×

Online PaymentS

Will be available soon

Trinity College Kandy - Respice Finem

Trinity College Kandy - Respice Finem

Trinity College, Kandy Respice Finem

T +94 70 6 65 65 65
Email: info@trinitycollege.lk

Trinity College, Kandy
262, D S Senanayake Veediya, Kandy 20000, Central Province, Sri Lanka

Open in Google Maps
CALL: +94 70 6 65 65 65
  • ONLINE PAYMENTS
  • Home
  • About Trinity
    • Principal
    • Chapel
      • Choir
    • Sections
      • Kindergarten
      • Junior School
      • International Qualifications
    • Ryde Gold Medal
    • The College Hymn
    • The College Song
    • Office 365
      • Office 365 Portal
        • Microsoft Teams on Web
        • Office Applications
          • Microsoft Word
          • Microsoft Excel
          • Microsoft PowerPoint
        • Outlook on Web
        • OneNote on Web
        • OneDrive on Web
        • Microsoft SharePoint
        • Microsoft Planner
        • Microsoft Sway
        • Microsoft Yammer
      • Learning at Home
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Support Tutorials
        • College Email Accounts
        • Microsoft Teams
  • News
    • The TrinitianNew
    • News & Articles
      • College News
      • General Articles
    • Careers
    • Gallery
  • Events
  • Trinity 150
    • T150 College Celebrations
      • MemorabiliaNew
    • Trinity History Project
    • Trinity150 Infrastructure Projects
  • Branding
    • Brand Property Guidelines
      for Public Reference
    • Identity Guidelines
      for Clubs, Societies and Sports
Website Admin
Sunday, 14 November 2021 / Published in College

“Don’t worry sir, I will fight till I die” – Capt. Saliya Aladeniya

Early life

On the 1st of March 1963, one of Sri Lanka’s bravest and noblest soldiers Saliya Upul Aladeniya was born in Lewella to a family of three children. His father was a planter in the estate sector who was also a captain in the volunteer forces.

He who had the desire to join the Sri Lanka Army since a young age asked his mother to stitch him an army uniform which he was extremely fond of.

Young Saliya joined Trinity College in 1968 and after completing his O/L’s he briefly worked at the family estate and then went on to join the Sri Lanka Army.

Life in the Military

Young Saliya with his parents.

Aladeniya, who joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1989 as a volunteer officer after completing a short commissioning course at the Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyatalawa, subsequently was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 2nd battalion (V), Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.

He served with the battalion in Nuwaraeliya during the later stages of the JVP insurrection (1987-89) before being transferred to the 3rd (V) battalion, Sinha Regiment, and was attached to the ‘A’ company.

Battle of Kokavil

On the 18th of May 1990, the ‘A’ company of the 3rd Battalion of the Sinha Regiment with three officers was deployed to Mankulam; and two officers including 2nd Lieutenant Saliya Aladeniya and 60 soldiers were posted to guard the Rupavahini relay station in Kokavil.

Capt. Saliya Aladeniya

Then on the 11th of June 1990, the Sri Lankan government ordered over 600 police officers to surrender to the LTTE after their police stations were surrounded, who were then subsequently killed. The next day Mankulam and Kokavil were surrounded by the LTTE. On June 16, there was a ceasefire, the Captain-in-charge of the camp and fifteen others went on leave. Leaving Lieutenant Aladeniya in charge.

On the 27th of June, the Kokavil camp was surrounded by the LTTE cadres who outnumbered the soldiers five to one. Needs, such as food and water, were running out at an alarming pace. Their supply of ammunition was drying up too. Although many requests for reinforcements were sent to Wanni headquarters, none of them reached the camp successfully.

On the 11th of July, orders to withdraw from the camp came at the eleventh hour but by then it was too late as many of Lt. Aladeniya’s fellow soldiers were wounded and unable to make the trip back to safety. It was then he showed his virtues and morals by not leaving them to die but fighting alongside them till the end. Aladeniya ordered the only civilian in the camp who was the cook to leave. At 11.45 pm in the night, the camp was overrun and the final words spoken by Lt. Aladeniya to Wanni headquarters were,

“Don’t worry sir, I will fight till I die.”

Saliya’s mother Mrs. Aladeniya.

