[1] In July 1992, General Kobbekaduwa was preparing for a new offensive, codenamed "Operation Final Countdown", to recapture the Jaffna peninsula which was under LTTE control.

He spent much of the night planning the upcoming offensive with Brigadier Vijaya Wimalaratne, Jaffna Brigade Commander and Commodore Mohan Jayamaha.

At 8:00 am the group made up of Maj. General Kobbekaduwa, Brigadier Wimalaratne and Commodore Jayamaha along with several other officers headed out on a naval patrol boat towards Jaffna and returned to Kayts pier.

Halfway through their journey the General ordered that they all use one vehicle so as not to attract fire form LTTE units in the Jaffna peninsula which was only half a kilometer away.

The two wounded officers were rushed to the helicopter waiting to transport the group to base, which took them to the military hospital in Palaly where it Commodore Jayamaha was found dead on arrival.

A memorial service was held for the Admiral at All Saints' Church, Borella presided by the Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, then Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo.