Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment

The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Sri Lankan Army. Formed on 22 March 1988, it is named after Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa (King Vijayabahu, 1055 to 1110 AD). The regiment consists of 17 regular battalions, 9 volunteer battalions and a headquarters battalion. Since 1993, its Regimental Centre is located at the Boyagane Camp, Kurunegala.

Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
Active1 December 1980 – October 1983
15 November 1988 – present
CountrySri Lanka
BranchSri Lanka Army
TypeInfantry
RoleCounterinsurgency
Forward observer
Jungle warfare
Raiding
Reconnaissance
Size25 battalions
Regimental HeadquartersBoyagane Camp, Kurunegala.
Nickname(s)Archers
Motto(s)"What – cannot they bear, those who are adept and well versed in their arts and crafts and professions"
ColorsMaroon and Gold
Mascot(s)Danurdha – Archer (Centaur)
Anniversaries26 September
EngagementsSri Lankan Civil War,
United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti
United Nations Stabilization Mission in Lebanon
Decorations2 Parama Weera Vibhushanayas
1 Weerodara Vibhushanaya
Commanders
Centre CommandantBrigadier P M R H S K Herath RWP RSP
Colonel of
the Regiment		Major General R K B S Ketakumbura RSP
Insignia
Cap badge of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment"VIJAYABAHU INFANTRY REGIMENT" shoulder tab

History

Originally formed in 1982 and disbanded in 1983 follow its amalgamated with the 1st Battalion, Rajarata Rifles form the Gajaba Regiment, the regiment was reformed on 22 March 1990. The first colonel of the regiment was W. J. V. K Wimalarathna. The regimental centre commandant was H. S. A. Perera. On 23 April 1993, the regiment was relocated to Boyagane Camp in Kurunegala District. The Regiment consists of 25 battalions, the first of which was established in 1988. The Regiment numbers 655 officers and 16,501 other ranks. A new Regimental office was opened in January 2010. It features a herbal garden in remembrance of the soldiers from the regiment who have been killed in service.

The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment has deployed two contingents in December 2006 and June 2009 to the United Nations stabilisation mission in Haiti.[1] and on 10 December 2011, one company to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.

Training school

The Vijayabahu Infantry Training School was formed at Sinhavilluwaththa Puttlam on 15 January 1991. The first chief instructor was Upali Fernando. The school has conducted over sixty courses with nearly three hundred recruits per course. Over 13,127 recruits have been trained for distribution to various regiments. Special arms courses for officers and men have also been conducted at the school.

Welfare activities

The regiment provides death insurance for officers and other ranks. The Regiment Centre also runs the Vijayabahu Motocross, a popular annual motor racing event. The regiment has its own motor racing track, built in 1998. The aim of the motocross is to generate funds to provide welfare facilities for the families of the officers and other ranks killed or missing in action. It also aims to improve infrastructure facilities and rehabilitation work for disabled soldiers.

Sports activities

The regiment sports a volleyball team who won the champions of the Army "A" Division volleyball tournament of 2011. Disabled soldiers of the regiment participated in the Asian Para Games – 2011, as well as Commonwealth Para Games 2011.

Seva Vanitha activities

The Vijayabahu Seva Vanitha Branch (wives' auxiliary) supports the families of fallen soldiers. They have taken steps to facilitate the constructions work of Abimansala – Brave Hearts Wellness Resort for totally disabled war heroes by donating Rs 1.5 million on 2 September 2010, Rs 100,000.00 on 1 October 2010, Rs 5.45 million on 4 October 2010 and Rs 6 million on 11 July 2011. The total fundraising was Rs 13.05 million. The Branch has held commemoration ceremonies for the families of the killed and missing officers on 3 July 2010 and 14 May 2011 and has built 19 houses for the families of fallen and missing soldiers. The women visit Ranaviru Sevana, Military and Mental Hospital, Mullariyawa.

Recipients of the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya

Recipients of the Weerodara Vibhushanaya

Fallen Officers
  • Colonel Gamini Fernando  † 1 June 1995 – Commanding Officer of 1st Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
  • Colonel Nizam Dane  † 24 June 1997– Commanding Officer of the 10th Battalion of the Vijayaba Infantry Regiment
  • Lt. Colonel T. R. A. Aliba  † 18 July 1996- Commanding Officer of the 6th Battalion of the Vijayaba Infantry Regiment in the Battle of Mullaitivu (1996)
  • Lt. Colonel N. H. K Silva  † 18 July 1996
  • Major Janaka Kasturiarachchi  † 18 July 1996 – Brigade Major, 25 Brigade in the Battle of Mullaitivu (1996)[2]
  • Major C. N. Siyambalangoda  †

Units
No Unit Formed Formed at Disbanded Notes
11st Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment10 November 1988Malay Street
22nd (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment12 November 1988Tissawewa
33rd (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment4 December 1989Sandunpura, DehiattakandiyaFirst commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel S.D. Lankadeva
44th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment1 August 1989Kandy
55th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment20 March 1990Sinahavilluwatta, Puttlam
66th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment17 August 1990Army Training School at MaduruoyaFirst commanding officer was Major G.M. Rockwood.
77th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment3 November 1992Sinhavilluwatta, Puttlam
88th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment23 August 1993Sinhavilluwatta, Puttlam5th (Reinforcement) Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment raised on 23 August 1993, re-designated as 8th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on 23 August 1993
99th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment6 September 1996Elephantpass
1010th (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment1 June 1994Monkeybridge Camp at Trincomalee
1111th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment10 January 1997Achchuveli, JaffanaThis Battalion was amalgamated with 4th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on 10 October 1990 and was de-amalgamated on 15 November 2007
1212th (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment10 January 1997Nunavil
1314th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment8 January 2008Nelumwewa
1415th (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment1 December 2007Sadunpara, Dehiaththakandiya22 January 2019
1516th (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment7 July 2008Punani04 February 2019
1617th (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment2 January 2009Boyagane
1718th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment21 October 2008Mallavi
1819th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment1 January 2009Kilinochchi
1920th (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment13 March 2009Kokeliya Army Camp in Vauniya
2021st (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment12 August 2009Jaffna30 March 2012
2122nd Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment23 September 2009Kallar
2223rd Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment24 November 2009Vellikkulam, Nedunkeni
2324th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment4 March 2010Panagoda
2425th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment1 December 2008Disbanded1st Reinforcement Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment raised on 1 December 2008 and later renamed as the 25th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment.
2526th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry RegimentDisbanded
2627th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment20 May 2009GajasinghepuraDisbanded3rd Reinforcement Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment which was later renamed as the 27th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
27Headquarters battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment23 August 1993Sihavilluwatta, Puttlam

See also

References
  1. Tenth UN Peace Keeping Contingent to Leave Soon Archived 26 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Soldiers missing in action: Anguished families still knocking on doors". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
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