SLNS Ranaviru

SLNS Ranaviru  (Ranaviru, in Sinhalese: Warrior) was a Type 062I-class (NATO: Shanghai III class) fast gun boat of the Sri Lanka Navy, attached to the 3rd Fast Gun Boats Squadron from 1991 when she was commissioned to 1996 when she was sunk by two Sea Tiger suicide crafts off the coast of Mullaitivu.

On 19 July 1996, SLNS Ranaviru under the command of Lieutenant Commander Parakrama Samaraweera, RSP, was dispatched to the seas off the coast of Mullaitivu where the Sri Lanka Army base was under siege during the first battle of Mullaitivu. She led the naval force that included Ranaviru, six Dvora Fast Attack Crafts and the landing ship SLNS Shakthi, tasked with attempting an amphibious landing of a relief force to break the siege. Ranaviru was tasked with providing naval gun fire to cover the landing. Due to stiff resistance by coastal and sea units of the LTTE, the landing attempt was abandoned and landing ships began to withdraw. Ranaviru began covering the withdrawal when it was hit by a Sea Tiger suicide craft which inflicted serious damage and disabled its propulsion. Lieutenant Commander Samaraweera and the crew continued firing her guns and small arms until the disabled ship was hit by a second suicide craft resulting in a massive explosion that sank her. Of the crew of 36 only two survived to be rescued by navy craft. Seven bodies were recovered amidst the sea battle. Commander Samaraweera, who was last seen on the bridge firing a rifle, was listed missing; his body was never recovered and presumed that he went down with his ship. He was posthumously awarded the Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya for his gallantry and promoted to the rank of Commander.