Plus

Plus

Saluting everyday heroes
By Marisa de Silva
"Don't worry aunty, I'll make sure you get home safe and sound" were sons of the last words uttered by 25-year-old D.V. Lasantha Buddika to Ranjini Hemalatha, 46. Minutes later, the young man sacrificed his life to save her hard-earned day's wages from robbers.

The Civilian Bravery Awards Ceremony, organized by the Foundation for Civilian Bravery, was held on July 9, at the Sausiripaya auditorium in Battaramulla. This ceremony, which felicitates civilians who risk their lives to save others, was being held for the tenth consecutive year.

Atorney General K.C. Kamalasabayson P.C. was the Chief Guest.
Lasantha's parents attended the ceremony to accept the Gold Medal for Civilian Bravery awarded to him by the Foundation and honour the memory of their son who died a hero's death. Lasantha was an 'everyday hero', the deciding factor between life and death for Ranjini.

Having befriended Ranjini on the bus, on that fateful night of September 11, last year, he was told that she was afraid of being robbed of her day's earnings, as she lived in an unsafe neighbourhood. He had promised that he would accompany her home, thus allaying her fears.

Having come within a few metres of her home in Boralukatiya, Haburugala, Ranjini had insisted that he leave her, as he too needed to get back home. She had told him she would shout for him if she ran into any trouble. Unfortunately for him, this did in fact happen, and before he knew it, he was involved in a violent fight with two hoodlums.
Although well versed in martial arts, Lasantha was slashed both in the stomach and neck, injuries which resulted in his untimely death.

The Silver Medals for Civilian Bravery were awarded jointly to H.M. Dinesh Padmakumara, K. Premalal Silva and K. Edward Perera who risked their lives to save a family whose car had plunged into the Dandugam Oya, Ja ela, on October 14, 2002. On seeing the drivers lose control of the car on the bridge and dip into the water, the three friends had dived into the crocodile infested, muddy waters.

After having rescued the man and child, they had asked if there were any others in the vehicle. Hearing the desperate pleas of the man that his wife was still in the rapidly sinking car they had gone into the water again and brought her to safety.

W.A. Jayaweera, a lorry driver from Lunuwila received a Letter of Commendation for Civilian Bravery for driving his blazing truck away from the town and into a river. The fire had started among the load of coconut husks in his truck which easily have blown up. His bravery in driving it away from the village averted a major accident.

Civilian Bravery Student Awards were presented to students from Ananda College, Nalanda College, Richmond College and Don Bosco College, Wattala for saving people from drowning. A special award went to H.P. Danushka Prasanna Jayawardhana for saving the most number of people. Service Awards for fire fighting and Appreciation Awards to all those who helped with the organization of this event too were presented.

Back to Plus