A. F. Lafir
Colonel Aslam Fazly Laphir, PWV, RWP, RSP, SF (last name also spelled Laffeer; died July 19, 1996) was a Sri Lankan Army officer and posthumous recipient of the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV). He was awarded the PWV after being killed in action during the Battle of Mullaitivu for his actions as commanding officer of the 1st Special Forces Regiment during the Sri Lankan civil war. Colonel Laphir played a major role in the formation and development of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment from the original Combat Tracker Team.
Aslam Fazly Laphir † PWV, RWP, RSP | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Died | 19 July 1996 Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka |
| Allegiance |  Sri Lanka |
| Service/ |  Sri Lanka Army |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Unit | Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment |
| Commands held | 1st Special Forces Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Sri Lankan civil war |
| Awards | |
Early life
Laphir was born in Kandy to a Muslim family[1] and attended St. Anthony's College, Kandy.
Early military career
He joined the army as a cadet officer soon completed schooling. He received officer training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyatalawa and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Rajarata Rifles, an Infantry Regiment. Following its amalgamation with the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment to create the Gajaba Regiment, he was transferred to the 1st Gajaba Regiment.
Laphir served in many parts of the country including the North and Eastern provinces as result of the escalating Sri Lankan Civil War and also in the southern parts of the country due to the Insurrection 1987-89 in the south. Due to his knowledge of the Tamil language led him to being appointed to carry out intelligence duties in the East.
Special forces regiment
Originally starting out as Combat Tracker Team the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment was established in 1986, Laphir as Lieutenant was one of the founding members and played a key role in developing it into a formidable Special Forces unit, which specialized in rapid deployment operations, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism warfare, reconnaissance and battle space preparation in the medium and deep battle-space and jungle warfare.
Battle of Mullaitivu
On 18 July 1996 the Sri Lanka Army base at Mullaitivu came under heavy attack by LTTE, following this a rescue operation code named Operation Thrivida Pahara was launched to relieve the besieged base by landing troops by both air and sea. The initial landings were carried out on the 19th by an all volunteer force of 275 elite commandos from the 1st special forces regiment led by their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Lafir, who were heli-dropped under heavy fire and made radio contact with the besieged troops. Personally leading the attack under heavy fire Lafir was wounded by severe gunshot injuries, yet continued to lead his men until he was killed by shrapnel from a nearby explosion. His men recovered his body and transported it back in a SLAF helicopter that had landed the second batch of commandos. For his courageous action on that day he was awarded the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya, the highest award for valour in Sri Lanka and promoted to the rank of Colonel posthumously.
Family
He was married to Anoma Wickramasuriya, granddaughter of D. M. Rajapaksa. Her brothers are Lieutenant Colonel Prasanna Wickramasuriya and Jaliya Wickramasuriya. She is a first cousin of Mahinda Rajapaksa who served as President of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015.
See also
- Awards and decorations of the military of Sri Lanka
References
- Muslims’ contribution to the unity of Sri Lanka Daily Mirror - June 26, 2012