VIPUL BOTEJUE IS NO MORE….. Sri Lanka has lost a remarkable soldier, sportsman, and leader.

• A strict disciplinarian with an unconventional streak, Vipul pushed boundaries. He challenged his company officers who shied away from his adventurous spirit, and he was equally demanding of his superiors, introducing new tactics and training techniques. To him, soldiering was a calling—not a job. 
• Faced with pressure to compromise his principles for the sake of political expediency, he chose instead to uphold his integrity. He retired prematurely—true to his values and true to the uniform he cherished.

By Lt.Col.Sunil Peiris retd.

Vipul was an international swimmer and an equally accomplished water polo player. A proud product of Royal College, Colombo 7, he joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1969 and was enrolled in the 2nd Intake of Officer Cadets at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa.
He took to the rigors of military training like a duck to water. Although another intake was senior to his, Vipul’s natural leadership, confidence, and drive quickly made him stand out. After a demanding eighteen months of training, he was commissioned along with twelve colleagues.
As a young Second Lieutenant of the Gemunu Watch, he joined me and Gibbrey Muthalib in Diyatalawa. As the designated subaltern, he took the brunt of the good-natured rough and tumble that young officers faced. But Vipul was never one to take anything lying down—he gave back as good as he got. Even in those early years, his loyalty, discipline, integrity, and unwavering commitment to military standards set him apart. Strong, spirited, and fearless, he combined physical strength with sharp intellect.
Our days together in the serenity of Diyatalawa were short-lived. The 1971 insurgency broke out, and we were deployed across Moneragala, Balangoda, Rikillagaskada, and other remote regions. We kept track of each other over military communications and exchanged stories at the end of each day. We often heard of Vipul’s daring operations and relentless pursuits in the jungles of Maradankadawala. It was our baptism by fire. Armed with little more than outdated .303 Enfield rifles, we were thrust into a conflict that, in hindsight, was only a precursor to far more intense battles in the decades to come.
Vipul’s military career continued to flourish. He completed the Young Officers Infantry Training Course in Warminster, UK, and later attended courses in Belgaum, India, and the Staff College in Bangladesh. His career gathered momentum with each achievement.
A strict disciplinarian with an unconventional streak, Vipul pushed boundaries. He challenged his company officers who shied away from his adventurous spirit, and he was equally demanding of his superiors, introducing new tactics and training techniques. To him, soldiering was a calling—not a job. His exceptional capabilities soon saw him return to the Military Academy as an instructor, followed by his appointment as Commanding Officer of the Jungle Warfare School in Ampara.
During this time, Vipul also found love—though he tried, unsuccessfully, to keep his young Colombo sweetheart hidden away in the jungles of Ampara. His return to Diyatalawa as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, The Gemunu Watch, marked the pinnacle of his career. He embraced command as naturally as everything else he took on. His officers and soldiers adored and respected him for his fairness, professionalism, and unwavering principles. Few could match his standards of leadership.
His knowledge of warfare, aircraft, and emerging military technology was extraordinary. In 1987, he led his Regiment during Operation Liberation in Vadamarachchi, Jaffna. His grit and determination under heavy fire inspired his troops to advance with courage. He continued operations across Jaffna and the East until the ceasefire of 1989, after which he was appointed Co-ordinating Officer in Moneragala.
It was there that Vipul made the most difficult decision of his career. Faced with pressure to compromise his principles for the sake of political expediency, he chose instead to uphold his integrity. He retired prematurely—true to his values and true to the uniform he cherished.
One of the most extraordinary episodes of his service occurred in December 1974, when he led a Gemunu Watch search team into the dense Nine Virgins forest in Maskeliya to locate the black box of the crashed Martinair DC-8 aircraft. After two relentless days of climbing and searching through treacherous terrain, Vipul and his team succeeded. It was an incredible achievement.
Vipul later served as Commissioner General of Prisons and went on to hold senior roles at the Tyre Corporation, Seylan Bank, and the Ceylinco Group.
In his later years, he lived quietly before ill health overtook him. He leaves behind his daughter Lianka and son Viren.
Sri Lanka bids farewell to a soldier of exceptional calibre—a leader whose professionalism, courage, and integrity will long be remembered and seldom matched.