Hasalaka hero honoured in Elephant Pass

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE in Elephant Pass

A ceremony to felicitate Hasalaka hero Corporal Gamini Kularathne was held in Elephant Pass where he sacrificed his life.

Corporal Kularathne’s mother Y. G. Juliet was also felicitated at this ceremony.

The ceremony was organized on President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s instructions.

Corporal Kularathne of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment sacrificed his life on July 13, 1999. LTTE terrorists had tried to overrun the Elephant Pass Army camp belonging to the 6th Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment on July 13, 1999 at around 2.30 a.m. The terrorists had planned to explode the Elephant Pass camp by blasting a truck laden with explosives. Corporal Kularathne had gone forward with hand grenades and blasted the truck sacrificing his life. In recognition of this act of supreme gallantry, the highest decoration a soldier can earn, the Parama Weera Vibushana Medal was awarded by President Rajapaksa making Corporal Kularathne the first recipient of this gallantry award.

Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake said Corporal Kularathne sacrificed his life for the motherland symbolising his bravery.

The Central Province organised this felicitation ceremony on President Rajapaksa’s advice. President Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister then had promised Corporal Kularatne’s mother to make arrangements for her to visit Elephant Pass where her son sacrificed his life. “This is another fulfilment of the promise. We are accompanying Corporal Kularathne’s mother and his family members to the exact place where he sacrificed his life,” Chief Minister Ekanayake added.

Religious activities followed the felicitation ceremony.