Ramani, the woman soldier who picked up the pen

RAMANI Lalithangani Bandara, one of the pioneering young women to join the Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps in November 1979 passed away last week. She was 66.

- Panduka Senanayake

An old girl of Kegalle Balika Vidyalaya, her prowess as an athlete, especially netball, led to her selection to the second intake of the first batch of six young women officers to be trained in the United Kingdom.

Upon her return, Ramani held several senior roles in the fledgling organisation including that of the Adjutant, Training Officer of new women recruits and logistics officer. Promoted Major, she served as a Staff Officer of Legal Affairs and held the post of the 2nd in Command of the 1st Women's Corps Regiment prior to leaving the army.

Her brother Senani Bandara who also joined the army was captured and killed during the Eelam conflict.