Love has the remarkable ability to blossom at various venues. The salubrious hills of Kandy are laced with romance. A young sportsman from the great Anglican school, Trinity College, had set out to play a game of badminton. During the process of the game he had unknowingly impressed a young girl from Girls’ High School, Kandy, who was also an ardent fan and player of badminton, herself. Subsequently, the two young souls fell in love. The young man asked the girl’s father for her hand in marriage. His request was granted on one condition, that he give up his motorbike as he was known to be a daring rider.
Both were united in holy matrimony.
The spirit of yuletide still reigned in Colombo when I met up with Travis and Thiruni Sinniah. Their adorable puppy was quite intrigued by my presence and came near me, eyes radiating with love. Rear Admiral Sinniah speaks with deep sentiment as he remembers his father, the late Commander Tyrell Sinniah. Many would remember him as an award winning marksman who captained the Navy shooting team and won the Jolly Roger Trophy. Tyrell Sinniah was one of the first dental surgeons to pass out from the University of Peradeniya in 1964. He joined the Royal Ceylon Navy as a Direct Entry Officer and was stationed in the garrison town of Trincomalee. It was during this shore command that he was blessed with his son Travis.
Most folks living in Trincomalee naturally fall in love with the resplendent ocean. Such was the case for young Travis. As a child of two and a half years he was strolling around the jetty and some fishermen had thought he was lost. Not knowing that his father was stationed at the Base, they took the child out to sea for a ride! So, Rear Admiral Travis had his first maritime encounter at this tender age! He was a child who curiously ran around the massive Naval Dockyard at Trinco which is engulfed in naval customs and heritage, dating back to 1795. It was here that British Admiral Samuel Hood set up a watchtower to guard the harbour approach.
I asked the Admiral if his father influenced him to join the Navy. I was surprised to find that Dr. Sinniah had wanted his son to qualify as a doctor and enrolled Travis into a private medical college. Unknown to his dad Travis had applied to the Navy and Air Force, and was called for interviews from both establishments. Being closely connected to the ocean, he opted for a naval career, partly encouraged by diving specialist Cmdr.Bahar and joined the 11th Intake. He successfully completed his training in Sri Lanka and at the Royal Britannia Naval College, Dartmouth.
During his illustrious service to the motherland Rear Admiral Sinniah played a pivotal role in engaging the LTTE at sea, reducing their combat capability. He can take pride in the direct hunt, interception and destruction of seven floating armouries. In 1987, Lieutenant Sinniah was on patrol and noticed a craft around 2am. Approaching with caution he could make out a grey boat, lit up by naval search light... The vessel did not heed the order to stop. Sensing danger the Dvora initiated pursuit. The enemy was within a mile of reaching the IMBL (border). When close enough, Lieutenant Travis jumped onto the moving boat armed with his shotgun. With the aid of Leading Rate Premathilkeke, they subdued the crew of 18, which included some top rebel leaders. The boat Kadal Pura with its crew and arms was escorted back to KKS. Prior to being promoted as Rear Admiral in July 2012, Travis Sinniah had the distinction of holding four key commands simultaneously. In 2008, he was Commandant of the Naval Academy, Deputy Area Commander-East, Flag Officer Commanding the Fleet and Port Facility Security Officer.
By now, the gentle puppy has navigated her way around the furniture and sits at the feet of Thiruni Sinniah.
Sailing in the deep sea has its funny moments. Travis recalls one particular voyage when they were bringing the SLNS Sagara from Visakhapatnam, India. A large marine bird had followed the vessel before taking up permanent residence on board the deck, enjoying the fish that was bestowed on her by kind sailors. Later on, the sailors found to their slight dismay, the defecating habits of the bird and had to mop up after her! Admiral Sinniah recalls another incident when he was fishing at Trincomalee.
When the baited line was cast, and about to hit the water a majestic white bellied eagle had zeroed in on the bait and bit into it. So he ended up having a frenzied and furious eagle at the end of his line!! Thankfully, with the aid of another officer he was able to release the eagle to its more familiar domain, the sky!
Travis and Thiruni Sinniah are blessed with a prudent daughter, and a son keen on fitness like his father.