Updated: 11 February, 2008
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A web-site dedicated to three projects that I am currently researching. The purpose of this web-site is to let people know of my projects and to obtain information, input and feedback from them. |
Foundation for Civilian Bravery (Award and list of recipients) (Mar 02)
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The Nation pays tribute to those who protect our tomorrow in glittering ceremony Sri Lanka Army Website Jul 02 |
SL police officers awarded UN Peace Keeping medals Thirty eight Sri Lankan Police Officers who contributed their services to build up East Timor, the first nation to declare independence in the new millennium, received United Nations Medal at a ceremony held recently in East Timor. Sri Lankan Police Officers who received UN Peace Keeping Medals are: ASP Asela Samarasekera, Chief Inspectors Wijetissa Divelgama, Jayalal Aponso, W. Rajapaksa, M. Gunthilaka and Bandara Herath. Inspectors Asoka Peiris, A. Seneviratne, Noel Abeyratne, Nandana Ranaweera, Lalith Kiriella, J. Poddalgoda, A. Sooriyabandara, Udaya de Silva, Prasanna de Alwis, A. Gunaratne, Kumara Mutunayake, S. Vithanage, Janaka Seneviratne, Nipuna Dehigama, Hemantha Lakshmiwewa, L.H. Wimalasena, W. Nissanka, Hemantha de Silva, D. Gurusinghe, Percy Perera, Indunil Sibera, Pradeep Ratnayake, Dayal Illangakoon, Sena de Alwis, Mangala Tennakoon, Dunstan Dassanayake, T.A.Z. Alibah, Athula de Silva and K.A. Wilson, Sub Inspectors Parakrama de Silva, P. Jayatissa and M. Dharmasena. Daily News, Sri Lanka - 13 Mar 2003
Centenary medal for Prof. Ratnapala Professor Suri Ratnapala has been awarded a Centenary Medal by the Governor-General of Australia for service to Australian Society through his writings in the fields of law and economics. The awards announced on ANZAC Day commemorate the Centenary of the Australian Federation. Prof. Ratnapala is recognised for his ground-breaking studies on the constitutional underpinnings of market economies and on the evolution of legal institutions. In 1991, he received the Sir Anthony Fisher International Memorial Award for his book Welfare State or Constitutional State? from a jury chaired by Nobel Laureate Economist James Buchanan. Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka - 10 May 2003
Ven. Galayaye Piyadassi in Queen's Birthday Honours list Daily News, Sri Lanka - 17 Jun 2003
Civilian Bravery Foundation celebrates 10th anniversary The Civilian Bravery Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary with an awards ceremony to commemorate many men and women who risked their lives to save others last year. The event, which has honoured 265 heroes in the decade and grows in stature each year, is an opportunity to recognise ordinary people who, although having done extraordinarily brave acts, might otherwise go unnoticed. The most prestigious award of the event, the Gold Medal of Civilian Bravery, went to D.V. Lasantha Buddika who was tragically killed last year whilst protecting a woman and her child from thieves. Lasantha, a 25-year- old bachelor from Bentota, was returning home by bus on the evening of September 11th, 2002 from the garment factory where he worked as a quality controller. Fellow passenger Ranjani Hemalatha and her child asked him to accompany them along a dark road. When Ranjani was attacked by a gang who tried to rob her purse, Lasantha stepped forward to protect her. The gangsters stabbed him in the abdomen and throat, fatally wounding him, whilst Ranjani escaped relatively unhurt. Daily News, Sri Lanka 11 Jul 03
Gold medal to rescuer who gave his life Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka 12 Jul 03
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Kottegoda appointed Army Commander Major General Shantha Kottegoda has been appointed Commander of the Sri Lanka Army by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. During his career in the Army, he was decorated with several Gallantry Medals including Weera Wickrama Vibushana, Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Rana Sura Padakkama, Uttama Seva Padakkama, Purna Bhumi Padakkama and Vadmarachchi Operation Medal. dailynews.lk 28 Jun 04 |
Civilian Bravery Awards for three Three civilians who risked their lives to save the lives of others on different occasions were honoured with Civilian Bravery Awards by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse. Among the persons honoured at a ceremony organised by the Foundation for Civilian Bravery in Sri Lanka were three individuals from different walks of life including a teacher who jumped into a fire to save a student of his school, a youngster who saved 21 people caught in the Southern floods and a three-wheeler driver who sacrificed his life in saving two women drowning in the sea near Galle Face.Prime Minister Rajapakse awarded the Gold medal of Civilian Bravery to Channa Darshana Ranatunga, a teacher of the Wennappuwa Anuruddha Vidyalaya while the Silver Medal was received by H. A Punyawardene, an unemployed youth. Another special award for the bravery of Basil Fernando who died saving two drowning women was received by his wife Anoma Nishanthi. dailynews.lk 9 Jul 04
