THE 17th ‘Jathika Virujana Sammana’ (National Awards for Acts of Heroism) was ceremonially held at BMICH, Colombo on 3rd June 2010. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Malayasian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Mr Rosaly Ismail.
The ‘Virujana Golden Award’ (money and gold award) was awarded to Sergeant W.K Ajith Premakumara of the Sri Lanka Army of Meerigama for the heroic deed he had done in saving the life of a woman from drowning and crocodile attacks when she tried to take her own life by jumping into Matara, Nilwala river.
Two silver awards were also presented at this ceremony. One went to Police Constable A.H Anura for saving the life of a woman, sinking in Aluthmodara, Weligama. The other one was awarded to soldier, Private A.M.A Kapila of 3rd Battalion, Gemunu Watch in Matara for saving the life of a woman suffering from mental disorder when she had fallen into the Nilwala river.
The ‘Asian Virujana Golden Award’ was awarded to Mr. Krishnamurthi Chandran from Malayasia for the heroic deed he had done in saving the lives of a number of passengers in a sinking ferry in the seas off South China.
In addition, two Virujana certificates were awarded to Mr B.M Jayantha Crus of Nugegoda and Mr L. Edmond Somasiri of Ambepussa. the veteran journalist, Mr Arun Dias Bandaranayaka was awarded ‘Virujana Noor Alim’ media award in appreciation of his contributions to popularize Virujana heroism.
The ‘Heroic Star’ students award presented for the first time was won by the student Wasana Sanjeewa from St. Anthony’s College, Baddegama. The launching of the book titled ‘Rantharuwa’ based on this heroic deed written by Mrs Shyma Amarasinghe, a teacher of the school was also honoured at the same time by presenting the copies of the book to former Secretary to the Ministry of Education Mr Nimal Bandara and to Professor Carlo Fonseka.
The Buddhist clergy including the Chief incumbent of Sri Lanka Buddhist temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malayasia Ven. B. Saranankara and Ven. Thrikunamale Ananda, Minister of State Resources and Enterprises Development Mr P. Dayarathna MP, The President, Veera Podujana Foundation Mr Kasun P. Chandrarathna, it’s Secretary Mr Chandana Ranaveerarachchi, Overall Operations Commander (OOC), Western Province, Major General S.R Manawadu former Chief Justice Harinda Ranasinghe and a large number of invitees were present on the occasion. The Army cultural troupe entertained the participants.
