To the attention of

The Honorable President of Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,

Honorable Defence Secretary, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa,

Dear Sirs,

These are the opening words of a memorial article written on this gallant soldier as appeared in a daily newspaper on his death anniversary 7th of August 2014 in Sri Lanka.

A hero is a great warrior or man of noble qualities and great achievements. Lieutenant General Denzil Lakshman Kobbekaduwa was both of these. He was beloved by his men, respected by his colleagues and loved by the people. Unfortunately, the powers that be, not being men of great stature would not give him his due not only when he was alive but even after he died”.

I am not amazed to read these angry words in bold letters describing the paltry recognition of a much honoured brave soldier having seen the site for myself in December 2009 on my visit to Jaffna where he and Brigadier Vijaya Wimalaratne, Rear Admiral Jayamaha were killed by the enemy bomb planted in the vehicle they travelled.

It was quite evident from the scanty directions and lack of decent approach road to the site (Araly Point) of a soldier who sacrificed his life to defend his country from a brutal terrorist movement like LTTE, that not much thought or importance had been given as to how their gallant efforts should be remembered and honoured. At the time there was one Army soldier at guard who narrated how the gallant soldiers met with disaster. We were a full bus load who had travelled from Colombo. We were all shocked at the wayward recognition given to the site where the best soldier of the country met with his death while every other site had been given due recognition with victory monuments and rightfully a life size stature for Hasalaka Gamini, where we all shed a tear at both these sites.

In 2009 some roads were carpeted leading to Jaffna and the suburbs while heavy constructions of the infrastructure were seen all over including the Nagadeepa Sacred site. A visitor to this site few months ago in 2014 cites still there is no proper road and the site is manned by one guard, the photo taken by him is attached here.

I cannot believe such a hero is so shabbily treated, while we respect and revere all those who sacrificed their life to annihilate the brutal enemy and usher safety and freedom to all Lieutenant General Denzil Lakshman Kobbekaduwa should receive the highest recognition that the country could bestow upon him.

I am compelled to believe this is an over sighted issue which will receive the due recognition in the very near future.

Yours sincerely,

Vajiragnana Warnakulasuriya,

Melbourne