30 years ago, on 8th August 1992 , a bomb that exploded in an Army Land Rover at Araly Point took away a man, an intrepid officer, a gentleman and more importantly, a true friend. Denzil Kobbekaduwa was a distinguished General . As everyone knew , he always led from the front. He was knowledgeable, daring and popular and these were never in doubt. His tours of duty in the Army’s Northern Command would surely have made him aware of what the peace-loving people in the country needed and expected on the one hand; and on the other, what options were available to be pursued by political authority and defence forces if the LTTE ‘s intransigence could not be overcome by dialogue..
Denzil was conscious that the well-being and fundamental rights of the defenceless civilian and the unarmed LTTE cadre in custody , were the responsibility of the State. His sense of fair play, learnt on the rugby fields of Trinity College, simply exuded from him, and would certainly have earned for the Defence Establishment every chance of a speedy and just resolution of a totally unnecessary conflict. But this was not to be after that fateful day in Kayts.
Denzil, especially after reaching Flag Rank emphasized the need to prevent those who have suffered because of the conflict, from being further trodden upon. If not for his untimely demise, we may have perhaps been able to see him pave the way for all Sri Lankans to extend their hand of friendship to one another and more importantly, to convince the leaders of this country and the LTTE that all the money wasted on weapons of destruction, can be used for the welfare of all people alike, in the north, south, east and west
Many hundreds of appreciations, editorials and articles about this very inspiring soldier, exemplary officer, outstanding sportsman, efficient sports administrator, devoted husband, loving father and genuine friend have already been recorded and scripted. In his name, a Trust fund was established for the welfare of soldiers and their families and schools and roads were name after him..
There are another facets of this good, simple, lovable, mild-mannered person, playful man who had a puckish sense of humour who showed genuine concern for the young and the feeble – qualities no doubt inherited from and nurtured by his gracious parents and dutifully sustained after marriage by his wife, Lali.
A fine sportsman and a distinguished product of Trinity College Kandy , Denzil excelled at Rugby . He later played for Kandy SC and the Army and it was through Rugby that we met. In 1972, Denzil was the Hony Secretary of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union. When he was selected by the Army for training in the UK, he suggested to the late Mark Bostock, (President SLRFU -1972) that I succeed him. After Mark phoned me, I sought and obtained the approval of Air Force Commander, Paddy Mendis to accept this post, which I held for two years till 1974 — the year of the 3rd Rugby Asiad, when Sri Lanka entered the final and emerged runners-up to Japan, an achievement made possible , without doubt, by the exemplary leadership and discipline of Summa Navaratnam (President SLRFU -1974), late SB Pilapitiya (Manager/Coach) , assisted by the late inimitable Bertie Dias, Indrajith Coomaraswamy (Captain) and Denzil. Denzil, who had just returned to the Island helped me at the SLRFU Secretariat, along with former Air Force rugby stalwart Sqn Ldr Shantha Mendis.
In the late 1970’s, Denzil was with the Army Training Centre at Diyatalawa. He and his family were always welcome visitors to the Air Force Camp. He relaxed with his wife and children in the well laid out childrens’ park, or dropped in to play basketball, tennis or squash, go boating or visit the Air Force officers on the Station – Chrysantha de Alwis, MYC Perera, Ranjan Manukulasuriya, Mohan de Silva, Doyle Peiris, RP Atapattu and late Ravi Erampamurthy – with whom he and his family were very close. When the Station Officers decided to build a second squash court in the SLAF ( there was already one at Katunayake) out of donations they would obtain from well wishers, and from their own personal funds, a contribution of Rs. 250 (then a princely sum) was made by Major D L Kobbekaduwa,. Denzil is in the group photograph taken on the occasion when the court was declared open and any visitor to the beautifully laid out and picturesque Air Force Station at Diyatalawa today can see Denzil’s name in the Roll of Honour.
On one occasion, the Training Wing at SLAF Diyatalawa had planned a ‘training’ reconnaissance for the purpose of an exercise for Air Force Gunner Instructors. Denzil joined us. We stayed the night at the late Maxie Andrado’s residence in Hambantota. The next morning, Maxie showed us his .45 calibre “Elephant” rifle. Winking at Maxie, I sought permission to take the rifle on the recce. Denzil, being the correct serviceman he was , inquired why this weapon was needed as it was not a service issue, and that in any case we had five 7.62 calibre rifles for protection purposes. I said that maybe we would be lucky to come across and shoot the ‘loner’ rogue elephant that was causing panic among the chena cultivators and their families near the “Jafferjee Farm” at Tanamalwila. Denzil was aghast ! He stammered , ” you are a mad b…… ?” Later it dawned on him that I was only pulling his leg Such a simple, unassuming guy, was Denzil !
An amusing incident took place at ‘Bambara House, the then Sri Lanka Air Force Officers’ holiday bungalow at China bay . I had booked the bungalow and along with Denzil & Lali, Jayanstissa & Manel Ratwatte and their children, Tyronne & Charmaine Howie, Travis & Tammy de Jong, Sunil Keppitipola , my wife Rosemary & I spent a wonderful week’s holiday there. My 10 year old nephew ( now a Commander in the Sri Lanka Navy ) who also accompanied us, was trying to learn to swim by himself. Denzil observing this, tried to demonstrate the correct technique, missed a foothold and slipped and the next thing heard was a ‘plonk’ in the water. Denzil was dazed but not hurt with this ‘belly-landing’. Undeterred, he carried on his coaching lessons and over the next few days, the boy was able to swim one breadth of the pool. Many years later, this lad, as an Officer Cadet at the Royal Naval College Dartmouth, happened to meet Denzil in London – Denzil himself was on an Army Staff Course—and they had a big laugh when the young Cadet recalled the incident, after identifying himself.
Denzil liked to play hockey. On many occasions he was gladly invited to don the Air Force Station’s ‘Blue and Gold’ jersey, in friendly matches that were played on the Rendezvous Parade Ground, which was a stone’s throw from his married quarters.
When the Bishop of Badulla , the late Rt Rev Mgr Leo Nanayakkara was on a pastoral visit to the parish church and convent in Diyatalawa, his car gave trouble. The driver arranged for a “baas” in a garage in town to take a look. In the meantime, we contacted Denzil to borrow his car to take Bishop Leo back to Badulla . But, Denzil ,being Denzil, not only did he say “OK,” but volunteered to drive to Badulla himself. In the meantime he invited the Bishop to his married quarters where a sumptuous afternoon tea was served. Denzil, however, was spared the trip as the repair was fixed soon enough.
Whilst on leave in Colombo, Denzil spent most of his time with his family. It was not unusual to see the Kobbekaduwa family in their station wagon, parked in the shade by a cricket ground witnessing a match, or shopping at the Liberty Plaza on a Saturday morning, or visiting a friend or a relation for a quiet evening chat. He was a family man and this fine quality definitely influenced his way of life in the Army.
All who knew him well, loved and admired him. Those who served with him and under him, respected and trusted him. They would no doubt have specially and fondly remembered him on the 27th of July – his birthday anniversary.
An Army officer, who served under Denzil, wrote, ” General Kobbekaduwa fought bravely and relentlessly to safeguard the integrity of our country for a better tomorrow for all Sri Lankans— he was truly a man of the century .”
Indeed so!
Wg Cdr E H Ohlmus (SLAF Retd.)
(This was first published in 1982 in the Island. It is being republished in view of Gen. Kobbekaduwa’s approaching 30th death anniversary)
