The 32nd death anniversary of Hasalaka War Hero, Corporal Gamini Kularathna (PWV) falls on July 14, 2023.
He was a brave soldier who made the supreme sacrifice during the Elephant Pass battle. Corporal Kularathna was posthumously awarded the highest decoration a soldier could earn, the Parama Weera Vibushana medal after he attempted to stop an explosive laden LTTE armoured bulldozer which attempted to blow up the Elephant Pass Camp on July 14, 1991. By this act he saved the lives of nearly 800 Army personnel.
He was born on September 22,1966 as the second son of a family of four brothers and a sister. His father was U.B.Babanis who passed away in 1980. His mother was K.B. Julliet.
Gamini receved his primary education at Ranasinghe Premadasa Madya Maha Vidyalaya, Hasalaka. He joined the Army in 1987 as a rifleman of the Sinha Regiment.
Two monuments of this War Hero have been built, one is at Hasalaka and the other is at Elephant Pass.
A special memorial called “Corporal Gamini Kularathna Souvenir Gallery” has been set up at the Elephant Pass army site as a mark of respect to the War Hero.
Those who visit Jaffna never fail to visit this Souvenir Gallery. Photographs depicting events connected with Gamini’s life are displayed here. Some of the letters written by him to his mother are also displayed here. The remnants of the bulldozer also can be seen at the premises.
