“It is in a way very pertinent in today’s context, too what really reflected in the Bandung Conference - 1955, attended by 29 Heads of States, representing nearly one-fourth of the earth’s land. Those conference organizers, attended by late General Sir John Kotelawala, focused on a wide gamut of issues, including the ‘reluctance of the western powers to consult with Asian countries on decisions affecting Asia in a setting of cold war tensions,’ prevailing at that time. This has been still the case and continues undeterred as far as developing nations are concerned,” so remarked Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, delivering a memorial speech during the 33rd Death Anniversary commemorative ceremony of the late General Sir John Kotelawala at the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) at Ratmalana Wednesday (2) evening.
The event’s Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Ratnayake upon welcomed by Major General Milinda Peiris, KDU Vice Chancellor and President of the Memorial Society on arrival laid floral wreaths at Sir John Kotelawala statue, together with several other invitees before commencement of the remainder of the day’s programme.
All attendees afterwards observed a two-minute silence in memory of General Sir John Kotelawala and paid respect before KDU Vice Chancellor, Major General Milinda Peiris later on delivered his note of welcome.
Continuing his memorial address to the occasion, Lieutenant General Ratnayake further, added that late General Sir John Kotelawala was very vocal in his criticism of the western behaviour towards countries that gained new independence from colonial masters, for which upon return home after Bandung Conference, he had to pay a heavy price and earned the wrath of political leaders in post-independent Sri Lanka. Yet, he was unmoved because he never traded his policy of honesty for political gains, the Commander said.
More importantly, he was one of the few national leaders who has had left a legacy among members of the armed forces with his invaluable gift, the famous Kandawala Walawwa estate to the Defence Services before his death which no one else, has even thought. Such was his greatness. His invaluable gift, now the most reputed General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, as you all know, is the country’s full-pledged Defence University which offers undergraduate and post-graduate study courses to officers of Defence Services in Sri Lanka and overseas in various disciplines of academic interest, he said.
The day’s memorial event drew to a close as the Buglers sounded the ‘The Last Post’ reciting the Ode and the ‘Reveille’, followed by the national anthem in conformity with military traditions.
General (Retd) Rohan Daluwatte, former Commander of the Army, Senior Army, Navy and Air Force Officers, Members of KDU academic staff, undergraduates, ex-servicemen and a gathering of invitees attended the event.
Here are a few excerpts of the Commander’s brief speech:
“Inviting me to make a brief memorial speech on the 33rd death anniversary of General, the Right Honourable Sir John Lionel Kotelawala CH, KBE, LLD, one of the great military and political icons of our times indeed, is a rare honour, bestowed upon me.
I thank the Vice Chancellor, Major General Milinda Peiris and the Board of Management for inviting me to deliver the memorial speech as the Chief Guest on a great man of our soil, one of the colourful Prime Ministers of our times.
Likewise, I feel twice proud of myself to be here as a Light Infantry man and talking about a proud son of my own Regiment; Light Infantry.
Late Sir John Kotelawala was a personage of exceptional abilities, both as a military officer and a politician. Being a political legend in his own lifetime, he took on the mantle of supreme power as the Prime Minister of then Ceylon in the year 1953 soon after the Hartal. He was born into a wealthy family and his father, the senior John Kotelawala was an Inspector in the Ceylon Police Department and his mother was Mrs Alice Kotelawala.
Having received his education at Royal College, Colombo, he proceeded to England during the times of World War I and attended Christ’s College, Cambridge University to study agriculture. He was an excellent sportsman in Cricket, Tennis, Golf, Polo, Boxing and he loved horses and took great pleasure in morning rides.
This great political mentor, some of us might have perhaps forgotten by now, was the driving force that led Sri Lanka into the United Nations after getting its membership and contributed to Sri Lanka’s expansion of sound foreign relations, particularly with our Asian neighbours at a time China - Tibet relations, were under intense debate.
The Prime Minister, Sir John Kotelawala had the rare distinction of leading the country’s delegation to the famous Bandung Conference in Indonesia in the year 1955.
This exemplary gentleman of courage entered politics at 35 years of age and joined mainstream politics by being elected to the Legislative Council as the member of Kurunegala and afterwards as a State Councilor before he was appointed Minister of Communication and Works and later on as the Minister of Agriculture. His interests were of varied nature.
