Fragments of War, Heart of a Lion, Brig Jalika Jayasekera

By Nilakshan Perera

My acquittance with Chula goes back to 1976, 77 where Ananda Under 15 Soccer practices had in Cambel place, Chula was a brilliant mid fielder could kick the ball from both legs, this was the advantage for him to earned a place in college teams, very dynamic player, utility and courageous with small stature. Though Chula was one year junior to me and his elder brother Roshan was my classmate, Chula always respected and admired all his brothers’ classmates. Very silent, disciplined and humble student during his college days.

Brig Jalika Jayasekera

Don Chulajathra Jalika Wickramasinghe Jayasekara was Born on 15 December 1964 to Mr. Roger Jayasekera, Senior Superintendent of Prisons, and Mrs. Jayanthi, Chula spent his childhood at the Prison Quarters until 1978. His playgrounds were the Prison grounds, Nalanda grounds and Campbell Place until Ananda College acquired its own grounds, thanks to the tireless efforts of Col. G.W. Rajapakse in December 1978.

Chula’s father regarded as one of the most distinguished Prison Superintendents discharged his duties to utmost respect and integrity.

In 1978, the family moved to their ancestral home at Wickramasinghe–Jayasekera Walauwa, Thalwatte, Kelaniya, where Chula’s proud lineage is rooted. Chula was loved by his peers and neighbours very much.

Chula joined the Sri Lanka Military Academy on 18 January 1985 as an Officer Cadet of Intake 20. I vividly recall 20 November 1985, when the Delica L-300 bearing no 20 Sri 763 carried seven of us from KDA to SLMA. We arrived around 1800 hrs, greeted by senior cadets including Cadet Sergeant Rohana Bandara, Devamitta Dissanayake, Aruna Vithanage, Prasanna Liyanagoda, Gavesh Ginige, Sanath Samarakoon, Dushantha Rajaguru and our own Chula Jayasekera.

Chula welcomed me personally and invited me to share his room until we received our own accommodation the next day. That gesture alone reflected his big heart and brotherly spirit, qualities that defined him throughout his life.

During our training, Chula displayed leadership, discipline, and unwavering punctuality. He never allowed the Intake to be punished for lateness. His small build was never a limitation to his command presence or his determination.

Chula was commissioned on 20 September 1986 into one of the most distinguished infantry regiments of the Sri Lanka Army, the Singha Regiment. He always yearned to serve at the front lines, and by 1989 both the 4th and 6th Battalions of SLSR were deployed in Elephant Pass. On the night of 19 March 1987, the LTTE launched a major attack to capture the Army positions in Jaffna CTO, Rupavahini, and Pannai quarters, strategic areas providing depth to the 4 SLSR Battalion HQ at Jaffna Fort. Though the enemy initially penetrated Pannai quarters, 4 SLSR troops counter attacked, eventually securing the area after days of intense fighting. The three officers defending CTO were Lt. Hiran Dabare, Lt. Jalika Jayasekera and Lt. Modestus Fernando, under the officer commanding of Bravo company, Capt Jayantha Kotelawela. In the early hours of 20 March, Chula was critically wounded from a devastating barrage of RPGs and improvised LTTE “Baba” mortars.

He was airlifted to Anuradhapura and to Colombo, underwent nearly three months of treatment. Yet, once recovered, he insisted on returning to the front lines, his dedication to duty unshakeable.

He sustained 28 splinters across his body, two in his cheek, and three life-threatening fragments lodged deep in his lungs. They frequently caused severe infections, requiring repeated treatment at the Military Hospital. But Chula never complained. He continued to serve with courage, honour, and remarkable endurance. That was the Chula we knew, steadfast, resilient, and fiercely loyal.

He served as Officer Instructor, Sri Lanka Military Academy, Adjutant, Chief Instructor of Military Academy, Centre Commandant of the Special Forces Regimental Centre and of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, discharging his duties with integrity, exceptional commitment, and military precision. “I can” and “I will” were the words he lived by; procrastination had no place in his vocabulary during his 36 years of illustrious military career.

Chula was devoted to his schoolmates of 82 Group of Ananda, his fellow soccer teammates, and his Intake 20 brothers. He never missed a gathering, a Big Match, or any event, his presence always brought life and warmth.

