Naval Patrolmen
Encyclopedia
Naval Patrolmen Branch is a branch
of the Sri Lanka Navy that performs the role of naval infantry. Effectively members of this branch are soldiers of the navy. Originally limited for base and harbors security, in recent years Naval Patrolmen have taken parting offensive and defensive operations against the LTTE in conjunction with the Sri Lanka Army or independently, using both infantry
and light armored
units. It has also taken part in amphibious
operations.
duties on many occasions since the formation of the Royal Ceylon Navy in 1950. Regularly naval personal were deployed to support the police to control civil disobedience along with the Army during many harthals and riots during the 50's and 60's. During the 1962 coup d'état attempt the internal security personnel of the navy were detailed to guard Prime Minister's House
(Temple Trees). In 1971 navy personal were deployed in various parts of the island to suppress communist insurgents during the 1971 JVP Insurrection. Since the 1970s up until the late 1980's the navy personal guarded the Broadcasting Corporation
station in Colombo.
With the escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War
and increased threat to naval bases that where lunching pads for naval operations to curb LTTE sea movements, the Vice Admiral
Ananda Silva, the Commander of the Navy
instituted the formation of the Naval Patrolmen Branch in 1987 to carry out operations on land. This unit was formed primary as a protective force for base and port security, but increased its numbers and scope for amphibious and land combat operations. To archive its objectives the patrolmen are equipped with light arms and have mortar
s, Unibuffel
light armored vehicles.
Naval Patrolmen have taken part in several major combat operations along side Army units, these include Operation Sea Breeze
, Operation Balavegaya
, Operation Riviresa
and Operation Jayasikurui
. Its personal fought till the biter end during the Battle of Pooneryn
. During the last part of the civil war known as the Eelam War IV
Naval Patrolmen garrisoned and defended the government controlled islands around the Jaffna Peninsula
such as Delft Island and Kayts
.
Since 1987, the Naval Patrolmen frequently mounts the guard at the Presidents House
, and carry out other ceremonial duties.
At first the primary role was harbor and base security, but increased its numbers and scope for amphibious and land combat operations. In recent years with expansion of the number of battalions, patrolmen have begun supporting the Sri Lanka Army in manning defence lines in the north central part of the country and taking part in offensive operations jointly or independently. This led to the formation of the North Central Command (which covers a landlocked area). The security of the Colombo harbor
, along with all other harbors in the country is handled by the navy, as the Sri Lanka Navy is the Designated Authority for implementing International Ships and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Sri Lanka. To achieve its objectives, patrolmen are equipped with light arms and have mortar
s and light amoured vehicles
.
The units Training Centre is located at SLNS Pandukabaya.
Mortars
Small arms
Handguns
Assault Rifles
Sub-Machine guns
Machine guns
Sniper Rifles
Grenade launchers
Rocket launchers
Branch
A branch or tree branch is a woody structural member connected to but not part of the central trunk of a tree...
of the Sri Lanka Navy that performs the role of naval infantry. Effectively members of this branch are soldiers of the navy. Originally limited for base and harbors security, in recent years Naval Patrolmen have taken parting offensive and defensive operations against the LTTE in conjunction with the Sri Lanka Army or independently, using both infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
and light armored
Buffel
The Buffel is a mine-protected APC used by the South African Army during the South African Border War. The Buffel was also used as an armoured fighting vehicle and proved itself in this role...
units. It has also taken part in amphibious
Amphibious warfare
Amphibious warfare is the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. In previous eras it stood as the primary method of delivering troops to non-contiguous enemy-held terrain...
operations.
History
Naval personal have been deployed on shore patrolShore patrol
Shore patrol are service members that are provided to aid in security for the U.S. Navy, United States Coast Guard, United States Marine Corps, and the British Royal Navy while on shore...
duties on many occasions since the formation of the Royal Ceylon Navy in 1950. Regularly naval personal were deployed to support the police to control civil disobedience along with the Army during many harthals and riots during the 50's and 60's. During the 1962 coup d'état attempt the internal security personnel of the navy were detailed to guard Prime Minister's House
Prime Minister's House (Colombo)
Prime Minister's House, most commonly known as Temple Trees, is the official residence of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. It is located in Colombo, Sri Lanka...
(Temple Trees). In 1971 navy personal were deployed in various parts of the island to suppress communist insurgents during the 1971 JVP Insurrection. Since the 1970s up until the late 1980's the navy personal guarded the Broadcasting Corporation
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation
The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation came into existence on January 5, 1967 when Radio Ceylon became a public corporation. Dudley Senanayake who was the Prime Minister of Ceylon in 1967 ceremonially opened the newly established Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation along with Minister Ranasinghe...
station in Colombo.
