The President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, conferred Weerodhara Vibushanaya (WV) medals on two Airmen at a colourful ceremony held at the President Secretariat today (19 August 2019).  The two Airmen who received the Weerodhara Vibushanaya today were Late Warrant Officer YMS Yaparathne and Corporal Rathnayake DAWMNDB.

Late Warrant Officer YMS Yaparathne was awarded with the Weerodara Vibushanaya (WV) for the bravery he displayed in risking his own life to rescue civilians affected by the mammoth flooding in May 2017. The Weerodara Vibushanaya (WV) was accepted by the spouse of the late Warrant Officer.

Corporal Rathnayake DAWMNDB was awarded with the Weerodara Vibushanaya (WV) for the bravery he displayed in rescuing four civilians who had fallen into the Batticaloa lagoon in a three wheeler on 21st December 2016.

The President Secretary Mr. Udaya R Senevirathne, Defence Secretary, General Shantha Kottegoda (Retd), Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne and the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias also attended the ceremony.

Weerodara Vibushanaya is awarded to recognize the voluntary gallantry acts of bravery by a person to save a life of another during a disaster like drowning, fire, flood etc., without considering the injuries which could be incurred to the particular individual. The recipient of the decoration will be entitled to use the symbol ‘WV’ after his or her name.