Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne, the newly appointed Army Commander of Sri Lanka, recently visited the family home of the late Corporal S.V.A.M. Pushpamal in Saranasirigama, Girithale, to pay tribute to the fallen soldier and his parents. Corporal Pushpamal, who served with the 2nd Commando Regiment, was killed in action on April 21, 2009, during a humanitarian operation aimed at rescuing civilians held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Pudumathalan area.

During the operation, Corporal Pushpamal and his unit launched a counter-attack against the LTTE, who were reportedly using civilians as human shields. Despite heavy enemy fire, the commando unit succeeded in breaching the LTTE defensive line and destroyed a critical bunker, enabling the rescue of thousands of civilians trapped in the conflict zone. Pushpamal was 22 years old at the time of his death.

In recognition of his extraordinary courage and sacrifice, Corporal Pushpamal was posthumously awarded the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV), Sri Lanka’s highest military decoration, as well as the Purna Bhoomi Padakkama. The Army Commander’s visit included a financial contribution to the late soldier's parents, S.V.G. Wijerathna and Amarawathi Menike, accompanied by assurances that the sacrifices of fallen servicemen are remembered and honored by the military establishment.

This gesture underscores the army’s ongoing commitment to support the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice during Sri Lanka’s conflict and highlights the continued recognition of bravery displayed in operations aimed at protecting civilians.