Lloyd R. Peter An amazing father
Children see the world through their parents’ eyes. The expectations of children, their hopes and dreams are mostly based on what they see and hear in the actions and words of their parents.
The world that my brother Roshan and I saw through our Dada’s eyes, words and hands was a world full of love, a world of selflessness where someone else’s happiness was always given priority over one’s own. In fact, we didn’t realize how insincere and selfish the world could really be until the Lord called Dada home to His nearer presence.
When he spoke of family, relatives and friends, he meant being there for them any time – day or night, in good times and especially, in the sad and hard times.
He gave me and Roshan throughout our childhood, and in later years, my husband and daughter a sense of belonging and a sense of security that no matter what comes our way, he would be there for us always, when we needed him.
He showed us the value of praying and the need to look to the Lord no matter what our circumstances were. Every morning, regardless of what time he went to bed, he would wake up at 4 a.m. and spend his time quietly with his Shepherd ( in the house he had named Green Pastures) praying for all of us, not forgetting those beyond the family who needed strength and guidance. He used to pray for those who repeatedly hurt him and lied about him and in his quiet time with his Saviour, he found the strength to forgive them. The picture of him starting his day on his knees is still etched in our hearts and minds.
We were truly blessed to have a father who loved and followed His Heavenly Father with childlike faith and thereby became a wonderful, God-fearing and loving father to us.
My brother, my daughter, my husband and I miss him every day even though it’s been eleven years since his demise. We are very grateful to the Lord for blessing us with such a wonderful Dada who showed us how to live, not just by telling us what to do but by demonstrating in deed how we ought to live.
He used to sing that old hymn “Take my hand, Precious Lord”. After eleven hard years, we look all the more for that glorious day when we shall see our Lord returning and when we will be reunited with Dada.
Roshni
Lt. Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa’s 26th death anniversary falls on August 8 :
The most respected person of the last century
Born in Kandy, July 27, 1940 though a devout Buddhist, respected and valued other religions and commanded the respect of all religious leaders.
Primary education at Hillwood College and Trinity College, Kandy. Senior Prefect, Rugby captain and a Rugby Lion, Hockey Vice-captain and a Coloursman, 1st Xi Cricketer
Profession: Officer in the Sri Lanka Army / Sportsman
Academic Studies at Ceylon Army Training Centre Diyatalawa, Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Technical Transport / Young Officers Course for Armoured Corps Officers in Bovington, Staff College Camberley and Royal College of Defence Studies Staff College England.
Died on August 8 1992 around 3.30 pm. due to injuries sustained in a bomb blast that occurred around 9.30 am. at Aralay Point, Kayts, Jaffna.
General Denzil Kobbekaduwa was a true military commander who was able to command the respect (not demand) of the Tri Forces due to the soldier friendly policy adopted by him - Led from the front, respected his fellow officers and showed care to the soldiers who worked with him in the office or in the battlefront. He moved with the general public, whether Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers or any other community. He did not give false promises to soldiers or to the public and always worked to ensure the safety of the people, especially, during the war days. He led from the front to ensure the security of all living in the border villages, not only Sinhala, but Tamil and Muslim villages as well. Hence, he was an extremely popular and respected person among the people and was known as the People’s General.
Dr. Janaka Goonethilake Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist / Researcher / historian and author describes General Kobbekaduwa as a true descendant of the great Meegastenna Adigar one of the bravest, compassionate and most loved Disava of the Kandyan Kingdom.
Therefore, I will give a brief description of these great personalities who lived in Sri Lanka. As per records of Laurie’s Gazette two centuries ago there was a person called Dumbara Rajakaruna Seneviratne Abeykoon Mudaliyar who held high office in the Kandyan Kingdom and was extremely faithful and close to the King. He fought a battle against the Dutch and defeated the invading forces. Hence, the King rewarded him with property in the Dumbara Valley of the Kandyan Kingdom. Abeykoon Mudaliyar had two sons, namely, Meegastenne Adigar Snr.and Megastenne Adigar Jnr. These two Adigars did not have sons to succeed them and the daughter who married a Ratwatte Adigar inherited the Dumbara Property.
Denzil Kobbekaduwa spent his childhood at the Amunugama Walauwa in the Gunnepana village, in the Dumbara valley, originally owned by Abeykoon Mudaliyar followed by Meegastenne Adigar. There is a story among the Buddhists that Meegastenne Adigar was reborn as Denzil Kobbekaduwa who happened to be a great military commander and a true leader.
During the 52 years you lived, you developed an untarnished image for yourself and brought recognition to the country. Your name will be written in the history books.
