Col. G.W. Rajapakse was my role model – Defence Secretary
January 01, 2021Mentioning the names of all military leaders from Ananda College who led the Sri Lankan war against terrorists at the forefront to see an end in 2009, starting from the current President, Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) said, they all were students of Late Brevet Col. G.W. Rajapakse, who was an exemplary character in school.
“Late Brevet Col. G.W. Rajapakse was a role model for me” he stated.
Citing the imparting of practices of ‘leadership’ at school level by this true son of Ananda College, he said “We were taught to ‘Command’, the word embedded with ‘Leadership’ followed by ‘Authority’, ‘Responsibility’ and most importantly the ‘Accountability’ which is abided by the flow of command”.
“All those were the challenges, he imparted to us while setting an example”, he said while illustrating his personality, character and the leadership quality.
His character was the key element that influenced so many Anandians to join the Armed Forces to serve our motherland, he also recalled.
“Col. Rajapakse taught school prefects to organize events and lead situations by themselves”, he recollected his memories while unfolding an event of organizing sports-meet during his time.
He expressed these remarks while gracing a ceremony organized to confer ‘Late Brevet Col. G.W. Rajapakse Trophy’ to the National Cadets Corps (NCC) as the Chief Guest at the NCC Headquarters Colombo yesterday (Dec 31).
Director NCC Maj. Gen. Ruwan Kulathunga received the Memorial Trophy from the Chief Guest during the session.
Further mentioning the great contribution and service rendered by Col. Rajapakse to the NCC during his tenure he said “Along with this milestone event, the best NCC Cadet will receive the ‘Col. G.W. Rajapakse Memorial Trophy’ yearly from 2021 onwards”.
“I believe, this Trophy would tempt its contestants forming a stiff competition amongst themselves to sharpen their talents”, he noted.
Amidst the busy schedule, I also reserved time to pen the biography of this outstanding role model, following the backing of my college seniors, he also said.
G.W. Rajapaksa started his schooling at Ananda College, joined the tutorial staff and became the Principal of his alma-mater.
This great personality has held many positions including O.C. Contingent of Cadets, Games Prefect, College Hostel Warden, Deputy Principal and as the Principal.
Mementos were also exchanged between the Defence Secretary and the Director NCC to signify the occasion.
Chairperson Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit Chithrani Gunaratne, Ananda College Principal S.M Keerthirathna and tutorial staff, Director General Disaster Management Centre Maj. Gen. Sudantha Ranasinghe, Rehabilitation Commissioner General Maj. Gen. Dharshana Hettiarachchi, Air Force Chief of Staff Air Vice Marshal Ravi Jayasinghe, senior military officers, Chairman and Members of Ananda College Old Boys Association, Chairman and Members of Old Anandian Band Circle, NCC Staffers, NCC cadets and students were also present at the event.
