10th August 2021 09:27:29 Hours
The 29th death anniversary of the late Lieutenant General Denzil Lakshman Kobbekaduwa falls on 08 August 2021.
Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa was one of the most distinguished military officer who laid down his life along with 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 Alwis, Lieutenant Commander C B Wijepura and the soldier, Private W J Wickremasinghe while on a military assignment at Araly Point in Kayts, Jaffna on 08th August 1992.
Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa was born on 27th July in 1940 and studied at Trinity College, Kandy. Later he has joined the Sri Lanka Army on 25th May in 1960. Upon completing basic military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, he has underwent further military training at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst UK. He was commissioned to the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps as a Second Lieutenant on 03rd August 1962.
As a brave military leader he made an indelible mark in the battle ground during Vadamarachchi and Balaweegaya Operations. He was awarded a number of medals including the Rana Wickrama Padakkama and Rana Sura Padakkama (twice), Vadamarachchi Operations Medal. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and awarded the Vishista Seva Vibushanaya, Utthama Seva Padakkama and Desha Putra Sammanaya. Mrs Lali Kobbekaduwa received the Utthama Pooja Pranama Padakkama medal in 2010 for the valorous deed done by the late Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa.
Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa, one of the finest warrior ever produced by the Army and Sri Lanka Armoured Corps in our contemporary history fell silent on 8th August 1992. The 29th death anniversary of the legendary war hero, Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa RWP RSP VSV USP rcds psc was held at Lieutenant General D L Kobbekaduwa commemoration statue in Anuradhapura on 08th August 2021. Commander Security Forces Headquarters Wanni Major Genaral D M H D Bandara RWP RSP USP attended as the Chief Guest. Further, Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Armoured Corps Maj Gen D B S N Bothota RWP RSP USP psc and many senior officers graced the occasion.
Floral wreaths were laid by the Chief Guest, Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Armoured Corps and other senior officers of Sri Lanka Armoured Corps along with many senior officers of Tri-Service. The event was conducted in accordance with health guidelines and regulations of COVID – 19 pandemic situation.
