Parama Veera Vibushana Colonel Fazly Lafir
Much loved by both senior and junior officers as well as other ranks, Colonel A.F. Lafir was one of the few officers who understood the Sri Lanka’s national crisis in depth. He was one of the few officers who knew Jaffna like the palm of his hand. A pioneer member of the Army’s 1st Special Forces (SF) Regiment, Fazly was involved in all aspects of forming the new regiment, including the design of its cap, badge and other insignia. Colonel Fazly Lafir gave his life on July 19, 1996 in an attempt to save 1500 comrades when the LTTE terrorists laid siege to the Sri Lanka Army Camp at Mullaitivu.
Born in the Kandyan hills, Fazly Lafir was educated at St. Anthony’s College, Kandy. A lover of cricket, he represented the school before moving on to follow another love, the military. An all rounder, he came second in the batch `intake 14,’ winning the current affairs prize in the process. He was well read and had a good fist for writing. He joined the Rajarata Rifles Infantry Regiment and following its amalgamation with the Vijayaba Infantry Regiment, joined the 1st Gajaba Regiment (GR) founded by the late Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne. Fazly’s skills led to his selection as the first Platoon Commander of 1GR.
He underwent training in India and the USA and always emphasized the importance of training.
Much loved by both senior and junior officers as well as other ranks, Colonel A.F. Lafir was one of the few officers who understood the Sri Lanka’s national crisis in depth. His knowledge of Tamil led him to being appointed to carry out intelligence duties in the East. His gentle and easygoing manner earned him any friends among the people. He was one of the few officers who knew Jaffna like the palm of his hand. A pioneer member of the Army’s 1st Special Forces (SF) Regiment, Fazly was involved in all aspects of forming the new regiment, including the design of its cap badge and other insignia.
Whether operating in and out of the uniform, he had a good rapport with the public. He ensured that subordinates were kind to civilians. This led to important breakthroughs against the Tiger terrorists.
During the 1988-89 Southern insurgency, Fazly and his men were deployed there to help restore law and order. As he did with Tamil civilians, he won the hearts and minds of the Sinhala people in the South. This naturally led to positive results. He was held in high esteem by the likes of Generals Wimalaratne, Kobbekaduwa and Janaka Perera. His thoughts were always with his men whether in the field or out.
Colonel Fazly Lafir gave his life on July 19, 1996 in an attempt to save 1500 comrades when the LTTE terrorists laid siege to the Sri Lanka Army Camp at Mullaitivu.
Volunteering to lead the rescue mission, Fazly was airborne with his troops even before the operation was finalized. He was heli-dropped under heavy fire and made radio contact with the besieged troops. It was a morale boosting moment. As mortar fire rained on their positions that night, Fazly’s made a sardonic comment, ``Tonight is the most beautiful night of my life.’’
On the morning of July 19, a piece of shrapnel fatally wounded this gallant soldier. He was posthumously awarded the Parama Veera Vibushanaya, the highest medal awarded for gallantry.
All his associates remember Col. Lafir as a strong, silent and caring man but above all as the epitome of an officer and a gentleman.
Afzal Laphir
said:
 |
... The world knows him as Colonel Fazly Laphir, but to me he was always affectionately know as "Naana"(brother). Besides being a brilliant officer, he was also a very good family person. Being the eldest in our family of eight, he always showed a great deal of concern in the welfare of his parents and siblings even when he was fighting the enemy in the jungles of N&E. I remember his 1 minute phone call to wish me on my birthday just hours before he embarked on the fateful mission to Mullaitivu. He was my hero and mentor, and it was no surprise that I followed his foot steps and became an Antonian through and through. Although 13 years has passed since he was taken away from us at the age of only 37, he continues to inspire me through his achievements. May the Almighty Allah's blessings shower upon him eternally. AFZAL |
Roshan Jayawickrama
said:
 |
... Brilliant sentiments there Afzal. I just stumbled upon this video on youtube about Col. Lafir. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7saGnZg7NYY |
Thilak Silva
said:
 |
... Hi Afzal, I have read your comments about your brother and we still remember how you used to talk about his heroic acts far back in 1993. Thilak Silva (MKA) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
feroni
said:
 |
... Hi Afzal, Just went thru the Antonian site and read about u r comments. Feroni Usoof This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
Riaz Usoof
said:
 |
... Hi Afzal, Very nice and touching sentiments expressed by you, having known you since school days, it was as expected.... I recall the days in SACK when we knew Fazly as "Afzal's Nana" and his quite and unassuming manner.. I can also recall meeting him sometimes when he used to come over to your cousin Anasrally's place sometimes after school, which happened to be very close to my house.. St Anthony's in particular and Kandy in general should be very proud to have produced such an extraordinary hero in Fazly. May he rest in peace and the Almighty God provide his loved ones the strength to bear the loss. Your Friend and college mate... Riaz Usoof |
Niroshan Kiriwella
said:
 |
... Hi everyone, we missed heroes in the caliber of Col.Lafir during our final assult against the LTTE...But heroic acts done by men as Col. Lafir urged us 2 move forward to defeat the enemy with morale...The name Col. Lafir has inspired many men to make the ultimate sacrifice for the motherland...May his name live forever....Niroshan Kiriwella |
Anura
said:
 |
... Hi Afzal, He is a real hero of our country in this era. One of the greatest hero our alma mater have produced. As you said may the Almighty Allah's blessings shower upon him eternally. Anura Rajapakse |
Champika Wijekoon
said:
 |
... Mr Administrator Please make necessary arrengements to ammend the name of the Gallantry award as "Parama Weera Vibhushanaya". That is the highst Gallantry award that a Sri Lankan can ever achive. He was a wounderful officer in the officer corps of the Sri Lanka Army.He was simply an Officer and a Gentleman... |
