A. P. N. C. De S. Vaas Gunawardene

Vaas Gunawardene
Born(1961-10-13)October 13, 1961
DiedJuly 23, 1983(1983-07-23) (aged 21)
Thirunelveli, Jaffna Peninsula
AllegianceSri Lanka
BranchSri Lanka Army
Years of service1980–1983
RankSecond Lieutenant
UnitSri Lanka Light Infantry
Battles / warsSri Lankan Civil War
Alma materAnanda College

Second Lieutenant A. P. N. C. De Vaas Gunawardene, Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI), was a Sri Lankan Army officer who commanded the ill-fated Four Four Bravo patrol that was ambushed by the LTTE on 23 July 1983. This incident sparked the Black July riots and is considered to be the start of the Sri Lankan Civil War.