A SERIES OF COMMEMORATIVE religious activities to mark the sixteenth death anniversary of the military chief, Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa, the legendary War Hero of our times and eight other military leaders, including Major General Wijaya Wimalarathne, are held in Thanthirimale, Anuradhapura and elsewhere during two days (August 7-8).
Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa along with veterans like 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 Aliwis, Lieutenant Commander C B Wijepura and the soldier, Private W J Wickremasinghe sacrificed their lives near Araly Point in Kayts island Jaffna when Tiger terrorists activated a blast against their vehicle on 8th August 1992.
Thanthirimale sacred area which remained quite close to the heart of late Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa will this year too be the centre of focus as usual with Bodhi Poojas and distribution of dry ration packets among villagers in Thanthirimale. All those activities have been organized under the auspices of Ven. Thanthirimale Chnadrarathana Nayaka Thero and Mrs. Laly Kobbekaduwa. Those gift parcels were to be distributed Thursday (7) evening at the Thanthirimale Temple premises.
On Friday (8th August) an alms giving to Maha Sangha at Lankarama Viharaya, Anuradhapura, followed by a special Bodhi Pooja at sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will be attended by Mrs. Kobbekaduwa and close relatives of the family.
Commemorative events kicked off on 31st July at the St Theresa church, Thimbirigasyaya with a special mass with the participation of close relatives of all War Heroes who laid their lives in the Araly blast.
This veteran soldier, fondly remembered by both his officers and soldiers alike, was also equally respected by Sri Lankans of all ethnicities. His untimely demise that came when LTTE terrorism was gathering momentum shocked the Nation as people plunged into excitement and grief when the radios broke the news of his tragedy on that fateful day. A sea of mourners and patriots attended his final funeral rites, unprecedented in the history of military funerals.
Meanwhile, officers and soldiers of his Regiment, Sri Lanka Armored Corps have organized a Dhamma oration preceded by a Bodhi Pooja in memory of this great War Hero and others on 13th August. Late Major General Wijaya Wimalarathna’s Gajabha Regiment, was to offer alms to adults in Anuradhapura after floral offerings are made to the statue of Major General Wijaya Wimalarathna in the Regimental headquarters premises in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura. His members of the family are to offer alms to Maha Sangha in separate meritorious acts.
(Courtesy : Sri Lanka Army )