With the escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War
Sri Lankan civil war
The Sri Lankan Civil War was a conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. Beginning on July 23, 1983, there was an on-and-off insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization which fought to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil...
and increased threat to naval bases that where lunching pads for naval operations to curb LTTE sea movements, the Vice Admiral
Vice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
Ananda Silva, the Commander of the Navy
Commander of the Navy (Sri Lanka)
The Commander of the Navy is the professional head of the Sri Lanka Navy. The current Commander of the Navy is Vice Admiral D.W.S. Dissanayake...
instituted the formation of the Naval Patrolmen Branch in 1987 to carry out operations on land. This unit was formed primary as a protective force for base and port security, but increased its numbers and scope for amphibious and land combat operations. To archive its objectives the patrolmen are equipped with light arms and have mortar
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
s, Unibuffel
Unibuffel
The Unibuffel is a mine-protected wheeled APC used by the Sri Lankan military.-Production history:Although similar to the South African Buffel, it is built entirely by the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers...
light armored vehicles.
Naval Patrolmen have taken part in several major combat operations along side Army units, these include Operation Sea Breeze
Operation Sea Breeze
The Operation Sea Breeze may refer to the*Operation Sea Breeze by the Sri Lankan Military in 1990.*Gaza flotilla raid by the Israeli Navy in 2010....
, Operation Balavegaya
Operation Balavegaya
Operation Balavegaya was a combined military operation launched by the Sri Lankan Military in Jaffna. It was the largest amphibious assault launched by the Sri Lankan Military in its history. Operation Balavegaya was launched in response to siege of Elephant Pass by the LTTE terrorists...
, Operation Riviresa
Operation Riviresa
Operation Riviresa , was a combined military operation launched by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces in Jaffna. Starting on the 17 October 1995, the primary objective of the operation was the capture of the town of Jaffna and rest of the Jaffna peninsula from the LTTE...
and Operation Jayasikurui
Operation Jayasikurui
Operation Jayasikurui , was a Sri Lankan military action launched on May 13, 1997; it lasted until it was called off in 1999...
. Its personal fought till the biter end during the Battle of Pooneryn
Battle of Pooneryn
The Battle of Pooneryn was a battle fought on November 11, 1993 for the town of Pooneryn.-Background:The main target of the LTTE in the shorline offensive was the Sri Lankan government naval base at Pooneryn...
. During the last part of the civil war known as the Eelam War IV
Eelam War IV
Eelam War IV is the name given to the fourth phase of armed conflict between the Sri Lankan military and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which is currently proscribed as a terrorist organisation by 32 countries . Renewed hostilities began on the July 26, 2006 when Sri Lanka Air...
Naval Patrolmen garrisoned and defended the government controlled islands around the Jaffna Peninsula
Jaffna Peninsula
The Jaffna Peninsula is an area in Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It is home to the capital city of the province, Jaffna and comprises much of the former land mass of the ancient Tamil kingdoms of the Nagas and the medieval Jaffna kingdom. The peninsula is mostly surrounded by water, connected to...
such as Delft Island and Kayts
Kayts
Kayts , is one of the important villages in Velanai Island which is a small island off the coast of Jaffna Peninsula in the North of Sri Lanka. There are number of other villages within the Velanai Island such as Allaipiddy, Mankumpan, Velanai, Saravanai, Puliyankoodal, Suruvil, Naranthanai and...
.
Since 1987, the Naval Patrolmen frequently mounts the guard at the Presidents House
President's House, Colombo
President's House is the official residence of the President of Sri Lanka, located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It used to be the Queen's House until Sri Lanka became a Republic in 1972.-History:...
, and carry out other ceremonial duties.
Organisation and current role
Officers and patrolmen are organized into battalions based at naval bases island wide and independent detachments. All units come under the command of Director Naval Land Operations, who in turn reports to Director General (Operations), however individual units come under that command of the Naval Area Command that they belong too.At first the primary role was harbor and base security, but increased its numbers and scope for amphibious and land combat operations. In recent years with expansion of the number of battalions, patrolmen have begun supporting the Sri Lanka Army in manning defence lines in the north central part of the country and taking part in offensive operations jointly or independently. This led to the formation of the North Central Command (which covers a landlocked area). The security of the Colombo harbor
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, along with all other harbors in the country is handled by the navy, as the Sri Lanka Navy is the Designated Authority for implementing International Ships and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Sri Lanka. To achieve its objectives, patrolmen are equipped with light arms and have mortar
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
s and light amoured vehicles
Armoured fighting vehicle
An armoured fighting vehicle is a combat vehicle, protected by strong armour and armed with weapons. AFVs can be wheeled or tracked....
