Weerodara Vibhushanaya (Heroism Decoration Medal)
The decoration shall be granted to all Ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of a non-military of the most exceptional order performed voluntarily with no regard to his own life and security with the objective of saving or safeguarding the life or lives of a personal or persons imperilled by death or for a meritorious act or a series of acts of a humane nature of a exceptional order displayed in saving life from drowning, fire and rescue operations in mines, floods and similar calamities under circumstances of gave bodily injury or great danger to the life of the rescuer and who are recommended by the Commander of the Army, the Commander of the Navy, the Commander of the Airforce to receive the award under the terms and conditions defined in the regulations appearing in the Gazette Extraordinary No. 156/5 of 1st September 1981 of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Captain (QM) PLSL Cooray WV of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
On 30th November 1989, Lieutenant DRAB Jayatilake along with Lance Corporal Cooray and Rifleman Ratnayake, all of the Sinha Regiment, was on an air reconnaissance patrol, the helicopter they were in flying from Palaliin the direction of Jaffna. A malfunction in the mechanics of the helicopter resulted in the helicopter to come down and force land in the Nawanthurai Lagoon.
The occupants, now carrying various injuries, hurriedly vacated the wreckage which at the time was already in flames. In the effort to escape from the dangers posed by the situation, Lieutenant DRAB Jayatilake finding it difficult to reach safe ground was on the verge of being drowned when Lance Corporal Cooraynoticed that his officer in trouble. Instantly, without any hesitation what so ever, Lance Corporal Cooray, who at the time was himself carrying burn injuries, moved to where his officer was and rescued the officer from the situation he was already in.
This act of bravery is reported as the very first incident where a member of the military had been recommend and awarded the Weerodara Vibhushanaya.
Lance Corporal Cooray with burn injuries & Group-photo of Lieutenant Jayatilake, Lance-Corporal Cooray and Rifleman Rathnayaka
