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Sri Lanka Army

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Tribute Paid to Late Sir John Kotelawala on His 113th Birth Anniversary

A COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY to mark the 113th birth anniversary of Late General Sir John Kotelawala CH KBE LLD, organized by Ratmalana Gen. Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) was held at the university premises Sunday (4) morning.

The ceremony is annually held by the KDU in collaboration with the Gen. Sir John Kotelawala Memorial Society as a mark of honour and gratitude paid to the political cum military veteran who donated his property including the Kandawala “Walauva” and his estate for the use of Armed Forces before his demise.

Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasooriya who was the Chief Guest at the ceremony was received on arrival by the Chancellor KDU and incumbent President of Gen. Sir John Kotelawala Memorial Society Gen. (Retd) J.E.D Perera.

At the commencement of the day’s proceedings, the Army Commander paid floral tributes to the statue of General Sir John Kotelawala at the invitation of General (Retd) Dennis Perera while the Army band played the melody of “Old Soldiers Never Die, They just fade away”. He was followed by Chancellor KDU General (Retd) J.E.D Perera along with Commandant KDU Major General Milinda Peiris, founder President of Gen. Sir John Kotelawala Memorial Society Mr. Onaly Gulam Hussain, relatives of Gen. Sir John Kotelawala and well-wishers.  

Commander of the Army and the Chancellor KDU later on addressed the gathering and President Gen. Sir John Kotelawala Memorial Society recited the ode before culmination of the programme with the National Anthem.

Before leaving the venue, the Army Commander placed his signature in the KDU Visitors’ Book.

Officer Cadets, members of academic and non-academic staff, relatives of Late General and members of Gen. Sir John Kotelawala Memorial Society were present on the occasion.

Here is the speech made by Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya;

Lt Gen Dennis Perera the Chancellor of Kotelawala Defence University, Major General Peiris, the Commandant and the Vice Chancellor of the KDU, Deans, faculty members, officers of the tri services, staff, Officer cadets and civilian employees.

Firstly let me thank the Chancellor Genneral Dennis Perera for extending an invitation to me the Chief Guest this morning at the 113th Birthday celebration of Sir John Kotelawala.

General The Right Honourable Sir John Lionel Kotelawala saw the light of this world in 1897. He lived through some of the most trying times in the history of our country and is a true son of the soil. General Sir John Kotelawala grew up without a father to guide him and drew his strength from his mother. It is from her that Sir John had learnt lessons in tolerance, and the importance of tackling every difficult situation with courage and determination. Her life as a social worker taught him many values and regard for religion.

Without a father to guide him the man who had most to do with moulding his character and influencing him was, his uncle F. R. Senanayake the brother of D. S. Senanayake.

Sir John after his preliminary education at Royal College Colombo pursued his higher studies in London. He attended Christ College, Cambridge. Having spent five years in Europe he returned to Sri Lanka.

The riots of 1915 inspired Sir John to be a soldier and to see the setting up of a Ceylon Army able to defend its own country. In 1922 his ambition was fulfilled when he became a Lieutenant in the Ceylon Light Infantry and later retired from the regiment as a Colonel.

General Sir John was a keen enthusiast of sports and most was a skilled and gifted horse rider. He believed very much in team spirit and discipline and the ability to face triumph and disaster with equality. He was a firm believer in loyalty. His life story and the love for his country amply demonstrate this. This is a lesson to be practiced and valued even for today.

Today the young men and women of our country and the officers of the services enjoy the privilege of a National Defence University thanks to the generous gift of a true soldier and a son of the soil. This would not have been a reality if not for one man standing among us today. That is none other than Lieutenant General Dennis Perera who in his capacity as Commander of the Army first presented the idea of a Defence Academy in Sri Lanka to Sir John. I once read Sir" that you had to ask him for it very diplomatically and his reaction had been “This is the trouble with you Army fellows, if you see something good you want to grab it!”. Thereafter, on November 11, 1979, Sir John first gifted Kandawala to the nation retaining a life-interest in it. Later, on April 7, 1980, Sir John transferred his property by way of a gift absolute and irrevocable to the nation. A gift of a true statesman and patriotic son of our country. The Kotelawala Defence Academy was so established on the 11th of October 1980.

It is no doubt that the officers who passed out from this premier institution contributed immensely to the great achievements of our forces in our victory against terrorism. Their contribution in defeating the LTTE and establishing the government writ in whole of the country is also a tribute to Sir John himself.

Today we are at cross roads to development. The Army is in the fore front of this process today. In the east we are involved in the Nagenahira Udanaya and in the north the Army’s contribution to the Uthuru Wasanthaya is immeasurable. Winning the hearts and minds of the people in north and east should be foremost in the minds of all. Winning the respect and confidence of them should be by your exemplary actions and high standard of discipline.

The Sri Lanka Army and other sister services have today come of age. We are a professional outfit. The time has come now for us to further concentrate on becoming professional in our own fields.

The Kotelawala Defence Academy has also come of age and today become a renowned University in the country taking the three forces on this path to wisdom and professionalism, thanks to Sir John’s great gift of the Kandawala Estate and the vision of Lieutenant General Dennis Perera.

It is no surprise that Sir John was the third Prime Minister of Sri Lanka as he was an accomplished politician, a seasoned military officer who practiced the profession of politics with zeal and energy. He was also a true and proud nationalist who loved his country and its people.

In conclusion I would like to say that, the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University is surely a fitting monument that stands as testimony to the character, patriotism and statesmanship of the great son of Sri Lanka.

Once again I thank General Dennis Perera the Chancellor of the KDU for inviting me to grace this occasion as the Chief Guest.

Thank You.