SPECIAL SERVICE HELD TO COMMEMORATE THE 44TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF RT. HON. GENERAL SIR JOHN KOTELAWALA AND THE UNIVERSITY DAY

A special service was held at the St. Francis Xavier Church, Angulana, on 24 October 2024 to invoke blessings on the university and commemorate the 44th death anniversary of the benefactor of this prestigious university. This benefactor, whose contributions have been instrumental in the establishment and growth of our university, is remembered and honored on this significant day as part of a series of multi-religious observances.

The occasion was a testament to the unity of our university community, as it was graced by the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence & Administration), military and civilian academic and non-academic staff. The day’s service commenced by reading out the theme of the event to the Congregation. The special service was conducted by Rev. Fr Indra Rathnasiri, the parish priest of St. Francis Xavier Church, Angulana.

At the outset, the priest symbolically blessed the University Flag and, in a special gesture, invoked blessings upon the Vice Chancellor, staff, and students of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. During the sermon, the priest praised the service done by the university in grooming the future generation of the country to be disciplined intellectuals to foster their respective fields of study.

Two minutes of silence were observed, a solemn tribute to the fallen war heroes. Simultaneously, the priest prayed for the war heroes under post-injury rehabilitation and recuperation for a speedy recovery. Towards the end of the service, the priest, while commending the role played by the KDU, wanted to continue its unmatched service to the nation.