It is in a way very pertinent in today’s context too what really reflected in the Bandung Conference, attended by 29 Heads of States, representing nearly one-fourth of the Earth’s land. Those conference organizers, attended by late General Sir John Kotelawala, focused on a wide gamut of issues, including the (I quote) ‘reluctance by the western powers to consult with Asian countries on decisions affecting Asia in a setting of cold war tensions’ (unquote) prevailing at that time. This has been still the case and continues undeterred as far as developing nations are concerned.
Late General Sir John Kotelawala was very vocal in his criticism of the western behaviour towards countries that gained new independence from colonial masters, for which upon return home from Bandung, he had to pay a heavy price and earned the wrath of political leaders in post-independent Sri Lanka. Yet, he was unmoved because he never traded his policy of honesty for political gains.
Today, we are gathered here to pay our reverence to the memory of this great ‘Sir John’ as he was popularly known, and a soldier cum statesman who despite his busy schedules, made a string of outstanding contributions to the expansion of public projects such as the Colombo Port, introduction of hydro-electricity to the country, completion of Luxapana and Norton Bridge schemes, construction of the Peradeniya University complex and the Ratmalana Airport, introduction of aviation and the development of road networks around the Kelani Bridge, etc.
His entry into the Army and commissioning in the then Ceylon Light Infantry on 15th September 1922 infused him with necessary impetus to his future public life. He served several commanding and other key appointments until his retirement, including the second in command and Commanding officer of the Ceylon Light Infantry.
However, he became a member of the Ceylon’s War Cabinet and was made a Colonel in 1942, the highest rank that a Ceylonese could have achieved under the colonial masters. It would be unfair if I fail in mentioning that he was the first founding Chairman of the Ceylon Light Infantry Association in the year 1974.
More importantly, he was one of the few national leaders who has had left a legacy among members of the armed forces with his invaluable gift, the famous Kandawala Walawwa estate to the Defence Services before his death which no one else has even thought. Such was his greatness. His invaluable gift, now the most reputed General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, as you all know, is the country’s full-pledged Defence University which offers undergraduate and post-graduate study courses to officers of Defence Services in Sri Lanka and overseas in various disciplines of academic interest.
This visionary personage of our times with his wide knowledge on defence field and his unmatched gesture of generosity, expected all of us, members of the armed forces of Sri Lanka, to realize the university’s mandate; that is, the sacred duty of protecting the mother Sri Lanka by producing the best of the best officers for national defence.
I am thoroughly pleased to state in this august assembly today that we are now delivering the goods as he anticipated, having epitomized his gift to be an exceptionally remarkable one of world standards. In short, Sir John Kotelawala Defence University has equally emerged as one of the most respected seats of learning, having won recognition from both academics and our sons and daughters in Sri Lanka. In other words, we have paid the maximum possible tribute to this great philosopher’s memory and the vision by doing the utmost justice to his final aspirations; that is to produce the best quality graduates in many spheres of academia. Realization of this great man’s words of vision, is the most sacred tribute that we all can award to this man of excellence. As a matter of fact, history before 1980, does not record any other national level leader who had thought so much about the well-being of our armed forces and their future career progression with so much of deep analysis and closeness.
Therefore, the KDU, now expanding its wings on par with international standards, I must proudly state that the committed Vice Chancellor and the Board of Management has been performing a distinguished service in that direction.
Similarly, I must at this moment remember with gratitude the memory of Late General Dennis Perera, the former KDU Vice Chancellor for his untiring commitment to elevate this University to greater heights.
There are a number of valuable lessons and experience that we can learn from this character of eminence and admiration, like Sir John Kotelawala because men of his calibre are seldom born in any country.
On 14th January 1991 at its inaugural convocation, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy conferred the honorary degree of LLD (Doctor of Law) posthumously on General Sir John Kotelawala and saluted his memory with due recognition and admiration. This colossal figure of such outspokenness, no doubt, has in this way carved a niche in both military and political arena.
I will fail in my duty, if I do not mention a special note on the overwhelming support, being all the time extended by the Secretary Defence and Urban Development towards driving the KDU to be the “Knowledge Hub of Asia” for realization of HE the President’s vision of making Sri Lanka, emerge as the “ Wonder of Asia”. His whole-hearted support is greatly appreciated at all times for the KDU’s smooth conduct.
It is a matter of pride for all three services to have the Kotelawala Defence University for their future progress. The KDU is now a household name as one of the prestigious academic institutes of our country and I sincerely believe that the KDU quality and the standards would uninterruptedly persist and produce more and more scholars of international reputation in the years to come.
