Three Sri Lankan individuals, who were serving in the Ukrainian military, have lost their lives in a Russian attack, as reported on Tuesday (5). The devastating incident was confirmed by both Ukrainian and Russian sources.
This morning, a Telegram channel operated by Russian military personnel disclosed that Sri Lankan mercenary Andrew Ranish Hewage, known by the call sign ‘Dentist,’ was killed in a Russian attack. The channel further revealed that two additional Sri Lankan mercenaries fighting for the Ukrainian regime lost their lives alongside Ranish Hewage.
According to the Telegram channel, the three Sri Lankan mercenaries were killed during a Russian attack while attempting to evacuate dead and wounded Ukrainian soldiers. A comment on a YouTube video, purportedly from an account named Lahiru Kavinda, claimed that Andrew Ranish Hewage was killed in Bakhmut, a city in Ukraine. The translated comment expressed deep admiration for Ranish Hewage’s bravery and sacrifice.
An inquiry by the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry unveiled that Andrew Ranish Hewage, known as Captain Dentist in Ukraine, was formerly a member of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry in the Sri Lanka Army. He officially left the Sri Lanka Army on September 30, 2012, holding the rank of lieutenant and concluding his entire military service.
Subsequently, Hewage moved to the UAE for employment and, in 2022, made the decision to join the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine, actively participating in the conflict. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 27, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for international volunteers, leading to the establishment of the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine.
International media reports indicate that Captain Andrew Ranish Hewage served as a commanding officer on the front lines of the Ukraine-Russia war. Furthermore, it is reported that he received a promotion from the Ukrainian President in recognition of his bravery on the battlefield.
Unfortunately, details about the two other Sri Lankans who lost their lives alongside Andrew Ranish Hewage in the Russian attack were not available at the time of reporting. This tragic incident underscores the global impact of the conflict and the sacrifice made by individuals from various nations involved in the conflict.
