"Located near the strategic Elephant Pass area, the memorial is simple yet powerful. As you stand before the statue, you feel the weight of the history that unfolded here and the incredible heroism displayed in the face of danger. The site is quiet, well-maintained, and offers a respectful space for reflection. It’s a place where visitors naturally pause, remember, and appreciate the sacrifices made by the armed forces during the conflict."

Isuru Warne

"Hasalaka, the farming hamlet in the salubrious Kandy district of Sri Lanka grabbed the attention of every household overnight some years ago. Following the unprecedented valour and the supreme sacrifice of a single Army soldier, Corporal Gamini Kularatne, now popularly known as the "Hasalaka Hero" among many a Sri Lankan, Hasalaka is looked upon with respect and dignity.

Enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army's Sinha Regiment Sixth Battalion as a Rifleman, Lance Corporal Gamini Kularatne on that fateful night of July 13, 1991 peered through the bunker for possible infiltrators, the LTTE terrorists who were understandably determined to overrun the 600 strong Army encampment at the strategic Elephant Pass in the mainland, the northern gateway to the Jaffna peninsula.

As dusk fell LTTE terrorists were at work. Flanked by hundreds of their armed cadres, they surrounded the Army's fortifications, but the sight of a hitherto unknown slowly inching bulldozer covered with armoured plates looking like a huge monster sent shock waves among soldiers at all sentry points. The huge bulldozer tank was a mystery to all on guard. Equipped with a machine gun atop it and obviously with a haul of arms and ammunitions inside it was rumbling towards the southern entrance of the camp, and Lance Corporal Gamini Kularatne in his pensive mood thought this new rolling weapon would definitely be able to swarm the garrison within seconds taking a heavy toll of his fellowmen. Above all the fall of Elephant Pass to the enemy would be catastrophic and counterproductive at national level, and there was hardly any time to waste, Kularatne pondered.

LTTE terrorists began pounding the Army camp with heavy mortars and weapons to the cries of injured and dying soldiers amidst deafening explosions, but all eyes were still centred on the enemy's approaching mysterious bulldozer laden with sophisticated weapons. He swept into action, leaving no clue to any of his comrades.

Suddenly it was Lance Corporal Gamini Kularatne, the lone soldier holding two grenades dashed against the onward bulldozer tank of the enemy, clambered up the tank's ladder and tossed the two grenades inside it, disregarding the gun injuries he himself had suffered by then from the bullets of Tiger terrorists. Within seconds fiery bursts flashed fire accompanied by a series of explosions when other troopers immediately found that it was Lance Corporal Gamini Kularatne who had lobbed these grenades barring the forward march of this deadly bulldozer tank of Tiger terrorists. Lance Corporal Gamini Kularatne who flung to the ground lay motionless. Thus broke the siege of Elephant Pass Army and ended one of the most ferocious battles in Sri Lanka's modern history in the year 1991. The camp was finally saved.

The news of Lance Corporal Gamini Kularatne's supreme sacrifice, dedicated for the sake of Sri Lanka's territorial integrity and sovereignty was well received with admiration and honour by all segments of patriotic masses across the island.

In recognition of his gallantry act Lance Corporal Gamini Kularatne was promoted to the rank of Corporal posthumously and honoured with the award of "PARAMA WEERA VIBHUSANAYA", the highest gallantry award in Sri Lanka for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka Army.

Born on September 4, 1966 Gamini Kularatne was the second son of a family of four brothers and a sister. He obtained his primary education at Ranasinghe Premadasa Madhya Maha Vidyalaya at Hasalaka and later joined the Army on August 27,1987 with the blessings of the father S.G Babanis and mother S.G Juliet.

Corporal Gamini Kularatne marks a milestone in the annals of military gallantry. No doubt, the nation salutes this valiant soldier as long as they could breathe. He also leaves an indelible memory of patriotism and valour not only in the minds of his own tribe but also among millions of Sri Lankans whose today is sacrificed for the sake of tomorrow's betterment."

Prasad Lokubalasuriya

"This is a kind of Museum maintained by SL Army for Hasalaka Gamini war warrior. Lots of memories of this war here are displayed here.

A video is played by army and can have a good understanding about the history of his story.

Some war related books can be purchased from here."

Samitha Karunarathna