Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
Encyclopedia
The Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) is the first rifle regiment
in the Sri Lanka Army and the second oldest infantry regiment in the army. It is made up of seven regular battalions, five volunteer battalions and a headquarter battalion. Headquartered at the Ambepussa Camp.
at Diyatalawa
. The first battalion primarily consisted of 60 officers and other ranks from the Ceylon Light Infantry with Lt Col R.D. Jayathilaka MBE
as the first commanding officer.
The D company of the volunteer Ceylon Light Infantry was transformed into the Rajarata Rifles
under the leadership of Lt Col (later Colonel) S.D. Ratwatte went on to become the 2nd volunteer battalion of the Sinha Regiment on 1 October 1956. On 1 October 1969 the 3rd volunteer battalion of the Sinha Regiment was formed at Hill School in Nuwara Eliya
.
The regiment first saw action during the 1971 Insurrection and underwent an expansion with escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War
. With the expansion of the regiment the Regimental Centre of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment was established on 9 May 1988 at Diyatalawa
at the same location where the 1st battalion of the Sinha Regiment was raised. Brig D Wijesingha was the fist Regimental Commander. Later, on 21 October 1989 the Regimental Centre was relocated at Ambepussa Camp where the 1st battalion of the Sinha Regiment was at that time. The regiment has distinguished its self greatly during the Sri Lankan Civil War
including having two Parama Weera Vibhushanaya
and one Weerodara Vibhushanaya
recipients. In 1990 the elements of the 6th battalion successfully held the old Dutch fort of Jaffna for two months while surrounded and under siege until it was relieved by the subsequent Operation Thrividha Balaya
. July 1991 the 6th battalion garrisoned Elephant Pass
base when it came under siege with the LTTE launching a massive attack on the base. The battalion held out what was terned the battle of all battles until it was relieved following Operation Balavegaya
18 days later.
On 3 May 2005 a contingent of troops from the regiment took part in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti
.
The Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment is the only regiment in the history of the Sri Lanka Army to produce an army commander holding the rank of a full General (Four Star) as indicated in the notable members area.
Light infantry
Traditionally light infantry were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. Light infantry was distinct from medium, heavy or line infantry. Heavy infantry were dedicated primarily to fighting in tight...
in the Sri Lanka Army and the second oldest infantry regiment in the army. It is made up of seven regular battalions, five volunteer battalions and a headquarter battalion. Headquartered at the Ambepussa Camp.
History
Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment was the first rifle regiment of the Sri Lanka Army and was formed on 1 October 1956 at the Imperial campDiyatalawa Garrison
The Diyatalawa Garrison is a common name used for collection of military bases of the Sri Lanka Army located in and around the garrison town Diyatalawa in the Uva Province. Sometimes it is referred to as the Diyatalawa Cantonment. It is one of the oldest military garrisons in Sri Lanka...
at Diyatalawa
Diyatalawa
Diyatalawa is a garrison town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, in the Badulla District of Uva Province. It is at an altitude of and has become a popular destination for local holiday makers...
. The first battalion primarily consisted of 60 officers and other ranks from the Ceylon Light Infantry with Lt Col R.D. Jayathilaka MBE
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
as the first commanding officer.
The D company of the volunteer Ceylon Light Infantry was transformed into the Rajarata Rifles
Rajarata Rifles
The Rajarata Rifles was a former rifle regiment of the Sri Lanka Army. The regiment saw action in the 1971 JVP Insurrection and the Sri Lankan Civil War before it was amalgamated with the 1st Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment in 1983 to form the Gajaba Regiment. Raised along with Ruhunu...
under the leadership of Lt Col (later Colonel) S.D. Ratwatte went on to become the 2nd volunteer battalion of the Sinha Regiment on 1 October 1956. On 1 October 1969 the 3rd volunteer battalion of the Sinha Regiment was formed at Hill School in Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya , meaning "city on the plain " or "city of light", is a town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is located at an altitude of 1,868 m and is considered to be the most important location for Tea production in Sri Lanka...
.
The regiment first saw action during the 1971 Insurrection and underwent an expansion with 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...
. With the expansion of the regiment the Regimental Centre of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment was established on 9 May 1988 at Diyatalawa
Diyatalawa
Diyatalawa is a garrison town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, in the Badulla District of Uva Province. It is at an altitude of and has become a popular destination for local holiday makers...
at the same location where the 1st battalion of the Sinha Regiment was raised. Brig D Wijesingha was the fist Regimental Commander. Later, on 21 October 1989 the Regimental Centre was relocated at Ambepussa Camp where the 1st battalion of the Sinha Regiment was at that time. The regiment has distinguished its self greatly during 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...
including having two Parama Weera Vibhushanaya
Parama Weera Vibhushanaya
Parama Weera Vibhushanaya , is the highest Sri Lankan military decoration equivalent to the British Victoria Cross , or the United States Medal of Honor, that's awarded as a reward for all ranks of the tri services individual acts of gallantry...
and one Weerodara Vibhushanaya
Weerodara Vibhushanaya
The Weerodara Vibhushanaya medal and bar are the second highest Sri Lankan military decoration that is presented to soldiers and civilians as a reward for their individual acts of gallantry and prominent bravery of a most exceptional order performed which is of a non military nature of their own...
recipients. In 1990 the elements of the 6th battalion successfully held the old Dutch fort of Jaffna for two months while surrounded and under siege until it was relieved by the subsequent Operation Thrividha Balaya
Operation Thrividha Balaya
Operation Thrividha Balaya was a combined military operation launched by the Sri Lankan Military in Jaffna. The Operation was carried out to break the siege of the Sri Lanka Army garrison of the old Dutch Jaffna Fort in Jaffna. The operation was successfully carried out and the garrison withdrawn....