"Chandrika and Ranil - NGO puppets" Retired Brigadier Hiran Halangoda decried both the UPFA and UNP regimes for demoralizing the armed forces, which he said had always received scant attention from Sri Lanka’s ruling circles in contrast to those of other terrorism-hit countries. Politicization of the armed forces had badly affected national security. “Defence is the least priority in this country,” lamented the Brigadier. “Our governments have continuously followed the path of least resistance – which is no way to win a war.” Brigadier Halangoda who won the Rana Wickrema and Rana Sura medals for gallantry has trained around 250 officers and more of other ranks. asiantribune.com 31 Jul 05
Kadirgamar to be honoured with the title of 'Sri Lankabhimanaya' Late Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar will be posthumously decorated with Sri Lanka's highest national honour, the title of 'Sri Lankabhimanaya'. World renowned science fiction writer Sri Arthur C. Clarke will also be honoured with the same title. He has long been a distinguished resident guest in Sri Lanka. Several senior public servants including former Secretary to President Premadasa K.H.J. Wijeyadasa and Mr. Bradman Weerakoon, who served as Secretary to several Prime Ministers, will be conferred the national honour of Desamanya. Among the others who will receive this honour are Mr. M.D.D. Peiris who was also Secretary to Mrs. Bandaranaike, former Defence Secretary Chandananda de Silva whose nomination to be Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Canada was rejected by the Ottawa government, former IGP Cyril Herath and surgeon Dr. A.H. Sheriffdeen. Controversial businessman Harry Jayawardena and many more will also be conferred the Desamanya award. Three former service commanders - Admiral Basil Gunasekera, Lt. Gen. Dennis Perera and Air Vice Marshal Paddy Mendis - will also be honoured with the same title. colombopage.com 13 Nov 05
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Lt. General G S C Fonseka - new commander of SL Army Lieutenant General G S C Fonseka RWP RSP rcds psc has been appointed the Commander of the Army in Sri Lanka. Widely admired as one of the great battle-hardened warriors of our times, Lieutenant General G. S. C Fonseka has served largely as an illustrious infantry soldier in the northern theatre of war during his exemplary career, particularly at the peak of Tamil Tiger terrorism. His awards and decorations include the Gallantry Medals, Rana Wickrema Padakkama (RWP), Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP), Riviresa Campaign Service Medal, Poorna Bhoomi Padakkama, North & East Operations Medal, Desha Puthra Sammanaya and several others. asiantribune.com 6 Dec 05 |
France honours Lankan journalist The French government has conferred the Chevalier Order of Merit on the well-known Sri Lankan journalist Amal Jayasinghe for his outstanding contribution to journalism in the island. He has been with Agence France Presse (AFP) for the past two decades, and had earlier served Daily News, the most widely read English language newspaper in Sri Lanka. hindustantimes.com 13 Feb 06
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Lt Gen Parami Kulathunge’s Funeral On Wednesday Major GeneraL Parami Kulathunge RSP USP USAWC, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army is no more. He was the latest Senior Officer of the Armed Forces to fall prey to an LTTE (Tamil Tigers) suicide bomber Monday (26) morning at about 7.50 a.m. The suicide bomber’s explosive-laden motorbike rammed into the official vehicle of Major General Kulatunge near Pannipitiya junction, as it was proceeding towards Colombo during the morning rush hour. Several gallantry medals and decorations including Ranasura Padakkama (RSP), Riviresa campaign medal, Poorna Bhumi Padakkama, North & East operational medals, Desha Puthra medal and a few other medals were awarded to him in appreciation of his dedication and commitment to the service. asiantribune.com 27 Jun 06 |
Sri Lankan Brigadier awarded with US Legion of Merit Medal The US Legion of Merit Medal was presented to Brigadier Rohan M. Jayasinghe of the Sri Lankan Army. Brig. Jayasinghe has obtained the rank of ‘Officer’ in the Legion of Merit for his service as Sri Lankan Defense, Military, Naval, and Air Attaché to the United States from 2003 to 2005. colombopage.com 20 Jun 06
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Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara Take Over Duties as the New Chief Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara RWP,USP,ndc,psc assumed duties as the Chief Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy. Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara was educated at Ananda College, Colombo and enlisted as an Officer Cadet in the Sri Lanka Navy on 01st August 1971. After successfully completing his basic Cadet training at the Naval and Maritime Academy, he was commissioned in the rank of A/Sub Lieutenant on 01st August 1975 and promoted to his present rank on 01st January in the year 2001. Whilst in the Navy,Rear Admiral Weerasekara held numerous appointments as First Squadron Commander of the Fast Attack Craft Flotilla, Commander southern Naval Area, Commander Eastern Naval Area and Commander Northern Naval Area. Thereafter he was appointed Director Naval Administration and Welfare, Director Naval Projects and Plan, Director General Operations and Deputy Chief of Staff. He has attended both operational and administrative courses. In India, Rear Admiral Weerasekara specialized in Gunnery and thereafter completed a one year Staff course at the Naval War College, Rhode Island, USA. He has also attended a course on Security Studies at the Asia Pacific Centre,Honolulu, Hawaii and at the National Defence College in New Delhi, India. Rear Admiral Weerasekara has been the recipient of the Ranawickrama gallantry medal (RWP), the Uttama Seva Medal (USP), the North and East Operational Medal and the “Riviresa” Campaign Service medal. nationalsecurity.lk 17 Jul 06 |
