by Admiral Ravindra
C Wijegunaratne(Retired from Sri Lanka Navy)
Former Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Sri Lanka NavyThe Former Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Pakistan
(The 60th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Navy Diving and Salvage Unit falls on 11th January 2025. The writer commanded it in 1987.) 

A distinguished old boy of Trinity College, Kandy, who excelled both in studies and sports, young Shanthi Bahar joined the Sri Lanka Navy to 3rd Intake of Cadets in 1974. Then, he was 19 years old. He became a UK qualified Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) underwater expert and Mine Clearance Diver (MCD) besides being a crack marksman, both rifle and pistol and winner of the first President’s Cup in Practical Pistol firing meet in 1984. The late President J. R Jayewardene, whose son, Ravi who introduced Practical Pistol Firing Sport to Sri Lanka, was so impressed with Shanthi’s ability and presented him with a .45 Colt Gold Cup Pistol as a gift. It is now on display at our Olympic standard Navy firing range at Welisara. In addition, he was a Navy Coloursman in Sailing and Rowing, who took part in International Sailing Regattas. His knowledge on jungle warfare and small arms was considered exceptional. He was an avid reader. There was no Internet and he used to order Jungle Warfare and gun manuals and magazines through his mother in Hawaii, USA.

 All junior officers, especially trainees like me at the time were afraid of him. However, after I worked under him onboard the Light House Relief Vessel Pradeepa, and after taking part in Basses Lighthouse relief work, he had a lot of faith in me. When we anchored our ship at Uda Potthana bay, we would take a Gemini craft and go to the Yala National Park (Yala block 2). I used to follow him in this jungle terrain. I became his follower at a very junior level. He had noticed my love for the fishing rod and guns, and started teaching me about guns and jungle warfare. I am yet to see a marksman holding a six- battery torch with one hand,.22 caliber rifle with the other, aim and fire at night. Such was Lt. Bahar’s marksmanship! To develop such skills, you require very strong upper body strength and agility. Anyway, he was a Mine Clearance Diver, trained in the UK with huge lung capacity and very strong arms. His breathing was controlled to near perfection when he fired the weapon. This hand-eye coordination of Lt Bahar came with hard work and training. He would never miss his target. When in action against an enemy in close quarters he believed more in accuracy of his repeater shotgun on his right hand than the US manufactured 5.56mm M-16 Carbine slung on his shoulder. With MCD and EOD knowledge, he made his own IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices).

 I am extremely grateful to him for what he taught me because these skills and knowledge stood me in good stead while I was training the Special Boat Squadron (SBS – Naval Commando Unit) in November 1993.

 Lt Commander Shanthi Bahar died during a small group operation in Ichchantivu, Muttur on 15 Jan. 1986. He led a 10-man team to target EROS local terrorist leadership and terrorist safe house in Muttur/Ichchantivu sector. All 10 in his team were junior sailors trained by him personally for months. The Divers of SLN helped him to travel from the Naval Base Trincomalee to Muttur in their Diving Unit Dinghy boat and silently landed them near the target area at night. They eliminated eight terrorists (including their leader), but Lt Commander Bahar and his Muslim informant died in an enemy grenade attack. We lost a great naval officer.

 The most senior man among those brave 10 junior sailors, Naval Patrolman (then) KG Samaratunga took over command following the demise of Lt Commander Bahar, regrouped the men and returned to R/V point of Diving Unit boat, carrying the body of Lt Commander Bahar. Later, Samaratunga said with tears welling up in his eyes, “Sir, I did exactly what Bahar Sir had asked me to. He said that if he died, I had to take over the Command and take the boys back to safety.” Samaratunga rose up to Master Chief Petty Officer later and was my Master-at-Arms while I was commanding the SBS in 1993. He gained his commission in 1999 and retired as a Lieutenant. He is now engaged in organic farming in Pannala. Great sailors! Unsung heroes!

 Lt Commander Bahar was promoted to rank of Commander posthumously and awarded the Rana Wickrama Medal for individual bravery in the face of enemy action.

 I salute my guru!