Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

Memory of Lt General Denzil Kobbekaduwa & accompanying war heroes refreshed

August 08, 2022

30 years have passed since the legendary War Hero of contemporary times, Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa laid his precious life on that fateful day ( 8 August 1992) at Araly point in the Jaffna peninsula, along with accompanying nine-member team, 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.

The shocking blast that deprived the country of a fine ensemble of great warriors on that fateful day shook the nation to its core and plummeted military morale to the lowest ever while fighting against the LTTE was on elsewhere in the North and East. The loss of a gentleman warrior, General Denzil, as he was respectfully and adorably known among the rank and file, lingers in the memories of grateful Sri Lankans forever and his own Sri Lanka Armoured Corps Regiment.

Several ceremonies to commemorate his 30th death anniversary are scheduled at Anuradhapura where his life-size statue is to be garlanded and saluted in a formal military salute. Separate 'Pinkam' meritorious programmes, headed by his spouse, Mrs Laly Kobbekaduwa have also been arranged to transfer merits to late colossus and all fallen War Heroes on Monday (8).

It was only in the year 2021, Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa Memorial Museum was established and opened at Araly Point.

Courtesy - www.army.lk