. July 1991 the 6th battalion garrisoned Elephant Pass
Elephant Pass
Elephant Pass, Northern Province, Sri Lanka is an important military base and formerly the island's largest salt field, located in the gateway of Jaffna Peninsula. It has thus regularly been the site of battles during the civil war....
base when it came under siege with the LTTE launching a massive attack on the base. The battalion held out what was terned the battle of all battles until it was relieved following 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...
18 days later.
On 3 May 2005 a contingent of troops from the regiment took part in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti
United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti
The United Nations Stabilisation Mission In Haiti , also known as MINUSTAH, an acronym of the French translation, is a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti that has been in operation since 2004. The mission's military component is led by the Brazilian Army and the force commander is...
.
The Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment is the only regiment in the history of the Sri Lanka Army to produce an army commander holding the rank of a full General (Four Star) as indicated in the notable members area.
Regular Army
- 1st Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 4th Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 6th Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 7th Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 8th Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 9th Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 10th Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 12th Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 14th Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 16th Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 20rd Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 21rd Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 23rd Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 24th Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 25th Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 26th Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 27th Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 28th Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- RHQ Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
Volunteers
- 2nd(v) Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 3rd(v) Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 5th(v) Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 11th(v) Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 15th(v) Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 17th(v) Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 18th(v) Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 19th(v) Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- 22rd(v) Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
Recipient of the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya
- Captain Saliya Upul AladeniyaSaliya Upul AladeniyaCaptain Saliya Upul Aladeniya PWV, WWV, SLRS was the second recipient of the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya, highest war time award for valour of the Sri Lanka Military...
- Corporal Gamini KularatneGamini KularatneCorporal Gamini Kularatne PWV, SLSR , called the Hasalaka Hero , was a Sri Lankan soldier. He was the first recipient of the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya, the highest award for gallantry awarded by the Sri Lanka Army.- Early life :Gamini Kularatne was the second son of a family of four brothers and...
Notable Members
- GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Sarath FonsekaSarath FonsekaGardihewa Sarath Chandralal Fonseka, known as Sarath Fonseka is a former commander and General of the Sri Lanka Army and a former candidate for President of Sri Lanka. As Commander of the Army, he played an instrumental role in ending the 26 year Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009, defeating the...
, RWPRana Wickrama PadakkamaThe Rana Wickrama Padakkama medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan military officers and other ranks as a reward for individual or allied acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord.-How medal awarded:It is ordained that the decoration shall be granted to all ranks of...
, RSPRana Sura PadakkamaThe Rana Sura Padakkama is a medal presented to members of all ranks of the Military of Sri Lanka for individual and/or associated acts of heroism in facing the enemy and performed of their own accord. The decoration is presented by the President of Sri Lanka...
, VSVVishista Seva VibhushanayaThe Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya medal and bar are presented to Sri Lankan senior military officers of three services, given that their loyal service is of not less than 25 years and possess a perfectly flawless record of moral and military conduct, will be appropriate for the award...
, USPUttama Seva PadakkamaThe Uttama Seva Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Sri Lankan military for valuable service and dedication to duty with the outstanding ability, merit and excellent conduct, given that they count not less than 15 years continuous and uninterrupted service and possess...
, rcds, psc - Former Commander of the Sri Lanka ArmyCommander of the Army (Sri Lanka)Commander of the Army is the title of the professional head of the Sri Lanka Army. The current Commander of the Army is Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya...
. - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
A.R. Udugama, MBEMBEMBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
- Former Commander of the Ceylon ArmyCommander of the Army (Sri Lanka)Commander of the Army is the title of the professional head of the Sri Lanka Army. The current Commander of the Army is Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya... - Lt. Col D.W. Hapuarachchi - Commanding Officer - 1st Bn SLSR, Founder Commanding Officer Sri Lanka National GuardSri Lanka National GuardThe Sri Lanka National Guard is the largest regiment in the Sri Lanka Army. It is a Volunteer Regiment made up of 32 battalions coming under the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force.-History:The Sri Lanka National Guard was founded by Lt. Col. D.W...
- MajorMajorMajor is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
D.M.L.B.Dissanayake RSPRSP-Music:* RSP , a Japanese hip-hop and R&B group* Rubber Soul Project, a Serbian rock music band-Computers and technology:* Remote Serial Port, an extension to the Telnet protocol* Reality signal processor, a component of the Nintendo 64...
- Commanding Officer - 15th Bn SLSR - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
H.S Hapuarachchi, - Former Chief of StaffChief of StaffThe title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
, Sri Lanka Army. - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Gemunu KulatungeGemunu KulatungeMajor General Gemunu Kulatunge, RSP, USP, ndc, psc, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment is a Sri Lankan general, who was the former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army....
, RSPRSP-Music:* RSP , a Japanese hip-hop and R&B group* Rubber Soul Project, a Serbian rock music band-Computers and technology:* Remote Serial Port, an extension to the Telnet protocol* Reality signal processor, a component of the Nintendo 64...
, USPUttama Seva PadakkamaThe Uttama Seva Padakkama is presented to all ranks of the Regular Forces of the Sri Lankan military for valuable service and dedication to duty with the outstanding ability, merit and excellent conduct, given that they count not less than 15 years continuous and uninterrupted service and possess...
- Former Deputy Chief of StaffChief of StaffThe title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
, Sri Lanka Army. - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Susantha Mendis -Former Brigade Commander, 512 Brigade.