Carnegie Hero Fund inspires bravery awards in Sri Lanka Kasun Chandraratne's dream began 15 years ago when he bought a used issue of Reader's Digest on a Sri Lankan street. Reading a story of a 9-year-old Idaho girl who saved her father after a horse-riding accident, Chandraratne thought selfless acts of bravery needed to be recognized in his island nation in the grips of a bloody civil war. So he sought counsel, help and inspiration from one organization with plenty of experience in honoring acts of civilian heroism - the Carnegie Hero Fund Chandraratne, 58, now an appellate attorney, created the Foundation for Civilian Bravery in Sri Lanka with advisory, but no monetary, help from the Carnegie Hero Fund. "They were the inspirational element," Chandraratne said in a telephone interview from his home in Panadura, Sri Lanka. Hero Fund Commission Executive Director Walter F. Rutkowski sent Chandraratne the Pittsburgh group's bylaws, awards certificates, annual reports, deed of trust, news releases and other printed material. Eleven countries have Carnegie Hero Funds. Chandraratne's group, though inspired by the Carnegie groups, isn't associated with them. Chandraratne began his foundation 13 years ago by putting 1,000 rupees - about $9.60, according to current currency rates - into its trust. Fifty people attended the first awards ceremony. Last year, thanks to corporate and private donations, he had 2.1 million rupees - about $20,200 - to spend on the project. He expects about 1,000 people at this October's ceremony.Unlike the Hero Fund, which issues its awards five times per year, the Foundation for Civilian Bravery's board issues its awards - gold medal, silver medals and letters of commendation - annually. Last year, the gold medal winner got 10,000 rupees - about $96; the silver medal came with 5,000 rupees. centredaily.com 4 Aug 06
Sri Lankan bravery award for Pakistani man As Pakistan observes the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake, a valiant resident of this ruined mountainous town prepares for a journey to Colombo later this month to receive from a Sri Lankan non-governmental organisation a medal for saving several lives during the region's worst-ever natural disaster. But when Gul Javid, the nominee for the Gold Medal for Asia by the Foundation of Civilian Bravery, was bringing out trapped persons one after the other from beneath heaps of earth and concrete on October 8 last year, he did not have the slightest idea that his selfless efforts would someday be acknowledged and rewarded by an organisation based in an island nation, hundreds of miles away. gulf-times.com 9 Sep 06
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Admiral Tennakoon, new Navy Chief of Staff The President has appointed Rear Admiral Wasantha Tennakoon as the new Chief of Staff of the Navy with effect from May 21. Rear Admiral Tennakoon joined the Sri Lanka Navy on August 20, 1973 as an Officer Cadet. Rising through the ranks for almost 32 years, he was elevated to the rank of Rear Admiral on March 8, 2005. He has held the posts of Deputy Chief of Staff, Director General Services, Director Naval Welfare and Administration, Commander Northern, North Central, Southern Naval Areas, and Squadron Commander, Fast Attack Craft Flotilla and commanded many ships and shore establishments in the Navy. He has been awarded with twelve medals during his career for distinguished service, merit and campaigns, including the Rana Soora Padakkama (RSP) twice for gallantry. navy.lk 15 Jun 07 |
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President confers Gallantry Honours on Naval Heroes His Excellency the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mahinda Rajapaksha conferred gallantry honours on three hundred personnel from the tri services, Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force. During the Gallantry Awards ceremony, “Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya” (WWV), “Rana Wickrama Padakkama” (RWP) and “Rana Sura Padakkama” (RSP) were conferred on the recipients. Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya is conferred as a reward for individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of a military nature of a high order in the face of the enemy, performed voluntarily whilst on active service without regard for his own security with the objective of safeguarding thereby the lives of his comrades or facilitating the operational aim of his force or for a meritorious act or a series of acts of a human nature of high order displayed in saving life from drowning, fire and rescue operations in mines, floods and similar calamities under circumstances of bodily injury or danger to the life of the rescuer. Rana Wickrama Padakkama is awarded as a reward for individual or associated acts of bravery in the face of the enemy and performed voluntarily. Rana Sura Padakkama is awarded as a reward for individual acts of distinguished conduct in the face of the enemy. One hundred and twenty-five (125) personnel of the Sri Lanka Navy received gallantry medals at the ceremony. Among them were eight (08) recipients of Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya, thirty-one (31) recipients of Rana Wickrama Padakkama and eighty-six (86) recipients of Rana Sura Padakkama. navy.lk 24 Jan 08 |
