Lance Corporal Abeyrathna Banda AMBG PWV of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
Recruit Abeyrathna Banda AMBG was a member of a small group of eight soldiers who were tasked to conduct a special operation on 29th January 2009 to destroy a well secured LTTE bunker that was utilized to launch attacks on the security forces.
Without considering the danger of the enemy ground where anti personnel mines and traps were laid, this small group including recruit Abeyrathna Banda AMBG reached their target in tactical and secret manner and attacked the enemy bunker. The fight between the LTTE and the security forces became very severe due to devastating counter attack of the LTTE. Recruit Abeyrathna Banda AMBG was critically injured due to gunshot injuries in the battle.
However, this battle-oriented soldier did not give up his mission and fought continuously with courage and valour. Having perceived, his comrade soldiers would be encircled and assaulted by the terrorists, disregarding risk to his own life and security, this heroic soldier broke into the enemy and exploded a hand grenade ending his own life and terrorists around him thereby sacrificing his own life and youth for the sovereignty of the Motherland whilst protecting the lives of his comrades.
S/198852 Recruit Abeyrathna Banda AMBG of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, for his individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of the most exceptional order, in the face of the enemy performed voluntarily whilst on active service, with the objective of safeguarding the lives of his comrades and facilitating the operational aim of his force is hereby awarded posthumously the 'Parama Weera Vibhushanaya'.
Colonel of the Regiment unveiling the photograph of Rifleman Abeyrathne at the Regimental Museum