Your 78th birth anniversary fell on July 27, 2018, while August 8, 2018 will be 26 years since your demise. Your untimely demise resulted in the nation losing the most respected person of the last century, the Security Forces losing a great battle commander, your alma mater lost a true Trinitian, and Sri Lanka Rugby lost a great sports administrator.
Your family conducted religious ceremonies continuously for the past 26 years to bestow the merits of the Triple Gem and will continue do so in the future. Other religious leaders too have invoked their blessings on you. As a Buddhist I believe, you have inherited a Deva Athma and had the strength to provide guidance to the Sri Lankan security forces to end the war.
Certain politicians were extremely scared and feared you. In the latter part of the ‘60s you were penalised and sent on compulsory leave from the Army for chasing a politician’s underworld henchman in the Mattakkuliya area. But, you were able to command the respect of the then military leadership. You had the courage to overcome this issue and get back to the Army after three years.
During the July 1983 communal riots you wanted to control the problems at the inception itself but it did not happen. You were transferred from Army H.Q. to Taffi H.Q. in Jaffna.
The most frustrating year was in 1987 when the then political establishment knelt down to Big Brother India, betrayed the nation and stalled the Vadamaracchi Operation. I remember how annoyed you were.
At a children’s birthday party some said, if the politicians are not doing their job the Army should take over the country. Your instant reply was that officers of the then Sri Lanka Army are not capable to rule a four decade old democratic nation, and if some officer opted to do so he would end up in disaster and be disgraced.
We as Buddhists know even Lord Buddha had certain people like Deva Dattha and Chinchimanavika who wanted to disgrace Lord Buddha. Similarly there were some who wanted to disgrace one of the most respected commanders Sri Lanka had at that time. They even went to the extent of leaking out battle plans to the media before the operations were carried out.The conspirators who planned the bomb blast are still not identified.
This year we are in the process of collecting short tributes to compile a note book to be handed over to your family, Trinity College Archives and the Defence establishment libraries so that it will be a reading material for future leaders of Sri Lanka.
A few sentiments expressed are mentioned below:
Denzil, the team captain, stood up for me when a senior master tried to prevent me from playing for Trinity saying that at 15, I was too young. However I played thanks to Denzil. Denzil demonstrated his outstanding leadership qualities even as a schoolboy.
Jayantha Jayewardene, Trinity Rugby captain 1961
I would like to single out one person that we all had an association with, I allude to a man of distinction, resolve and pride; I refer to the late Lt. General Denzil Kobbekaduwa. Denzil was our coach, in my case the Captain of the Kandy Sports Club that I along with Shafi, Sam, D.M.Bala and Iswan were fortunate to be a part of while still at school, and then progress to the Clifford Cup final. We may have been the first school boys to have this honour, I am not completely sure, I can stand corrected.
Denzil was Sandhurst-trained, leadership was instilled in him, and I considered him as a mate, a great coach, a great person and above all, a team man with his charges foremost in his consideration. He demonstrated this attribute on numerous occasions.
Fred Prins, presently domiciled in Australia
Soldiering under him was challenging, but not disappointing. He was a gentleman warrior and a wonderful comrade in arms. It was a privilege to have served under him. Above all, General Denzil was a shining example of a fine human being. He is gone, but not forgotten.
May He Attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.
Brigadier (Retd) Sri Mudannayake S.L. Army.
I agree with the sentiments expressed by many that General Denzil Kobbekaduwa was a role model to the armed services.
I realized the role he played in the war that killed Sri Lankans of two communities due to an ethnic divide. He was a General who mixed love and affection to both communities effected during the war along with performing his duties as an Army General. If we had a few more Army personnel like him reconciliation can be achieved without a problem. God takes away the good early.
Selvadurai Sivapathasuntharam, Attorney-at-Law.
Finally, I have to mention that all good things come to an end. Your name will be in the hearts of the people of Sri Lanka as the People’s General. We as Buddhists believe in Karma. All the good deeds carried out by any one will reap the benefits during our journey in Sansara.
It will be the opposite for people who get carried away by doing wrong. Every action has a reaction. We all know you lived a simple life. As a close associate of you I know that on the fatal day your bank account balance may have been less than Rs. 1,000. But you were able to carry a lot of Pin (blessings) to your next birth.
May I take this opportunity to say a big thank you for all the guidance given to me since I considered you as my role model.
May your journey in Sansara be a pleasant one till you achieve Nirvana.
Sunil Keppetipola
Kalubowila, Dehiwela