.
The units Training Centre is located at SLNS Pandukabaya.
Weapons
Land vehicles- UnibuffelUnibuffelThe Unibuffel is a mine-protected wheeled APC used by the Sri Lankan military.-Production history:Although similar to the South African Buffel, it is built entirely by the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers...
- Mine-protectedLand mineA land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....
APCArmoured personnel carrierAn armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars... - UnicornUnicorn classThe Unicorn is a mine-protected wheeled APC used by the Sri Lankan military.-Production history:Initial research into producing a "Blast Protected Vehicle" armoured personnel carrier was begun in 1983 by a lone Infantry Major named Jayantha de Silva who was concerned by the destruction wrought by...
- Mine-protected APC - Land Rover Defender
Mortars
- Type 84 (W84) 82 mm mortars
- Type 89 60 mm mortars
Small arms
Handguns
- BerettaBerettaFabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta is an Italian firearms manufacturer. Their firearms are used worldwide for a variety of civilian, law enforcement, and military purposes. It is also known for manufacturing shooting clothes and accessories. Beretta is the oldest active firearms manufacturer in the...
M9 PistolM9 PistolThe Beretta M9, formally Pistol, Semiautomatic, 9mm, M9, is a 9×19mm Parabellum pistol of the United States military adopted in 1985. It is essentially a military specification Beretta 92F, later the 92FS.... - Enfield revolverEnfield revolverEnfield Revolver is the name applied to two totally separate models of self-extracting British handgun designed and manufactured at the government-owned Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield; initially the .476 calibre Revolver Enfield Mk I/Mk II revolvers , and later the .38/200 calibre Enfield No...
Assault Rifles
- Type 81Type 81 Assault RifleThe Type 81 assault rifle was the principal automatic rifle used by the Chinese People's Liberation Army from the mid-1980s until 1995. It incorporates elements of the Dragunov Sniper Rifle, SKS, and AK series rifles in general looks...
Assault rifles - M16M16 rifleThe M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
Assault rifles
Sub-Machine guns
- Uzi Submachine GunSubmachine gunA submachine gun is an automatic carbine, designed to fire pistol cartridges. It combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the cartridge of a pistol. The submachine gun was invented during World War I , but the apex of its use was during World War II when millions of the weapon type were...
s
Machine guns
- PK machine gunPK machine gunThe PK is a 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun designed in the Soviet Union and currently in production in Russia. The PK machine gun was introduced in the 1960s and replaced the SGM and RPD machine guns in Soviet service...
s (Chinese version of Russian PKMPK machine gunThe PK is a 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun designed in the Soviet Union and currently in production in Russia. The PK machine gun was introduced in the 1960s and replaced the SGM and RPD machine guns in Soviet service...
) - Type 56 LMG (Chinese version of Russian RPDRPDThe RPD is a 7.62mm light machine gun developed in the Soviet Union by Vasily Degtyaryov for the intermediate 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge. It was created as a replacement for the DP machine gun chambered for the 7.62x54mmR Mosin rifle round...
)
Sniper Rifles
- Dragunov Sniper Rifles
Grenade launchers
- M203M203 grenade launcherThe M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilize the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. Though versatile, and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was...
Grenade launcher
Rocket launchers
- Type 69 RPGType 69 RPGThe Type 69 85mm rocket propelled grenade , made by Norinco, is a Chinese copy of the famous RPG-7 developed by the Soviet Union. First introduced in the early 1970s, the Type 69 RPG is a common individual anti-tank weapon in service with the PLA...
Rocket launchers (ChineseChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
version of RPG-7RPG-7The RPG-7 is a widely-produced, portable, unguided, shoulder-launched, anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Originally the RPG-7 and its predecessor, the RPG-2, were designed by the Soviet Union, and now manufactured by the Bazalt company...
)
See also
- Military of Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Navy
- Military ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka NavyMilitary ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka NavyThe following tables present the military ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka Navy. These ranks generally correspond with those of Western or Commonwealth Nations militaries, and reflect those of the British Warrant Officer, Non Commissioned Officer and enlisted ranks and the Commissioned officer...
- Sri Lanka Air Force RegimentSri Lanka Air Force RegimentThe Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment is a specialized ground combat corps within the Sri Lanka Air Force , responsible for capturing and defending airfields and associated installations. Its members are the SLAF Regiment Officers and the airmen of operations ground specialization...