The Sixth Intake of the Kotalawala Defence University (KDU) celebrates its 30th Anniversary, felicitating members who have sacrificed their lives and others who are either disabled, retired or still in service.
A batch of 116 young, curious and self-propelled lads joined Sri Lanka’s first Defence Academy on October 5, 1988. As dynamic young minds they were surely motivated by the need of the country to join the armed forces and safeguard the motherland. It was the beginning of a long and respectable profession and the process of transforming a civilian into a military personality.
“We had just felt the smell of gunpowder in the war theatre as most of our batch mates were sent to the North and East battlefront at the height of terrorism. Young officers and brave platoon commanders leading their men in the Armed Forces was the need of the country at that critical juncture.
As young commissioned officers they were present in the battlefront as infantrymen, on gun boats and warships and on board military aircraft. We take this opportunity to once again salute the late Premier, Sir John Kotalawala, the founder of KDU, our Alma Mater, past and present Commanders of the Tri Forces, military and academic staff, instructors and our parents, for making us brave sons who could significantly contribute to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our motherland,” said the Secretary of KDU Six 30th Anniversary Celebrations Steering Committee, Colonel Laksiri Perera.
This year, the Alumni of the KDU 6th Intake along with their families, pay tribute to our loving batch mates for their supreme sacrifice. Your valour and courage displayed in the battlefield is remembered forever.
We will not forget the esprit-de-corps and the wonderful memories created. The precious time you devoted for the motherland, the loyalty and faith towards the country, is supreme.
“There were 116 in our batch and it is known to be the largest ever intake in the history of KDU. It is disheartening that twelve batch mates left us laying down their precious lives in the name of Sri Lanka. Another two passed away untimely, due to tragic circumstances.
The families of the war heroes, serving and retired batch mates, friends and well-wishers will take part in a religious ceremony at the Gangarama Temple, Colombo, and a commemoration ceremony will be held to pay military tribute for fallen heroes at the War Memorial at the Parliament complex, Sri Jayawardanapura on October 4, 2018,” said the Chairman of the KDU Six 30th Anniversary celebrations Steering Committee, Retired Major Mahinda Adikari.