Lieutenant Saliya Aladeniya and his men fought valiantly till the very end defending our beloved country, not letting LTTE terrorists into the Rupavahini relay station which played a major role in the communication of news and information to the North from Colombo and vice versa. Aladeniya and his fellow soldiers were killed when an adjacent fuel dump exploded.

After Kokavil

Lt. Saliya Aladeniya was just 26 years of age when he sacrificed his life, gallantly defending the camp at Kokavil and standing by his injured troops in the face of massive attacks. His commanding officer Col. Abey Weerakoon recommended that he be awarded the “Parama Weera Vibhushana” Sri Lanka’s highest and most prestigious military award.

Col. Weerakoon recalled Lt. Aladeniya as “A very bold officer who always volunteered for the difficult tasks. He had time to escape, but CHOSE to stay by his injured troops.”

Aladeniya was posthumously promoted to the rank of captain and became a part of history when he became the first recipient of the “Parama Weera Vibhushana” medal, on the 21st of June, 1994 by His Excellency president D.B. Wijetunga for outstanding gallantry and bravery on the battlefield

The newly reconstructed Kokavil relay station, alongside the memorial built for the 52 soldiers who died defending the tower.

In an assault campaign in 2009, the Sri Lankan army was able to reclaim the Kokavil camp. Two years later, the transmission tower was reconstructed, and a memorial honoring Aladeniya and his men was erected on the site.

“Parama Weera Vibhushanaya”

Parama Weera Vibhushanaya Medals

The “Parama Weera Vibhushanaya” also known as the supreme heroism decoration is the highest military decoration in Sri Lanka and is equivalent to the British Victoria Cross or the United States Medal of Honor. This is awarded for supreme acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of the most exceptional order while on service. No living service person has received the PWV to date.

Capt. Saliya Upul Aladeniya was the first person to receive this prestigious award.

Throughout his military career, Capt. Saliya Aladeniya lived up to the motto of Trinity: Respice finem, or ‘look to the end.’ He gave his life for the sake of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He exemplified the authentic Trinitian values and ethos. His deeds serve as an example to all Trinitians and Sri Lankans.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Article Written by Sherwain Wavita

What you can read next

Notice to the Class of 2021 Students from the Centre For Excellence
Trinity Football players emerge winners against St. Anthony’s College, Kandy
Clubs and Societies – Review 2019

COLLEGE NEWS

  • Trinity-Thomian Weekend 2023March 13, 2023
  • The Sesquicentennial Anniversary Prize Giving 2022 – reviewedMarch 13, 2023
  • T150 Sesquicentennial Anniversary Prize Giving ReportFebruary 26, 2023
  • Sri Lanka Girl Guide Association Camp at Trinity Eco Learning Arena [TELA] February 19, 2023

SPORTS NEWS

  • Trinity Cricketers win against Royal College Colombo at the Under 19 Division Tier A Two Day Tournament 2022/2023March 10, 2023
  • Trinity Under 18 Football team wins against Wickramabahu National College Gampola – SLFA 3rd RoundMarch 10, 2023
  • Trinity wins SLSFA Under 16 Kandy Zonal Football TournamentMarch 10, 2023
  • Trinity Basketball Players emerge winners at the U16 Central Zone Baskteball TournamentMarch 6, 2023

CLUBS & SOCIETIES NEWS

  • HELIOS Extinguished – Trinity College Gavelliers reign as the forerunners at the All-Island CompetitionsMarch 19, 2023
  • A Bid Farewell: Colombo Model United Nations 2023March 18, 2023
  • Road to Pallekele – The first School MTB (Mountain Bike) Track at PallekeleMarch 18, 2023
  • TCMUN Dominates at the Mahamaya MUN Conference ‘23March 17, 2023

