How Navy Commander Sameera, who went to India for 'BIMSTEC 2026', returned quietly

During the 'BIMSTEC 2026' security military exercise held near India's Andaman Islands, the Sri Lanka Navy experienced an unexpected sudden tragedy. Naval sources confirm that Commander Sameera Madushanka Samarakoon, who was participating in the exercise, suddenly fell ill and unfortunately passed away while receiving treatment at a hospital in Sri Vijayapuram, Nicobar, India.

This tragedy did not end solely with the Commander's demise. Three other Sri Lankan naval officers who participated in the exercise have also fallen ill. The body of the deceased Commander Sameera and the three ailing officers were brought to Katunayake Airport on the 3rd by a special C-130 aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force. Steps were taken to immediately admit the three ailing officers to the IDH Hospital in Colombo for further treatment.

Commander Sameera, who faced this unfortunate fate, joined the naval service as a cadet in March 2006. A resident of Kalagedihena, Thiriwanagama, he served as the engineer on the Sri Lanka Navy ship Gajabahu, which sailed to India. The Gajabahu ship had departed for India on the 24th of last month for this BIMSTEC 2026 security military exercise.

Following the Commander's demise in Nicobar, Sri Lankan naval officers, including the Commanding Officer of the Gajabahu ship, Captain Ashoka Weerasekara, as well as Indian naval officers, jointly paid full respects to the body. Steps were then taken to bring the body back to the country by a special aircraft.

The exact cause of death has not yet been revealed. The post-mortem examination of the deceased Commander was conducted yesterday (4th) at Negombo Hospital. The police state that the forensic medical officer who conducted the examination postponed stating the cause of death. Parts of the body have been sent to experts at the Government Analyst's Department, and the forensic medical officer has informed the police that the cause of death will be definitively stated after receiving that report.

Negombo Hospital sources further revealed that Mr. Sameera's body has currently been sealed and handed over to the relatives for final rites.