Sports

Some have to die for others to live. Old Trinitian, Lt. Gen. Parami Kulatunga led an exemplary life on and off the field and died. One of the finest products to hail from Trinity College, Kandy, he also wore the Trinity rugby Jersey.

A humble officer he moved around with the rank and file even on the battle field. Always spoke directly without beating about the bush.

According to Army rugby coach Brig. Jupana Jayawardena – “Lt. Gen. Parami” was always in the thick helping them with kind words. He inspired the players off the field despite exigencies of duty but still had the time to watch a game.

His last act was in the clash between Army and Kandy SC, at Havelocks Park. “It was a titanic struggle. Kandy with back-pedalling at 10-8” said Jaywardena. “In a miscarriage of justice the adjudicators erred and gave a try to Kandy when it was not, to the dismay of the Army players and the spectators. In its wake Army lost the grip and the match. Late General Kulatunga had a bird’s eye”, said Jupana Jayawardena

After the game Brig. Jupana Jayawardena, Maj. Gen. Sunil Silva (Chairman Army Rugby) and assistant coach Sunil Ranasinghe, invited Lt. Gen. Kulatunga to speak to players. Addressing them The General said, “I’ve faced ups and downs in life, on and off the filed, but I fought back. Don’t get upset over this lapse. You must have patience to fight another day. Focus attention to win the game. Rugby is a manly sport. It must be played in the right spirit, and maintain its dignity at all times”.

“These were his parting words to the players before he went far beyond” said Brig. Jayawardena. BW