State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon graced the first National Cadet Corps National Youth Heroes Award ceremony as the chief guest at the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Headquarters in Pamankada, Colombo today (Jul 17).
NCC Director Brigadier Sudantha Fonseka received the State Minister on his arrival at the venue this morning.
The first National Cadet Corps National Youth Heroes Award is held under the concept of State Minister Tennakoon.
The first NCC National Youth Heroes Award ceremony was organized for the first time ever, on a visionary concept of State Minister Tennakoon who has taken pride in promoting and recognizing young heroes.
The NCC National Youth Hero Award is held to honour Sri Lankan young heroes to groom the youth to be dynamic, versatile and disciplined citizens with extraordinary leadership qualities to face any challenges in the future society.
This year awards were presented to Miss. Charithma Jinendri and Master Sasindu Nimsara in recognition of their exceptional bravery and selfless action towards the wellbeing of others.
Speaking at the ceremony, State Minister Tennakoon praised the two award winners for their exemplary acts of heroism and also said that this award presented by the NCC for the first time is quite appropriate as it is the NCC that trains and inspires young school students through an effective training curriculum which inculcate values and moulds them to become efficient and effective leaders. He made it an opportunity to call upon the youth to join the NCC and empower national development.
Sasindu Nimsara, a grade 10 student of Kivula Piriwena, Mahakumbukkadawala, Puttlam saved the life of a 04 year old child who was struggling for life after falling into a 36-foot-deep well. Risking his own life, Nimsara jumped into the well and saved the child.
Charithma Jinendri, a 17 year old student of Siri Piyarathana Vidyalaya in Padukka and resident of Iridha Pola, Waga, Padukka saved the lives of a husband and wife trapped in their house on a night by the flooding water of the nearby Wakoya. Braving raging waters, Jinendri swam towards the house with a rope and saved their lives putting her own life at risk.
DIG S.M.Y.Seneviratne, senior NCC officers and families of the two award winners were also present at the occasion.
