Sri Lanka, Aug. 2 -- Ramani Lalithangani Bandara Kangararachchi, one of the pioneering young women to join the Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps in November 1979 passed away yesterday after a brief illness. She was 66.

An old girl of Kegalle Balika Vidyalaya, her talents in netball led to her selection to the second intake of the first batch of six young women officers to be trained in the United Kingdom (UK).

Upon her return, Ramani held several senior roles in the Army including that of the Adjutant, Training Officer of new women recruits and Logistics Officer. Promoted Major, she served as a Staff officer of Legal Affairs and held the post of Second in Command of the First Women's Corps Regiment prior to leaving the Army.

Her brother Sen...