Her wedding ceremony with Lance Corporal D.G Mahinda Premalal of 10 Gajaba Regiment, now a disable War Hero, resident at Ragama Ranaviru Sevana, took place at Gampaha Senethma Reception Hall on a grand scale, following arrangements, made by ‘Siyanewe Api’ businessmen’s forum at Gampaha and the Ragama Ranaviru Sevana authorities of the Army.
The bridegroom, Lance Corporal Mahinda Premalal (25), sustained serious injuries below his waist in an LTTE mortar bomb in Kilinochchi on 4 October 2008 and became paralyzed as the war for peace was reaching decisive stages.
His fiancée, Harshani unaware of his boy friend’s whereabouts after the mortar blast, remained in tears but continued to refresh her romantic memories with him after she fell in love with him years before he joined the Army in 2007.
Her efforts were not in vain and she unexpectedly got to know that his fiancé, Premalal has survived the LTTE attack and is now undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at Ragama Ranaviru Sevana, commanded by Brigadier Hemantha Kulathunge.
As the saying goes, ‘love conquers all’ (omnia vincit amor), Ms Harshani after necessary blessings from her mother and adults assured his fiancé’s parents that she would take care of their son for the rest of his life after getting married to him.
Determined to face any challenges in the journey of life, his fiancée, Harshani in coordination with the Ranaviru Sevana got all wedding arrangements with the wheelchair-ridden Lance Corporal Premalal, organized with generous support extended by the Gampaha ‘Siyanewe Api’ organization. This was the 3rd such wedding ceremony sponsored by those businessmen in the ‘Siyanewe Api’.
Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, representing the bride’s interests and Major General Prasad Samarasinghe, Chief of Staff on behalf of the bridegroom witnessed the marriage before the registrar at the wedding hall.
Mrs Damayanthi Ratnayake, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit who has also given the maximum support to the event, was present in the ceremony as a distinguished invitee.
Amid blessings of relatives and friends, the couple followed all marriage rites and rituals on Wednesday (15) at Gampaha and left for their honeymoon afterwards.
(SL Army/ST)