In my opinion, this is the highest and the most fitting tribute that we can pay to Late General Sir John Kotelawala, the pioneer for defence education on this day of his departure in 1980 from the journey of life.
Finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to wind up my commemorative words by drawing your attention to the following personal observations which I have been practising.
“Work always with the intention of giving your best. It is so because what you plant today will be your harvest tomorrow,” the Commander concluded.
The event’s Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Ratnayake upon welcomed by Major General Milinda Peiris, KDU Vice Chancellor and President of the Memorial Society on arrival laid floral wreaths at Sir John Kotelawala statue, together with several other invitees before commencement of the remainder of the day’s programme.
All attendees afterwards observed a two-minute silence in memory of General Sir John Kotelawala and paid respect before KDU Vice Chancellor, Major General Milinda Peiris later on delivered his note of welcome.
Continuing his memorial address to the occasion, Lieutenant General Ratnayake further, added that late General Sir John Kotelawala was very vocal in his criticism of the western behaviour towards countries that gained new independence from colonial masters, for which upon return home after Bandung Conference, he had to pay a heavy price and earned the wrath of political leaders in post-independent Sri Lanka. Yet, he was unmoved because he never traded his policy of honesty for political gains, the Commander said.
More importantly, he was one of the few national leaders who has had left a legacy among members of the armed forces with his invaluable gift, the famous Kandawala Walawwa estate to the Defence Services before his death which no one else, has even thought. Such was his greatness. His invaluable gift, now the most reputed General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, as you all know, is the country’s full-pledged Defence University which offers undergraduate and post-graduate study courses to officers of Defence Services in Sri Lanka and overseas in various disciplines of academic interest, he said.
The day’s memorial event drew to a close as the Buglers sounded the ‘The Last Post’ reciting the Ode and the ‘Reveille’, followed by the national anthem in conformity with military traditions.
General (Retd) Rohan Daluwatte, former Commander of the Army, Senior Army, Navy and Air Force Officers, Members of KDU academic staff, undergraduates, ex-servicemen and a gathering of invitees attended the event.
Here are a few excerpts of the Commander’s brief speech:
“Inviting me to make a brief memorial speech on the 33rd death anniversary of General, the Right Honourable Sir John Lionel Kotelawala CH, KBE, LLD, one of the great military and political icons of our times indeed, is a rare honour, bestowed upon me.
I thank the Vice Chancellor, Major General Milinda Peiris and the Board of Management for inviting me to deliver the memorial speech as the Chief Guest on a great man of our soil, one of the colourful Prime Ministers of our times.
Likewise, I feel twice proud of myself to be here as a Light Infantry man and talking about a proud son of my own Regiment; Light Infantry.
Late Sir John Kotelawala was a personage of exceptional abilities, both as a military officer and a politician. Being a political legend in his own lifetime, he took on the mantle of supreme power as the Prime Minister of then Ceylon in the year 1953 soon after the Hartal. He was born into a wealthy family and his father, the senior John Kotelawala was an Inspector in the Ceylon Police Department and his mother was Mrs Alice Kotelawala.
Having received his education at Royal College, Colombo, he proceeded to England during the times of World War I and attended Christ’s College, Cambridge University to study agriculture. He was an excellent sportsman in Cricket, Tennis, Golf, Polo, Boxing and he loved horses and took great pleasure in morning rides.
This great political mentor, some of us might have perhaps forgotten by now, was the driving force that led Sri Lanka into the United Nations after getting its membership and contributed to Sri Lanka’s expansion of sound foreign relations, particularly with our Asian neighbours at a time China - Tibet relations, were under intense debate.
The Prime Minister, Sir John Kotelawala had the rare distinction of leading the country’s delegation to the famous Bandung Conference in Indonesia in the year 1955.
This exemplary gentleman of courage entered politics at 35 years of age and joined mainstream politics by being elected to the Legislative Council as the member of Kurunegala and afterwards as a State Councilor before he was appointed Minister of Communication and Works and later on as the Minister of Agriculture. His interests were of varied nature.
It is in a way very pertinent in today’s context too what really reflected in the Bandung Conference, attended by 29 Heads of States, representing nearly one-fourth of the Earth’s land. Those conference organizers, attended by late General Sir John Kotelawala, focused on a wide gamut of issues, including the (I quote) ‘reluctance by the western powers to consult with Asian countries on decisions affecting Asia in a setting of cold war tensions’ (unquote) prevailing at that time. This has been still the case and continues undeterred as far as developing nations are concerned.
