War and national hero who was loved by all

Born in Kandy on July 27, 1940, the second child of Loku Bandara and Iona Ratwatte Kobbekaduwa, Denzil Kobbekaduwa grew up at the Deldeniya walauwa (his paternal residence) of Deldeniya village in Menikdiwela, Kadugannawa and Amunugama Walauwa (maternal residence) at Amunugama village, close to Kandy.

Denzil had his nursery education at Hillwood College, Kandy. In 1948, he entered Trinity College, Kandy, where he excelled in studies and sports. He developed his leadership qualities at school and was a role model to many. I had the privilege to associate with Denzil from my childhood days. We, his close cousins, looked up to him as a hero and role model.

He completed the GCE (OL) examination and the HSC (university entrance examination). His performance in sports was excellent. He represented Trinity in rugby, hockey and cricket. He captained the Trinity 1st XV in 1959 and was awarded the Trinity Lion. He was vice-captain of the Trinity hockey team in 1959, and was awarded the college colours. He also represented the Trinity 1st XI cricket team. He was also an athlete and a basketball player.

Denzil was made a school prefect of Lemuel House in 1960, and the same year was appointed Senior Prefect of Trinity. However, this appointment lasted only a week because Denzil opted to pursue a career with the Sri Lanka Army (formerly the Ceylon Army). He was enlisted as an officer cadet and posted to Diyatalawa for his initial three months’ training before leaving for a two-year officer training programme at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK. This prevented him from qualifying for the coveted Ryde Gold Medal for the best all round student of Trinity College in 1960. As a result, an academic career at the University of Peradeniya, to which he had gained entry, had to be abandoned.

I clearly remember the day his family members came down to Colombo and gathered at the harbour to say bon voyage before Denzil boarded ship to the UK. At that time, it was a three-week ocean voyage. Some of us accompanied him on board. The ship was named “Carthage”.

Denzil returned to Sri Lanka (Ceylon) in mid-1962 and assumed duties as a Lieutenant in the Armoured Corps Regiment of the Sri Lanka (Ceylon) Army. He had a very successful stint with the regiment, and also represented the Army Sports Club in rugby for the Clifford Cup tourna- ment.

In 1964, Denzil left for his second overseas training, at Bovington Military Academy in the UK. He completed the six-month programme and returned to his regiment, the Armoured Crops.

Denzil commanded the respect of his superiors, peers, and subordinates. His honest contribution at work was appreciated by all his fellow soldiers, but not by certain politicians of the then government in 1967. He became an unfortunate victim of a politically manoeuvered drama, for which he, along with several other officers, were sent on compulsory leave pending investigation. During this period, he spent his entire time in Kandy with his family, and helped the Kandy Sports Club produce a formidable rugby outfit. He was captain of the Kandy Sports Club in 1969, and they were runners-up to the CR&FC at the Clifford Cup A division tournament. He also captained the upcountry combined clubs team and represented the All Ceylon Team ( Sri Lanka ) against French and British top division clubs.

Denzil did not forget his alma mater, and was involved in coaching the Trinity 1st XV outfits in 1968, 1969 and 1970. He helped Trinity to produce Bradby Shield winning and league champion teams. Due to his honest efforts, he commanded the respect of all communities in Kandy and the surrounding areas, and the rugby circles in Colombo and up-country.

While playing rugby for the Kandy Sports Club, he met Lalini Ratwatte, younger daughter of Kenneth and Merle Ratwatte. The friendship blossomed into a healthy love affair and they were married in December 1970. Lalini was a tower of strength to Denzil, and an understanding wife who supported Denzil to a great extent in developing his career in the Army and building a healthy relationship with family, friends and relations.

With the change of the government in 1970, Denzil was exonerated of the charges and reinstated in his post as Captain, and later Major. He was put in charge of security for the then head of state, Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, and was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel. While playing an active role in the Sri Lanka Army, Denzil continued to coach and play rugby for the Sri Lanka Army and the Defence Services. In 1973/74, he was appointed as secretary to the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union. That year, the first ever Rugby Asiad was held in Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka came second, after Japan.

In the latter part of 1974, Denzil was selected to attend the prestigious British Army Staff College Military Academy, Camberly, Surrey in the UK, for one year. On his return, he was once again back at his old regiment, the Armoured Corps, for some time and was posted to the Officer Cadet Training School at the military academy in Diyatalawa. Family and friends were regular visitors at his bungalow. He then moved to Army Headquarters in Colombo and served at the operations desk. His next posting was in Jaffna, to serve in the Task Force AntiIllicit Immigration (TaFAII). During this period, he grew familiar with the terrain of the Jaffna peninsula.

After his stint at the TaFAII headquarters in Jaffna, he was once again back at the operations desk at Army headquarters before moving to the Armoured Corps as commanding officer. In 1989, he left for another military training, at the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS). However, with the change in the political leadership, the then government was not too happy about Denzil being given this prestigious training, and made him return prematurely.

But due to pressure from sponsors and the UK Government he was allowed to go back to complete his training in the UK. Denzil was then appointed Commander of the Western Command, and was stationed at the Panagoda cantonment, holding the rank of Major General.

When the Eelam war started in the Eastern Province, Denzil was sent as overall operations commander. During his short stay in the Eastern Province, he was able to contain the LTTE offensive to a great extent. But when the Northern Province came under heavy attack, he was moved to the Northern Province as overall operations commander based at the Palaly cantonment in the Jaffna peninsula.

He led his troops from the front and fought many battles. The Vadamarachchi operation, “Operation Balavegaya” beach landing to save the Elephant Pass security forces camp (scene of the soldier legend Minipe Kularatne’s heroic act) , and the evacuation of the security forces from the Jaffna fort, are a few of the many operations he led.

His last security council meeting as Northern Commander was in Colombo in early August 1992. The Head of State presided at the meeting. Denzil expressed his frank views with regard to the security situation in the North. He wanted to continue the LTTE neutralising operation. Denzil and a team of elite officers gave their lives to the nation on August 8, 1992, at Aralai Point, Jaffna.

His death was a great loss to his family, relatives, the Sri Lanka Army and other security forces, and to the nation. I was closely associated with Denzil for more than 40 years, and his loss was to me unimaginable. How much more so must it have been to his family, relatives, friends and fellow soldiers.

Well, Denzil. July 27, 2012, was your 72nd birth anniversary and August 8, 2012 will be your 20th death anniversary. Your family continues to bestow on you the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem with religious ceremonies that have been held, without a break, for the last 20 years.

We will continue to remember you. Your name will be written in the history books so that future generations will know that you were a born soldier, a true leader loved by all except for a few, that you were ever willing to play a supportive role and guide them. Your contribution to your alma mater is immeasurable, to the sporting bodies in schools and clubs enormous, and your contribution to the religious institutions of all faiths was accepted by all. To Sri Lanka, and especially the people in the North and East border villages, your services are appreciated by all.

We salute you, Denzil, and accept you as a true general and a person with a golden heart. In appreciation of your services to the nation, medals and gallantry awards have been given to you by the Sri Lanka Army, politicians, and the head of state. But your greatest award comes from the people of Sri Lanka, who honour you as their hero.

Denzil’s wife Lalini singlehandedly brought up their three children, Roshani, Shanilka and Dilshan, enabling them to grow up as true Sri Lankan citizens and as professionals. This was Denzil’s wish. And Lalini, you will be rewarded by your children in the years to come.

Thank you, Denzil, for the guidance you gave and the supportive role you played in my life for close on 40 years. As one of your close associates and a true Trinitian, you helped me move forward in life.

“Respice finem” – look to the end. May you attain Nirvana.

Sunil Keppetipola