Sri Lanka, July 25 -- A Sri Lankan Kiwi from South Otago 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.

Kalya said it took several jumps to get into the bitterly cold surf, ...