‘Ok mum. I’m going out. I might not be back’: hero teen saves swept away brother

A South Otago student has become the youngest-ever winner of a Mountbatten medal, after the heroic rescue of his younger brother from heavy surf.

On August 27 last year, the then 13-year-old Kalya Kandegoda Gamage was paddling in the water’s edge at Chrystalls Beach with his 11-year-old brother Kithmi.

It was then when a large wave swept his younger brother off of his feet, and two more large waves pulled him into the water.

Kithmi, who was a confident swimmer, tried to get back to shore but when he couldn’t, he continued to tread water. However, battling the 3 metre swells he was becoming tired as he was pulled further from shore.

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It was then when his older brother turned to their mother and said: ‘Ok Mum, I’m going out. I might not be back.’’

Kalya said it took several jumps to get into the bitterly cold surf, and while he was not scared on the way to his brother, who was now 60m from shore, he was scared when he reached him, and the pair had to return.

He was worried that he and his brother might not make it back, but was relieved when he got to back to shore, but tired and cold from the water.

Kalya said he felt happy and relieved that the siblings did not die that day, and were both more careful of the sea after their experience.

The citation from the Royal Life Saving Society noted a comment from a local police officer that ‘’no-one survives in that stretch of water, it is notoriously dangerous’’.

’’Undoubtedly, Kalya’s brave response saved his brother’s life that day.’’

While long-term Kalya wanted to start a business, or become an engineer, he also wanted to improve on the swimming skills and lifesaving training he undertook in his home country of Sri Lanka.

Those life-saving skills meant Kalya qualified – and won – the 2022 Mountbatten Medal, which was awarded to just one member of the Commonwealth, each year.

The now 14-year-old became the youngest person ever to win the bravery award.

Kalya was presented with the medal at a special school assembly at the Milton-based Tokomairiro High School, with his principal Declan Sheridan telling Stuff that: ‘’the school is very proud of Kalya’s achievements’’.

‘’He exemplifies all of our school values and is a credit to his family. He has been called a hero and is definitely worthy of the title.’’

He noted that the Commonwealth comprised of 56 countries and 2.4 billion people, ‘’so for him to be singled out in this way is an amazing achievement for a humble young man’’.

Taieri MP Ingrid Leary, member of Labour’s Ethnic Caucus and who was at the ceremony, said Kalya was ‘’a true hero’’.

‘’He knew he was putting his life on the line, but did not hesitate – knowing, too, that he had the skills, training and presence of mind to pull off this rescue despite the very challenging odds’’.

‘’He is inspirational and has clearly commanded huge respect from the Otago community for himself, his family and his culture.”