Published on - 8/10/2004
TWELVE YEARS ago late in the afternoon on August 8, the Sri Lankan nation suddenly stood aghast at the news of the tragic death of Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa RWP RSP VSV USP rcds psc along with nine other fellow War Heroes like Major General Vijaya I. C. K. M Wimalaratne RWP RSP VSV USP psc, Rear Admiral C. A Mohan N. Jayamaha RWP RSP VSV, Colonel G. H. Ariyaratne RWP RSP, Colonel N. Palipana RWP RSP, Colonel H. R Stephen, Colonel Nalin S De Alwis, Lt. Commander Asanka Lankathilake (Navy), Lt W. D. D. C. W Wijayapura (Navy), and Lance Corporal W. J. Wickremaratne. That was a day of mourning for this island-nation whose troops were marching forward against secessionist forces under the able guidance of the Lt. Gen Kobbekaduwa.
Lt. Gen Kobbekaduwa created a niche for himself among all Sri Lankans, be they were Sinhalese or Tamils, in both peace-making and warfare since this slain military leader par excellence maintained a very humane approach towards Sri Lanka's national question and those who have fallen prey to vicious circles of divisive forces and terrorism.
Lt. Gen Kobbekaduwa, one of the most loved, ardent and illustrious advocates of peace and the archetype of Sri Lankan soldier made the supreme sacrifice with others while on duty at Araly Point in Kayts, Jaffna.
This year\'s highlights of the commemorative ceremonies included the opening of a permanent monument erected by the Armed Forces at the very point of their tragic demise at Araly Point and a series of other meritorious activities in his memory by members of Lt. Gen Kobbekaduwa's family.
Naval men on Sunday (8), the fateful day Lt Gen Kobbekaduwa and others laid their lives for the sake of us, saluted this newly-re-erected monument in memory of those fallen heroes at Araly Point at a simple ceremony and paid a glittering tribute to those War Heroes. Commander, North of the Sri Lanka Navy L. D Dharmapriya RSP USP psc ndc unveiled the statue of the slain leader while members of the Maha Sangha invoked merits on the fallen leader and others. Major General W.UB. Eridisinghe also attended the ceremony.
A series of meritorious activities headed by Mrs Laly Kobbekaduwa were observed at Tanthirimale temple, a place that remained very close to the slain leader\'s heart and also inside sacred places at Anuradhapura, including the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
Recalling dedicated and humanitarian gestures of the late War Hero when he was alive, Mrs Kobbekaduwa distributed hundreds of dry-ration parcels among the needy in the area at Tanthirimale.
Mrs Kobbekaduwa placed a floral wreath at the foot of his husband's statue at Anuradhapura town and paid her respect to Lt. Gen Kobbekaduwa before she offered alms to monks at Lanka Vihara, Anuradhapura later on the day.. The Bodhi Puja at Anuradhapura afterwards drew large crowds, including Army troops.
At Vavuniya, a separate commemorative ceremony organized by 211 Brigade got under way in the morning after garlanding the Kobbekaduwa statue in the centre of Vavuniya. A representative gathering of religious dignitaries, Armed Forces and the Police took part in this event where Last Post was sounded in his memory. A two-minute silence was also observed on the occasion before the ceremony ended.
Special meritorious activities in memory of other War Heroes who perished in the tragedy were also held in respective Army units, temples and at their residences.
