Late Major General D.R.A.B Jayatilake, Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) amidst a sea of his workmates, associates, officers and all rankers bade adieu to Sri Lanka Army and Mother Lanka Monday (20) evening at Kandy Mahaiyawa General cemetery with full military honours.
Major General D.R.A.B Jayatilake passed away on Saturday (18) at the age of 54 years after an unblemished service record spanning over 34 years. He leaves behind his wife Mrs Rani Jayatilake who had been his tower of strength and who work as the Secretary, Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB).
Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development, prior to the funeral on Monday (20), paid his last respect visiting his house at Kandy. So did the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya who was associated with the entire funeral arrangements until Monday (20) evening.
Major General D.R.A.B Jayatilake, in the true sense of the words was "an officer cum gentleman" who was wholeheartedly committed and dedicated to the cause; to serve the country as a true patriot of Sri Lanka with outright honesty and friendliness.
Mostly loved and respected by his own Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) all rankers, his contribution to the promotion of the SLSR interests and its image was notable in his capacity as Colonel of the Regiment (SLSR).
He was an officer with pleasing disposition who would rarely lose his temper. SLSR all rankers gratefully remember his numerous projects that were put into practice at the SLSR Regimental Headquarters for the welfare of SLSR men and War Hero family members whom he admired most.
His untimely death certainly leaves behind an irreparable loss at a time the Sri Lanka Army, together with thousands of Volunteer Force personnel is enthusiastically engaged in rebuilding the motherland. He was instrumental in many Army projects of different nature including the relocation of the Sri Lanka Army new Headquarters at Akuregoda, Battaramulla, etc.
His charming and exceptionally humble qualities found expression through his serene smile, although he used to command thousands of Volunteer Force officers and other ranks, deployed in every corner of the island.
Monday’s gathering of mourners including Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army testified to the degree of sympathy and shock that his death generated in the Army.
The funeral parade, gun salute and citations honoured the memory of this Senior Officer par excellence. As dusk fell, Major General Jayatilaka’s coffin was placed in the pyre, affirming once again that "everything is transient."
May Major General Jayatilake Attain Supreme Bliss of Nirwana!