Trinity on Instagram

trinitycollege.lk

Exploring Vistas of Excellence since 1872

Trinity College Kandy
The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sr The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Maged Mosleh paid a courtesy visit to Trinity College on Friday, the 17th of March 2023.Following the cordial discussions with the Principal on matters related to education and culture, the Ambassador had a guided tour of premises with Mr. Shane De Silva.#trinitycollegelk #trinitycollegekandy #visit #ambassaodor #egyptian
Trinity College PROMWEB is excited to announce the Trinity College PROMWEB is excited to announce the screening of the Oscar winning documentary 'Elephant Whisperers' taking place on Tuesday, 28th of March 2023, 2.30pm at the Trinity College Media Studio (Near the College Library).We are inviting interested students from Grade 9 and Upwards - to register yourself via the Microsoft Form at www.bit.ly/promwebreg01 on or before 23 March 2023.Limited registrations available!#trinitycollegelk #trinitycollegekandy #documentary #screenings
From the #GavelClubPost completion of the prelim From the #GavelClubPost completion of the preliminary rounds and semi-finals of HELIOS 22 organized by the Gavel Club of Hillwood College Kandy the finale was set on the 11th of March 2023.At the playoffs of the HELIOS Interschool Competition 22 our very own Trinity College Gavelliers with their zealous drive ran the show with finalists Masters Isija Thilakrathne and Yeshan Ranatunga emerging with podium finishes.Read the full review on our College website!#trinitycollegelk #trinitycollegekandy #gavelclub #winners #trinity #college #kandy
TCMUN, in its short but vivid history has thrived, TCMUN, in its short but vivid history has thrived, gaining recognition for being daring and relentless. The names of Bilaal Marikar, Malaka Samarasinghe and Lukman Hassan have resonated in the conference halls of Sri Lanka. And this year’s participation in Colombo Model United Nations (COMUN) marked another significant milestone.Read the full review on our College website!#trinitycollegelk #trinitycollegekandy #modelunitednations #tcmun #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka
The Trinity College Cycling Club completed an exci The Trinity College Cycling Club completed an exciting mission on March 6, 2023 at the Trinity Eco Learning Arena (TELA).The goal of the club was to create the first MTB (Mountain Bike) Track that a Sri Lankan School has opened. The project was aimed at providing an ideal experience for MTB riders of all skill levels while ensuring their safety.Read the full review on our College website!#trinitycollegelk #trinitycollegekandy #cyclingclub #MTBtrack #trinity #college #kany #srilanka
The Trinity College Model United Nations Club show The Trinity College Model United Nations Club showcased an impressive performance, with its delegates dominating all 6 committees of the conference at the Mahamaya MUN Conference ‘23.Read the full review on our College website!#trinitycollegelk #trinitycollegekandy #mun #tcmun #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka
We are #live with @canva for Education!We are r We are #live with @canva for Education!We are rolling out Canva for our teachers and students at multiple levels of the school supporting them to create engaging content for their Academic and Extra-Curricular work.DM us to know more about how to use Canva.#trinitycollegelk #canvaforeducation #canvacreate #trinitycollegekandy #students #creativity #design #artwork
We are delighted to congratulate Master Aamir Akra We are delighted to congratulate Master Aamir Akram who was recently recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow at the Rotary District Conference of 2023. Aamir is the youngest individual in Sri Lanka to receive this recognition.Paul Harris Fellow recognition is both an award for exemplary work in community service or helping those in need, and even a method of recognizing a substantial donation to The Rotary Foundation. Paul Harris Fellow recognitions in Sri Lanka have been awarded to Rotarians and others that have shown that they are prepared to go that extra mile in support of people in need.Read the full review on our College website!#trinitycollegekandy #trinitycollegelk #interactclub #paulharrisfellow
Load More Follow us on Instagram

TRINITY COLLEGE ON FLICKR

    Browse Our Gallery

    Tweets @TrinityColKandy

    9 days agoTrinity Sesquicentennial Dinner Dance - organised by the Trinity College Kandy Old Boys Association18 March 2023… https://t.co/NBfdHWXLo0
    10 days agoGrade 2 Weekly Newsletter – Issue 4View: https://t.co/rJQZ1TicDe https://t.co/8KodP894R4
    10 days agoOur congratulations to the Trinity College Under 18 Football team for winning against Wickramabahu National College… https://t.co/HjsZChsQgW
    10 days agoOur congratulations to the Trinity College 1XI Cricket Team for winning against Royal College Colombo and for being… https://t.co/sbsskpBjtq
    Follow @TrinityColKandy

    Archives

    Tweets @TrinityColKandy

    9 days agoTrinity Sesquicentennial Dinner Dance - organised by the Trinity College Kandy Old Boys Association18 March 2023… https://t.co/NBfdHWXLo0
    Follow @TrinityColKandy

    Quick Links

    • Home
    • Contact
    • News and Media
    • Trinity150
    • Events
    • Online Payments
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • My Account
    • GET SOCIAL
    Trinity College Kandy - Respice Finem

    Copyright © 2000 - 2022 Trinity College, Kandy. All rights reserved.

    TOP
    X