The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRC) has spent Rs.450 million to reconstruct the 174 meter high multi-purpose transmission tower which provides the Northern people better access to radio, TV, mobile telephone based communication and Internet facilities after 30 years. Foundation stone to reconstruct the tower was laid in March 2009. The project was jointly launched by the TRC and the Ministry of Mass Media and Information under the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and full supervision of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

The funds for the project were collectively provided by the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Network (ITN). The Sri Lankan Army gave tremendous support to make the project a success.

Director General of TRC Anusha Pelpita said new Kokavila tower will be used to introduce digital radio and television transmission using the Digital Video Broadcasting’s DVB-T2 digital terrestrial broadcasting standards which will help to provide high quality and clear television, radio and telecommunication coverage for the entire Northern Province without transmission interruptions after several decades. He further said the tower is to be utilized for TV, radio and telecommunication transmissions as well as military communication operations.

The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the Independent Television Network commenced test transmissions in last April. However TRC expects to provide space for several private media and telecommunication channels, especially Tamil channel transmission space through this tower.

Secretary of the Mass Media and Information Ministry W. B Ganegala who constantly supervised the project said the communication between north and south will be restarted with the reconstruction of the tower.

The Kokavila Communication Tower holds an important landmark in the history of war against the brutal terrorism. It was under Kokavila Army camp control and the camp was under constant terrorist attacks. After overrunning Elephant Pass and Kilinochchi, Army camp at Kokavila was isolated.

Captain Saliya Aladeniya of the Singha Regiment was the commanding officer at the Army camp with 69 soldiers and other ranking officers. When the camp was surrounded by advancing Tamil Tiger terrorists and came under a barrage of attack, Captain Aladeniya and his men had to defend it for three days.

There were heavy casualties on the Army as the LTTE was much superior in number of cadres. Repeated messages for re-enforcement, medicine, food and water were not successful as the terrain was precarious. Due to treacherous weather conditions air support also was not possible. On 11 July terrorists destroyed the tower. The TV and radio transmissions were interrupted for the entire Northern region once the tower was destroyed.

The bravest of brave men under the leadership of Captain Aladeniya held the camp for three days despite heavy casualties. On July 13 when the Tamil Tigers were approaching, Captain Aladeniya sent his last message to the Air Force to destroy the camp to prevent them from falling into the Tamil Tigers which the Air Force obliged with a heavy heart. Captain Aladeniya and his brave men were honoured posthumously later and Captain Aladeniya was conferred with the highest military accolade Veera Vickrama Vibhushana Seva. Kokavila was re-taken on 01 December 2007 during the final Eelam War after 18 years by an Army battalion led by Lt. Udyanga and Lt. Ratnayaka.

President Rajapaksa also unveiled a special war memorial to pay tribute for the fallen heroes at Kokavila. The president also placed a floral tribute to commemorate captain Saliya Aladeniya and other war heroes who sacrificed their lives to safeguard the tower.

Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella , Ranjith Siyamabalpitiya , Douglas Devananda, many parliamentarians, Governor of the Northern Province, Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, Governor of the North Central Province, Karunarathna Divulgane, Director General of Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, Anusha Pelpita, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to the Media Ministry W.B. Ganegala, Chief of Defense Staff Air Wing Marshal Roshan Gunathilaka, Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasooriya, Acting I.G.P. N.K. Ilangakoon, Provincial politicians of the Northern Province and a large number of people of the Northern Province were present at the ceremony.

Pix by: Chandana Perera