8.8.2008
Major Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa


The 16th death anniversary of the late Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa, the legendary War Hero of our times and eight other military leaders including Major General Wijaya Wimalaratne and Rear Admiral Mohan Jayamaha falls today (August 8).

Lieutenant Colonel H.R Stephen, Lieutenant Colonel G.H. Ariyarathne, Lieutenant Colonel Y.N. Palipana, Lieutenant Commander Asanga Lankathilaka, Major Nalin de Alwis, Lieutenant Commander C.B. Wijepura and Private W.J. Wickremasinghe were the other war heroes who perished in an LTTE terrorist blast at Araly point, Jaffna.

Kobbekaduwa the veteran soldier was fondly loved by his officers and soldiers alike. He was also equally loved by a majority of Sri Lankans of Buddhist, Hindu, Catholic and Islam denominations.

Major General Wijaya Wimalaratne

His untimely demise shocked the Nation as people plunged into shock and grief when the radio broke the news on that fateful day. A sea of mourners and patriots attended his final funeral rites.

Kobbekaduwa was deeply loved by his subordinates for his inspirational leadership and humanity. The massive crowds at his funeral proved the love and respect that people had towards him. His demise drove the entire country into mourning.

This valiant warrior who earned the sobriquet officer and gentleman should be revered and his name perpetuated so that the present generation can learn about his noble qualities.

We can take heart that even today there are a number of officers leading the battle field who were trained by him. Today the nation is remembering with gratitude this gallant officer on the 16th anniversary of his death.

I have been to his Rosmead Place residence, where I have seen a row of his photographs decorated with fresh white flowers by his beloved wife Lali Kobbekaduwa. But it is not only at the Kobbekaduwa residence that his photographs are displayed.

There are homes across the island which have at least one photograph of the smiling General, the very epitome of compassion.

The book written by Soma Jayakody on the late General gives intricate details about this national hero. During my 15 year career in the Army I can recollect several occasions where I happened to come into contact with him.

In 1982 I was a young 2nd second Lieutenant and I, together with two of my batchmates Vajira and Nishani had to sit for an exam to determine our seniority after returning from the Women's Royal Army Corps College in UK.

We were ordered to report to Army Headquarters to get instructions on the Map Reading exam which was scheduled to be held out of Colombo. We were taken before Lt Colonel Denzil Kobbekaduwa who was the Grade 1 Staff Officer at the G branch (responsible for training and operations) as it was called those days.

Three young girls appearing in combat uniform at the Army Headquarters for the first time was an unusual scene. Everyone was looking at us and we were a bit excited. But Lt Colonel Kobbekaduwa spoke to us encouragingly making us comfortable and briefed us about the exam.

I saw him a few times since then at various military functions but we heard a lot about his battlefield exploits and qualities from my male counterparts serving under him at the height of the conflict.

The late Lt Colonel Nalin de Alwis, the Staff Officer to the late General and a good friend of mine who died in the same incident told me many stories about how much General Kobbekaduwa was concerned not only about his officers and men but also about the innocent civilians in the North.

Then again when my own younger brother Lt. Senany Bandara went missing in action during Operation Balawegaya in the Mullaitivu jungles he spoke to me over the phone to my office at Kynsey Road where I was serving as the Second in command of the Army Women's Corps.

I was a Major at that time and I was surprised to get a call from General Kobbekaduwa, but that was his true nature despite his busy schedule. He remembered my first name after many years and expressed his sympathy. "I am very sorry about what happened to your brother but we are trying our best to get him back," he said.

I was deeply touched by this phone call at that moment of sorrow and it was that incident which made me decide that I must write a book dedicated to him and hand it over when he comes to Colombo.

I was in the middle of writing a book of poetry titled Poppy Mal about my military experience on the war. Unfortunately the opportunity of handing over this book to him when he was alive never materialised. Instead I had to march in his funeral parade along Bauddhaloka Mawatha to the General Cemetery.

As a consolation however the book Poppy Mal was published silently and the little profit earned from the sales proceeds was donated to the Kobbekaduwa Trust Fund at a commemorative event organised by me on his third death anniversary.

Sir, Your name will be written in golden letters in the history of our Motherland and will be etched in the collective memory of a grateful public.

The Denzil Kobbekaduwa Trust Fund chaired by your beloved wife Lali continues to support fallen war heroes. Still there is an opportunity for the public to show their gratitude by way of donations to the Trust.

Courtesy: Daily News