Army to make Kobbekaduwa proud

THE Sri Lankan civil war destroyed generations of lives and left wounds that remain unhealed to this day. The brutality of the final phase of the war, particularly during its last five months, left a deep scar not only on the victims but also on the image of the military. Allegations of war crimes, civilian casualties, and a glaring absence of accountability still hang over the institution, tarnishing what could have been an unambiguous narrative of sacrifice.

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Yet, amidst this shadow, the courage and dedication of over 28,000 security forces personnel who died in service cannot, and should not, be diminished. They gave their lives for a cause larger than themselves, and their sacrifices deserve a place in our collective memory. Among them, General Denzil Kobbekaduwa stands as one of the most respected figures - a soldier whose legacy offers lessons desperately needed today.

Kobbekaduwa's death in 1992, caused by a landmine explosion in Araly Point, was a symbolic loss for a country yearning for principled leadership in war. He was a rare figure in a conflict where humanity was too often eroded by violence. His reputation was built not only on his strategic skill but on his empathy for his soldiers and for civilians caught in the crossfire. He understood that a military, even in wartime, must be guided by discipline, dignity, and restraint.