Bhathiya Jayatilleka
Encyclopedia
Brigadier
W.A.A.P. Bhathiya Jayatilleka, RSP
, SLA
was a Sri Lankan Army
officer, who was the Brigade commander, 54-1 brigade of the 54 Division based at Elephant Pass
.
Educated at Royal College, Colombo, Jayatilleka joined the army after leaving school and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant
in the Sri Lanka Artillery
.
He was severing as the Brigade commander 54-1 brigade of the 54 Division based at Elephant Pass
at the out set of the Second Battle of Elephant Pass
in 2000. Following orders from the GOC 54 Division to make a strategic withdrawal of troops from Elephant Pass due to a lack of water, Colonel Jayatilleka withdrew his troops in order. He died of dehydration on April 22, 2000 at the Palali Military Hospital. He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier posthumously.
Brigadier Jayatilleka had received the Rana Sura Padakkama
(RSP), the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal
, the Riviresa Campaign Services Medal
and the North and East Operations Medal
.
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
W.A.A.P. Bhathiya Jayatilleka, RSP
Rana Sura Padakkama
The Rana Sura Padakkama is a medal presented to members of all ranks of the Military of Sri Lanka for individual and/or associated acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord. The decoration is presented by the President of Sri Lanka...
, SLA
Sri Lanka Artillery
The Sri Lanka Artillery is a corps of the Sri Lanka Army. It is made up of 7 regular regiments and 2 volunteer regiments. The SLA is headquartered at Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda.-History:...
was a Sri Lankan Army
Sri Lankan Army
The Sri Lanka Army is the oldest and largest of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and is responsible for land-based military and humanitarian operations. Established as the Ceylon Army in 1949, it was renamed when Sri Lanka became a republic in 1972...
officer, who was the Brigade commander, 54-1 brigade of the 54 Division based at Elephant Pass
Elephant Pass
Elephant Pass, Northern Province, Sri Lanka is an important military base and formerly the island's largest salt field, located in the gateway of Jaffna Peninsula. It has thus regularly been the site of battles during the civil war....
.
Educated at Royal College, Colombo, Jayatilleka joined the army after leaving school and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the Sri Lanka Artillery
Sri Lanka Artillery
The Sri Lanka Artillery is a corps of the Sri Lanka Army. It is made up of 7 regular regiments and 2 volunteer regiments. The SLA is headquartered at Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda.-History:...
.
He was severing as the Brigade commander 54-1 brigade of the 54 Division based at Elephant Pass
Elephant Pass
Elephant Pass, Northern Province, Sri Lanka is an important military base and formerly the island's largest salt field, located in the gateway of Jaffna Peninsula. It has thus regularly been the site of battles during the civil war....
at the out set of the Second Battle of Elephant Pass
Second Battle of Elephant Pass
The Second Battle of Elephant Pass , was a battle fought in April 2000 for the control of the Sri Lankan military base in Elephant Pass, Jaffna....
in 2000. Following orders from the GOC 54 Division to make a strategic withdrawal of troops from Elephant Pass due to a lack of water, Colonel Jayatilleka withdrew his troops in order. He died of dehydration on April 22, 2000 at the Palali Military Hospital. He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier posthumously.
Brigadier Jayatilleka had received the Rana Sura Padakkama
Rana Sura Padakkama
The Rana Sura Padakkama is a medal presented to members of all ranks of the Military of Sri Lanka for individual and/or associated acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord. The decoration is presented by the President of Sri Lanka...
(RSP), the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal
Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal
The Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal shall be granted to All regular officers and other ranks of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force, who complete 12 years continuous service and whose character and conduct have been irreproachable and who are recommended by their...
, the Riviresa Campaign Services Medal
Riviresa Campaign Services Medal
The Riviresa Campaign Services Medal is presented to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the military of the Republic of Sri Lanka and to those who have served in Operation Riviresa.-Who received the medal:...
and the North and East Operations Medal
North and East Operations Medal
The North and East Operations Medal is presented to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the military of the Republic of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Police, who have served in the Norther and Eastern provinces for an accumulated period of 3 years since July 23, 1983.-Areas of service...
.