On 30th April 1992, following a proposal, Chula and Samadara were joined in holy matrimony at St. Mary’s Church, Kochchikade, Negombo. Their union was blessed with two remarkable children who later excelled in their chosen fields. During the years when Chula was away on national duty, it was Samadara who lovingly shouldered the family responsibilities, ensuring the children received the best in education and extracurricular activities. Their elder son, Kalindu, rose to become the Senior Cadet Sergeant, Head Prefect of St. Peter’s College and Vice-Captain of college Taekwondo team he joined Army like his father, Major Kalindu Jayasekera, Wear the prestigious maroon beret, highly skilled combat firing marksman, combat diver, A skilled military paratrooper, Jump master, and Commanding officer of K9 group of Commando Regiment.  Their daughter, Lahiri, a former Holy Family Convent netball player, entered the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, earned her LL. B, qualified as an Attorney-at-Law, and now serves as a Legal Officer at a respected firm.

Father and Son, Brig Chula Jayasekera Retd & Maj Kalindu Jayasekera

Tragically, after a brief illness Chula’s beloved wife Samadara passed away on 19 June 2015, leaving all responsibilities upon his shoulders. Yet, through courage and resilience, both children continued to shine brightly in their chosen fields.

After retiring from the Army as Brigadier in December 2019, Chula served as Director General – Training at the Civil Security Department. Upon completing his service, he returned to his own home in Thalwatte. Chula faced every challenge with courage, conviction, and strength. He never abandoned his home he built, even during severe flooding, choosing to remain upstairs for days until the waters receded.

Throughout his life, the splinters embedded deep within Chula’s body were not only a constant medical challenge but also a burden he carried with quiet dignity. Whenever Chula travelled abroad, the metal fragments were invariably detected during security screenings, triggering long interrogations and hours of explanation.

With patience and unwavering composure, he would narrate his story of battles fought, of sacrifices made, and of the fragments he carried as silent medals of honour. He always travelled with a file of military medical records and recommendation letters, issued by Army doctors, to convince authorities of the truth etched into his body.

This was the true warrior’s saga a reminder that long after the guns fall silent, a soldier continues to bear the weight of war, both seen and unseen.

A proud son of Thalwatte, Kelaniya, descended from generations of Wickramasinghe–Jayasekera lineage, he also served as President of the Wickramasinghe–Jayasekera Trust Fund too.

He was admitted to the Military Hospital on 27 October due to a wounded leg, and on 1 November 2025, Chula passed away peacefully in his sleep, following a sudden cardiac arrest.

Chula lived a full, honourable, and deeply meaningful life. He left this world with immense pride in the achievements of his beloved children. His final rites drew together his Ananda classmates, comrades-in-arms, the Commander of the Army, senior officers, and friends from across the country, all gathered to honour a man they admired and cherished.

The funeral service was reverently celebrated by the Kelaniya Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Bertrum Ranjith, at St. Theresa’s Church, Kelaniya, at 1530 hrs. Thereafter, Chula was laid to rest with full military honours on the serene banks of the beautiful Kelani River, in the St. Theresa’s Church cemetery, a resting place as calm, gentle, and dignified as the soul it now cradles.

As the haunting notes of the Last Post echoed through the air signifying that a brave soldier had gone to his final rest another unsung hero took his eternal leave. A sincere friend to many, a devoted father, and a noble son of the soil was laid to rest beside the love of his life, completing a journey defined by courage, humility, and unshakeable loyalty.

The Commander of the Army, Lt. Gen. Lasantha Rodrigo, together with senior officers, presented his military medals to his family a final salute befitting the gallant officer he was, and will forever be remembered as.

Farewell dear Chula. Your legacy lives on in the hearts you touched, the comrades you inspired, and the children who carry your light forward.

Final journey

I apologise for calling him Chula, but it is the name I knew and used from the day we met. Though he was known as Jalika in the Army, to me, and to many of his school friends, he was always Chula.

We lost a great batchmate, a sincere soul, a cheerful companion, and for me an irreplaceable neighbour and friend. Our future Intake 20 gatherings will never be the same without his presence, his laughter, and his endless stories.

Farewell, dear Chula. You will be deeply missed, remembered fondly, and honoured forever.

May you rest in eternal peace, dear Chula.

Let perpetual light shine upon you.