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The death of another most-admired and illustrious senior officer, Brigadier S Benadict Gabriel De Silva (Retd) of Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI), occurred on Tuesday (27) after a brief illness. Famed for his affable personality and multifaceted social service projects while in service and particularly after retirement, Brigadier De Silva remained a very popular figure in his home town, attracting the goodwill of everyone who knew him. His was a service unparalleled in the SLLI of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF), specially during the crucial stages of the country in 1980s due to political upheavals where he was the District Coordinating Officer for Polonnaruwa, Ampara, and Puttalam in separate time periods.
Here follows the Part I Order issued by the SLAVF on behalf of the Commander of the Army, officers and all ranks;
(PART I ORDER)
Commander of the Army and Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force record with profound grief the passing away of Brigadier S Benadict Gabriel De Silva KSV on 27 May 2014 at the General Hospital Negombo after a brief illness.
Sembukutti Arachchige Benadict Gabriel De Silva was born on 30 October 1934 to his parents, S B G De Silva and Helen Halangoda Kumarihami at Katana in Gampaha district. He was a proud product of Trinity College Kandy.
He joined the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force on 1 May 1956 and upon his commissioning on 1 May 1957, he was posted to the Second Volunteer Battalion of Sri Lanka Light Infantry. Being an Officer of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry, he had the privilege of holding the appointments such as Adjutant from 1967 to 1968, Second in Command from 1980 to 1982 and the Commanding Officer from 1983 to 1985 of Second Volunteer Battalion of Sri Lanka Light Infantry.
Subsequently, he was appointed as the Coordinating Officer at Polonnaruwa and Ampara from 1983 to 1984 and at Puttalam in 1989. Then, he was appointed as the Colonel of the Regiment of Sri Lanka National Guard from 1991 to 1993 and was the Deputy Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force from 1993 to 1994 before his retirement on 31 December 1994.
In recognition of his services, he was awarded the following medals:
a. Karyakshama Seva Vibhushanaya.
b. Purna Bhumi Padakkama.
c. Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal 1972.
d. Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal 1974.
e. President’s Inauguration Medal 1978.
f. Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Centenary Medal 1981.
He leaves behind his beloved wife Mrs. Kanthi De Silva and the two loving sons, Sanjeewa and Himal.
The demise of Brigadier S Benadict Gabriel De Silva KSV, a thorough gentleman is an irreparable loss not only to Lady Mrs. Kanthi De Silva and two sons Sanjeewa and Himal, but also to all of his relations, friends and his contemporaries in the armed services.
Commander of the Army, Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force and all ranks hereby extend the most heart-felt condolence to all members of the family of Brigadier S Benadict Gabriel De Silva.
The funeral of Brigadier S Benadict Gabriel De Silva KSV takes place with full Military Honors befitting to the rank at Roman Catholic Cemetery at Halpe, Katana at 1700 hrs on 31 May 2014.
As a son of Mother Lanka, he is ever remembered by all of us at the time of sunrise and sunset.
“MAY HE REST IN PEACE”
