ONE of the finest War Heroes in our contemporary history, Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa is remembered on 8th August by grateful fellow-military personnel and people of Sri Lanka as eighteen years have passed since his untimely death.
Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa whose leadership and command brought about many victories to Sri Lanka Army during early battles of the Eelam wars fell silent on 8th August 1992 along with fellow-military veterans, Major General Wijaya Wimalarathne, Rear Admiral Mohan Jayamaha, Lieutenant Colonel H.R Stephen, Lieutenant Colonel G. H. Ariyarathne, Lieutenant Colonel Y N Palipana, Commander Asanga Lankathilaka, Lieutenant Colonel Nalin de Alwis, Lieutenant Commander C. B. Wijepura and the soldier, Private W J Wickremasinghe while they were on a military assignment in Araly Point in Kayts, Jaffna.
Lieutenant General Kobbekaduwa’s Regiment, Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC), has organized a series of commemorative religious activities to mark the eighteenth death anniversary of the military chief, Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa, the legendary War Hero of our times, giving prominence to donation of dry rations to less fortunate in Thanthirimale, conduct of alms givings and Bodhi Poojas, Dhamma sermons, etc. Mrs Kobbekaduwa will take part in the distribution of dry-rations and alms-giving at Lankaramaya on Sunday (8). A military salute was also to be given to honour him at Anuradhapura.
Lt Gen Denzil Kobbekaduwa, an old Trinitian, joined the Sri Lanka Army on 25th May 1960. After the basic military training at the Army Training centre, he left for Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, UK for further training and was commissioned to the Sri Lanka Armoured corps, as a Second Lieutenant on 03rd August 1962.
Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa along with several other military leaders made the supreme sacrifice when Tiger terrorists activated a blast against their vehicle on 8th August 1992 as they were in Araly Point in Kayts, Jaffna.
Governor for North Western Province Mr Karunaratne Divulgane, Chief Minister for North Western Province Mr Berti Premalal Dissanayake, Mrs Laly Kobbekaduwa, Colonel Athula Ariyaratne, Area Commander for Anuradhapura, relatives of late General Kobbekaduwa and members of the public were also present at the military ceremony where floral wreaths were laid.
Photos below were taken during the military salutes before the Anuradhapura Denzil Kobbekaduwa statue.
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