Nickname(s) ‘Nero’ Years of service 1991–2009 Other name ‘Nero’ Service/branch Sri Lanka Army | Allegiance Sri Lanka Died 28 April 2009 Rank Corporal | |
Battles/wars Sri Lankan Civil War, Operation Riviresa, Eelam War IV Awards Poorna Bhumi, Uthuru Negenhira Sangramicka, 50 years independence medal, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal,, Riviresa Campaign Services Medal, Desha Putra Sammanaya Unit Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Battles and wars Sri Lankan Civil War, Operation Riviresa, Eelam War IV | ||
Cpl. I. Ranjith Premasiri alias ‘Nero’, was a decorated Sri Lanka Army sniper with 180 confirmed LTTE kills during the Eelam War.
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He was killed on 28 April 2009 just 20 days before the end of the conflict.
Military career
He joined the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force in 1991 at the age of 22 at the height of the Sri Lankan Civil War. After his training at the Diyathalawa Army base he was attached to the 5th Battalion of the Gajaba Regiment.
After completing the Sri Lanka Army 8th sniper course he joined the Army snipers in 2000.
He was injured several times during his service but insisted on serving in active duty.
On 28 April 2009 as Corporal Premasiri was trying to pick out LTTE terrorists hiding among Tamil refugees fleeing to government controlled areas in Puthumathalan, he was killed by a LTTE sniper. The Sri Lankan Civil war ended on 18 May 2009 just 20 days after his death. By the time of his death Corporal Premasiri had served 18 years in the Sri Lanka Army and 9 years of it as a sniper with 180 confirmed kills.