Video: Two SL students receive bravery awards

18 August 2014 11:26 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Two Sri Lankan students who overpowered a gunman during a McDonalds robbery are among dozens of courageous Victorians to be recognised with bravery awards.

He disarmed and disabled a gunman trying to rob a McDonalds store, but what scared Kasun Fernando more, was telling his parents back home in Sri Lanka that he had risked his life in doing so.

"At first mum was a bit scared, but she's really proud now," he told 7News reporter Brendan Roberts.

His fellow suburban crime fighter, Ishan Chathuranga, avoided telling his parents, fearful of the worry it would cause them.

In 2012, the pair was waiting at a McDonalds outlet in Mulgrave when a masked man, carrying a sawn-off shot gun stormed the fast food restaurant and tried to rob it.

"When I saw the gun was away from him and he was busy collecting the money, I thought I can take him on, so I jumped on him and put him down," Kasun said.

The pair then held the gunman until police arrived ten minutes later.

Nearly 300 Victorians were honoured in this year's national bravery awards, announced by the Governor General.

They will be presented with their awards at a ceremony next year.

The late airship pilot Michael Nerandzic received the highest accolade, the Star of Courage, for sacrificing his own life to save three passengers when his blimp burst into flames over Germany three years ago.

The paramedics who spent two weeks talking to miners, Brant Webb and Todd Russell, while they were trapped underground at Beaconsfield have also been honoured.

"We were there 24 hours a day. When they wanted to sleep, they slept, when they wanted to talk, we were there for them."

Fifteen members of the Marysville CFA have also been commended for their bravery on Black Saturday. (Yahoo News)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 11

Suny J fm Melbourne Monday, 18 August 2014 11:49 AM

Proud of you boys.....

Dilrukshi Monday, 18 August 2014 11:57 AM

Well done boys;;;;

Dilrukshi Monday, 18 August 2014 11:58 AM

Well done BOYS;;;

Samira Yatawaththage Monday, 18 August 2014 12:19 PM

Proud of you!

Punchibanda Monday, 18 August 2014 02:10 PM

Where is this ? No name of a city or a country.

Mahanamian Monday, 18 August 2014 10:20 PM

Proud of you Kasun malli....You have shown the true Mahanama spirit.... via DM Android App

George Clooney Tuesday, 19 August 2014 02:16 AM

I thought only gunman were in SL and not in weealthy overseas first world countries.

Empulze Tuesday, 19 August 2014 08:00 AM

Hats off via DM Android App

lakdasa kaviratne Tuesday, 19 August 2014 06:43 AM

cheers!

Ceylonese - Sydney Tuesday, 19 August 2014 07:06 AM

Punchibanda: For your information as mentioned in the article this happened in Mulgrave which is a suburb(town) in Melbourne, Australia in the state of Victoria.

lalith Tuesday, 19 August 2014 09:46 AM

robbers know another robber mind

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Video: Two SL students receive bravery awards

Comments - 11

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Man who jumped off Sri Pada Uda Maluwa and went missing, found

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

MIRROR CRICKET

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Sri Lanka to establish new energy sector regulator

Cabinet nod to transfer China-built Mattala airport’s management to Indian, Russian joint venture

Sajith never attends dinners hosted by Ranil Wickremesinghe

One soldier dead, nine injured in road crash

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Dates confirmed for 78th Bradby Shield

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand