My acquaintance with Manoaj Jayasuriya started in 1975 when I joined Ananda. On the first day at Ananda after 1.20 p.m., the bell rang, and I didn’t know how to get to a bus to go to Panadura. When I looked around after passing the main gate, I spotted Manoaj as he was there in the same class and I asked him how to get to Panadura, he politely asked me to join him as he was going to Moratuwa, and we both came to Bambalapitiya and got into a Panadura bus. From that day onwards we were friends in the same class. Who would have thought that classmates of Grades 7, would be batchmates at the Kotelawala Defense Academy (KDA) Intake 3 in 1982? 14 of us joined KDA on the 3rd of August 1982 (Please refer to my article “Escapades of Budding Heroes of KDA Intake 3”)
Manoaj graduated from the University of Colombo with an Honors degree in Physical Science. He was also awarded University Rugby Colours for his outstanding sportsmanship.
Majja (as he was popularly known to his friends, batch-mates, and fellow Naval officers) always abhorred injustice and never hesitated to speak up on behalf of others. This may have been why he was deprived of being appointed as the Cadet Under Officer from Intake 3 and why he was not awarded the Sword of Honor which is awarded to the best cadet. However, he won the prize for the Cadet placed first in Order of Merit, the prize for the Military subjects, and the prize for the Best Cadet posted to the Navy during the Passing Out parade on 29th July 1986. The Chief Guest at this occasion was Hon Lalith Athulathmudali PC MP Minister of National Security and Deputy Minister of Defence.
Majja’s ambition was to join the Navy, and he joined with Dimuthu Gunawardane (retired with the rank of Rear Admiral on 20th April 2017), Damian Fernando (retired with the rank of Rear Admiral on 1st of Feb 2017) & Late Lt Comd Preethi Vidanapathirana MIA on November 19, 1997 during a fierce sea battle off the coast of Mullaitivu. (Please refer to my article “Remember me in a silent distant land” which appeared on Oct 17, 2001).
Only very few can leave a legacy behind, however much they are capable or outstanding they may be, but I am very proud to say that
Majja was unorthodox and he was instrumental in the Xenon searchlight method to blind the enemy at night and destroy them unexpectedly. Xenon searchlight uses Xenon gas and gives a very powerful beam of light. Before that, Navy searchlights had poor visibility and were not of much use. In naval war principles, the concentration of firepower is very important, so the more firepower you can bring on and concentrate on your chosen target, the more you will see positive results. Under Majja’s leadership, he believed that you must select one enemy target and attack with all possible focused firepower to quickly destroy the enemy. Xenon light was used to show the crew the selected target. It was forbidden to shoot others. Another advantage of this tactic was that while your crew could see the target and the enemy in that target was blinded. With such tactics Majja ensured that the enemy became a statistic well before he himself became one For this special operation, they needed a disciplined and dedicated crew and trusted leadership to command them because at sea effective range is not more than 25 meters to 300 meters, and nothing beyond unless you had stabilized guns.
Nevertheless, no one could stop him, and he too had never listened to anyone other than a few who believed and understood his thinking.
After this incident and a series of past acts of bravery, the then commander of the Navy Vice Admiral HCAC Tissera ndc wrote to the Secretary of Defence, Mr Chandrananda de Silva and the President Mrs Chandrilka Banaranayake Kumarathunge commending him for his bravery. Majja was the first Sri Lankan Naval officer to be promoted on Field/Sea to the rank of Commander with effect from 11th Feb 1997 purely for bravery. These encounters have certainly boosted the morale of the SLN and were a major setback for the Sea Tigers in their attempt to dominate the seas off their proclaimed Eelam. Majja consistently demonstrated leadership with his strong personality and had confidence and belief in what he did and inspired others around him. He is an honest, intelligent and true gentleman officer who never unduly boasted of what he did and shunned publicity in any media or press. He preferred to be behind the scenes so much that I had a hard task to find a photograph of him in naval insignia, as he never believes in photographs. Many can speak volumes about this extraordinarily fearless officer’s courage and commitment.
For Majja’s elite, gallant and meticulous conduct in battle, he had been decorated with Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) and Rana Soora Padakkama (RSP) fourteen (14) times by the President of Sri Lanka, At present he remains the most decorated officer in the Sri Lanka Navy or any of the forces of the country, for his fearlessness, patriotism, professionalism and consistent bravery.
Majja is one of the most decorated, respected, and gallant officers who will never leave his team betrayed under any circumstance. He was an asset and a dedicated officer, but he made an early exit from the Navy on the 1st of Aug 2003, otherwise, this unique officer would have made all of us proud until his last day in the Navy. Commander (N) Manoaj Jayasuriya’s RWP, RSP, PMP, MBA, B.Sc. (Hons) Dip in Psy (UK) Asymmetric warfare should be researched and documented, for the benefit of Naval officers. His expeditious action according to the situation and maintaining a cool temperament are the key points. I felt, Manoaj should have been recognized for his tremendous selfless services to the nation. He should be recognized and awarded the KDU Alumina Hall of Fame, not because of his academics but for his bravery in the face of the enemy.
Majja is married to his long-standing sweetheart Mayuri Arunthavanadan, She was a highly studious student, who obtained 8 Distinction for her OLs from Majja’s mother, Mrs Chandra Perera’s class at Visakha Vidyalaya. She still remembers all members of Intrake 3 birthdays and anniversaries, not missing any to wish us. In 1992 they were blessed with a son Manjitha.
After leaving the Navy, he joined Access Engineering and presently Manoj is the General Manager of Access Engineering PLC, Director of Access Motors and Executive Director of Sathosa Motors PLC.
Immensely proud of you as my classmate and batchmate, thank you Majja for your committed selfless services, you have left a legacy in the Naval fraternity.
Nilakshan Perera