KDU War Heroes’ Monument Unveiled
Over the last 41 years of its proud history, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) has produced a large number of tri-service officers of very high calibre, and they have extended an invaluable service to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the motherland.
Among them were 109 KDU officers who sacrificed their lives, valiantly fighting against threats posed against the motherland. On the request and guidance of the Vice Chancellor, Major General Milinda Peiris RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, the Alumni Association of KDU accomplished the noble endeavour of establishing a war heroes’ monument at KDU premises at Ratmalana as a tribute to those war heroes for their immeasurable sacrifice.
The newly constructed KDU War Heroes’ Monument was ceremonially dedicated on the 17th of February 2023 with the unveiling of the plaque by the Chief Guest, Honourable Dinesh Gunawardena, the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Among the distinguished participants at this occasion were the Chancellor of KDU General (Retd.) Shantha Kottegoda WWV, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence General (Retd) General Kamal Gunaratne WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Wikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, RSP **, USP, ndu, psc and the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa.
Hon Prime Minister, Secretary of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Commanders of the Army and Navy and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Vice Chancellor of KDU, Rector Metropolitan Campus KDU Major General Lal Gunasekara RSP USP psc, Rector Southern Campus KDU Major General LCR Jayasuriya RSP ndc psc, DVC (Defence & Administration) Brigadier Chinthaka Wicramasinghe, DVC (Academic) Professor Sanath Dammika, the Chairman and members of the Alumni Association of KDU, Next of Kins of the War Heroes laid floral tributes at the newly dedicated KDU War Heroes’ Monument.
The Memorial Monument will remain as a symbol of reminiscence of KDU War Heroes for years to come, and the grateful nation will salute them with respect for ever.
