jumped straightaway to save her.
Q: Did someone tell you to do so?
H.H. Pasindu with his mother
A: Not really. At that time, my intention was to save her life. I saw how she struggled in the deep water to survive while others in the bank watched her. So, I realised there is not much time left. So I immediately jumped into the water. However, the experience I had from the combat diving course in Nayaruwala had been a great support for my venture. So it was not that hard to accomplish.
Q: Weren’t you afraid?
A: No. My only intention at the time was to save the life of the woman. If I couldn’t save her, what I had learnt was useless.
Q: How deep is the water?*
A: It is about twenty-five feet from the top to the water. The water is about sixty feet deep. So, totally all about eighty feet.
Q: Were you able to hold the woman soon after you jumped?
A: Although, I saw her when from the bank, after jumping into the water, she disappeared. So, I dived into the deep water taking a risk. That attempt also went in vain. However then I came up to the surface to breathe. You know you can’t stay in the water for so long. At that time, I was able to find the woman.
Q: What did you do after you found that woman?
A: As soon as I found her, I put a rope around her leg to take her up through the rope. However, it didn’t work as I thought. So, I made a knot around her body with the rope and sent her up. After safely sending her up, I swam another twenty to twenty-five metres and reached the bank.
Q: How was the response?
A: Well the people thanked me a lot for what I did. But at the time I earnestly wanted to talk to that woman. However, at the time she was taken to the hospital for treatment. After that, the police officers there told me to go to the police to give a statement on the incident.
Q: So, did you go to the Police?
A: Yes. When I was giving my statement to the Police they asked me what I do. I said I am a member of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment. After hearing that they withhold my statement and send me to the Police Inspector saying that I am an Army personnel.
Q: After that?
A: He congratulated me, appreciating my bravery, shaking hands, and asked for the phone number of my Commanding Officer. After I gave my Commanding Officer’s phone number, the Police Inspector called our Commanding Officer and informed about what had happened.
Q: How did the family respond?
A: My mother berated me initially. Because a person who attempted to save someone like this earlier had died at that same spot. So recalling that incident, my mother scolded me a lot continuously. But now she is extremely happy and proud of me. On the other hand, my mother is very happy with the Army Commander’s Commendation Badge which I received from the Army Commander.
Q: What was the badge that the Commander of the Army bestowed on you?
A: Commander of the Army awarded me a Commendation Medal in appreciation of saving the woman’s life from the water after calling me to the Army Headquarters. It was a great pleasure. Because on that day, when I jumped into the reservoir my only intention was to save the life of that woman. So I am very happy to see that my action is being appreciated.
Q: What did the Commander of the Army say?
A: It is a great pleasure for me to meet the Commander of the Army because it is a rare opportunity. However, I was very nervous at that time as it was my first time in my whole life. Smiling at me graciously, he immensely appreciated me for being a great example for society.
Q: How did your camp react?
A: My Commanding Officer commended me in front of everyone in the camp for my bravery which I had exhibited as a Special Forces Regiment soldier.
Q: How do you feel when you recall the incident?*
A: Well, I was able to do this not because of anything but because of the training I gained from the Army. Similarly, if we do something with good faith, nature also blesses us.
Translated by K.V.N. Lakmali Kudaligama