Late General Sir John Kotelawala was very vocal in his criticism of the western behaviour towards countries that gained new independence from colonial masters, for which upon return home from Bandung, he had to pay a heavy price and earned the wrath of political leaders in post-independent Sri Lanka. Yet, he was unmoved because he never traded his policy of honesty for political gains.
Today, we are gathered here to pay our reverence to the memory of this great ‘Sir John’ as he was popularly known, and a soldier cum statesman who despite his busy schedules, made a string of outstanding contributions to the expansion of public projects such as the Colombo Port, introduction of hydro-electricity to the country, completion of Luxapana and Norton Bridge schemes, construction of the Peradeniya University complex and the Ratmalana Airport, introduction of aviation and the development of road networks around the Kelani Bridge, etc.
His entry into the Army and commissioning in the then Ceylon Light Infantry on 15th September 1922 infused him with necessary impetus to his future public life. He served several commanding and other key appointments until his retirement, including the second in command and Commanding officer of the Ceylon Light Infantry.
However, he became a member of the Ceylon’s War Cabinet and was made a Colonel in 1942, the highest rank that a Ceylonese could have achieved under the colonial masters. It would be unfair if I fail in mentioning that he was the first founding Chairman of the Ceylon Light Infantry Association in the year 1974.
More importantly, he was one of the few national leaders who has had left a legacy among members of the armed forces with his invaluable gift, the famous Kandawala Walawwa estate to the Defence Services before his death which no one else has even thought. Such was his greatness. His invaluable gift, now the most reputed General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, as you all know, is the country’s full-pledged Defence University which offers undergraduate and post-graduate study courses to officers of Defence Services in Sri Lanka and overseas in various disciplines of academic interest.
This visionary personage of our times with his wide knowledge on defence field and his unmatched gesture of generosity, expected all of us, members of the armed forces of Sri Lanka, to realize the university’s mandate; that is, the sacred duty of protecting the mother Sri Lanka by producing the best of the best officers for national defence.
I am thoroughly pleased to state in this august assembly today that we are now delivering the goods as he anticipated, having epitomized his gift to be an exceptionally remarkable one of world standards. In short, Sir John Kotelawala Defence University has equally emerged as one of the most respected seats of learning, having won recognition from both academics and our sons and daughters in Sri Lanka. In other words, we have paid the maximum possible tribute to this great philosopher’s memory and the vision by doing the utmost justice to his final aspirations; that is to produce the best quality graduates in many spheres of academia. Realization of this great man’s words of vision, is the most sacred tribute that we all can award to this man of excellence. As a matter of fact, history before 1980, does not record any other national level leader who had thought so much about the well-being of our armed forces and their future career progression with so much of deep analysis and closeness.
Therefore, the KDU, now expanding its wings on par with international standards, I must proudly state that the committed Vice Chancellor and the Board of Management has been performing a distinguished service in that direction.
Similarly, I must at this moment remember with gratitude the memory of Late General Dennis Perera, the former KDU Vice Chancellor for his untiring commitment to elevate this University to greater heights.
There are a number of valuable lessons and experience that we can learn from this character of eminence and admiration, like Sir John Kotelawala because men of his calibre are seldom born in any country.
On 14th January 1991 at its inaugural convocation, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy conferred the honorary degree of LLD (Doctor of Law) posthumously on General Sir John Kotelawala and saluted his memory with due recognition and admiration. This colossal figure of such outspokenness, no doubt, has in this way carved a niche in both military and political arena.
I will fail in my duty, if I do not mention a special note on the overwhelming support, being all the time extended by the Secretary Defence and Urban Development towards driving the KDU to be the “Knowledge Hub of Asia” for realization of HE the President’s vision of making Sri Lanka, emerge as the “ Wonder of Asia”. His whole-hearted support is greatly appreciated at all times for the KDU’s smooth conduct.
It is a matter of pride for all three services to have the Kotelawala Defence University for their future progress. The KDU is now a household name as one of the prestigious academic institutes of our country and I sincerely believe that the KDU quality and the standards would uninterruptedly persist and produce more and more scholars of international reputation in the years to come.
In my opinion, this is the highest and the most fitting tribute that we can pay to Late General Sir John Kotelawala, the pioneer for defence education on this day of his departure in 1980 from the journey of life.
Finally, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to wind up my commemorative words by drawing your attention to the following personal observations which I have been practising.
“Work always with the intention of giving your best. It is so because what you plant today will be your harvest tomorrow,” the Commander concluded.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
