Ranaviru Felicitation Ceremony in Maliyadeva Vidyalaya
Kurunegala Maliyadeva Vidyalaya under the patronage of its Old Boys'
Association is making arrangements to hold a 'Ranaviru Felicitation
Ceremony, at the college on July 17 and the chief guest on this occasion
will be the Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Mrs. Rajapaksa.
The school situated at Kurunegala-Negombo road is considered the one
and only Buddhist Educational Institute in Wayamba that came into being
as a result of the then Buddhist Renaissance in the country.
Maliyadeva college hall building |
The participation of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to
illuminate this felicitation ceremony which is being held in
appreciation of the outstanding contributions made by the war heroes of
this college in the humanitarian operation carried out by tri-forces and
police to liberate the North and East from the LTTE terrorism under the
leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is itself a great honour
shown towards the war heroes of this Maliyadeva College.
Kurunegala Maliyadeva has produced the largest number of war heroes
in the Sri Lanka Army. Despite the fact that there had been several
Maliyadeva boys who had served in various positions in the tri-forces
and police upto now, the first to join as a cadet officer of the Army in
1966 was W.R.B. Ratnayake. Major General Kempitiya also joined the
forces as a cadet officer in 1959.
In 1970, P.S.P. Munasinghe joined the army as a cadet officer and
after several years of active service, retired as a major general and
entered into politics and became the Speaker of Parliament during the
tenure of former President Chandrika Kumarathunge.
Major Generals namely Sunil Thennekoon, Ivon Dassanayake and Neomal
Palipana who were the products of this college joined the force in 1971.
Major General Ananda Hamangoda, Major General Neomal Palipana and
Colonel Buddhadasa suddenly lost to us while they were engaged in
military operations. They are indeed the valiant soldiers amongst us.
Major General Upali Edirisinghe joined the service in 1973 while Major
General V.R. Silva in 1974 followed by Major General Asoka Thoradeniya
in 1976.
Sunil Thennekoon who commanded three divisions was the Commander of
Division 55 after the Elephant Pass Battle in 2000. He as General
Officer Commanding led the battle to protect the Jaffna Peninsula from
the terrorists. He had also contributed to the establishment of the
Military Intelligence Unit and had also served as Security Forces
Commander of Jaffna. Major General Upali Edirisinghe had served as G.O.C.
of 11 division, as Security Forces Commander of Vanni and also as
Regimental Commander.
Major General V.R. Silva had served as G.O.C. of 55 and 11 divisions,
as Director-operations of Joint Operation Command. After retirement he
is serving as Prisons Commissioner at present.
Major General Asoka Thoradeniya had served as Regimental Commander of
Sri Lanka Military Police and after retirement, is currently holding the
position of Chairman of Sri Lanka Petroleum Corporations. Major General
Dayan Ratnayake joined the forces as a cadet officer in 1980 and became
an illustrious soldier by bagging 07 Awards for Bravery from five
Presidents.
He had experience in wide areas such as combat, staff, training,
intelligence, psychology and also in press briefing etc in military
sector. He as General Officer-Commanding of the 23 division had led the
operations in Wakare and Thoppigala areas. At present, Major General
Daya Ratnayake is serving as Commander-Security Forces in Charge of
Maintenance areas in Jaffna. |