Question 1

Who is Hasalaka Gamini and why is he famous?

Accepted Answer

Hasalaka Gamini is the popular name for Corporal Gamini Kularatne of the Sri Lanka Army, who died on 14 July 1991 during the Elephant Pass Siege. He destroyed an LTTE armoured vehicle single-handedly to prevent it from overrunning the army garrison, sacrificing his own life in the process. He was posthumously awarded the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya, Sri Lanka's highest military honour for gallantry, and remains one of the most widely remembered figures of the civil war era.

Question 2

Where exactly is the Hasalaka Gamini monument located?

Accepted Answer

The monument is on the A9 highway at Elephant Pass, in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It sits at approximately the spot where Corporal Kularatne charged the LTTE vehicle in 1991. The site is around 60 kilometres south of Jaffna city and is visible directly from the road.

Question 3

Is there an entry fee to visit the monument?

Accepted Answer

No entry fee is charged. The memorial is a public roadside site that is accessible at any time of day. Visitors simply stop along the A9 highway to view the statue and the preserved tank.

Question 4

What is the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya?

Accepted Answer

The Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV) is the highest gallantry award of the Sri Lanka Army, equivalent in intent to a Victoria Cross or Medal of Honor. It is awarded for the most conspicuous acts of bravery in the face of the enemy. Corporal Gamini Kularatne was the first — and for many years the only — recipient of this decoration.

Question 5

Can I visit Elephant Pass on a day trip from Jaffna?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Elephant Pass is less than an hour's drive south of Jaffna on the A9 highway. Many visitors to Jaffna make a short detour to the monument, particularly those with an interest in modern Sri Lankan history. The site requires only 20 to 30 minutes to view properly.

Question 6

Is the original LTTE tank still at the monument site?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The armoured vehicle that Corporal Kularatne destroyed has been preserved in place where it halted on the day of the battle. It remains at the memorial as a tangible piece of the historical event, weathered but largely intact.

Question 7

How do I travel from Colombo to the Elephant Pass monument?

Accepted Answer

The most straightforward route is by private car or hired driver along the A9 highway, a journey of roughly seven to eight hours from Colombo depending on stops. Public buses also run the A9 route to Jaffna and pass through Elephant Pass, though you would need to request a stop. Many travellers combine the monument visit with an overnight stay in Jaffna before returning south.

Question 8

Is the Elephant Pass area safe for tourists today?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Northern Province, including Elephant Pass and Jaffna, is fully open to tourists and considered safe for travel. Infrastructure along the A9 has improved considerably since the end of the civil conflict in 2009, and tourism to the north is growing steadily.

Hasalaka Gamini War Hero Monument

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