Gajaba Regiment
The Gajaba Regiment (GR) is an infantry regiment of the Sri Lankan Army. Formed when 1st Battalion the Rajarata Rifles and 1st Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment were amalgamated in 1983. It is made up of six regular battalions and five volunteer battalions. Headquartered at Saliyapura Camp, Anuradhapura. It is named after a Sri Lankan famous warrior King Gajabahu the First.
| Gajaba Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | October 14, 1983 - Present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Infantry warfare |
| Size | 22 battalions |
| Regimental Centre | Saliyapura Camp, Anuradhapura. |
| Nickname(s) | Keterians (Battle Axes) |
| Motto(s) | ‘Samagiya Shakthiyai' (Unity is Strength) |
| Colors | Light green |
| Anniversaries | 14 October (Regimental day) |
| Engagements | Sri Lankan Civil War, United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti |
| Decorations | 2 Parama Weera Vibhushanayas |
| Commanders | |
| Centre Commandant | Brigadier WMJRK Senarathna |
| Colonel of the Regiment | Maj Gen Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc |
| Notable commanders | Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne RWP, RSP, VSP, USP, GR † |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | "GAJABA" shoulder tab |
History
The 1st battalion of the Regiment was formed on 14 October 1983 with the amalgamation of the Rajarata Rifles and Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, under the command of Lt. Col. (later Major General) Vijaya Wimalaratne at Saliyapura Camp. The Cap badge of the Gajaba Regiment is designed with a shield, two Keteri (battle axes) and a Kandian powder flask. The regiment rapidly expanded due to the Sri Lankan Civil War, during which 3,500 officers and men of the regiment were killed.[1]
The regiment was awarded President's Colours by H.E. President Mahinda Rajapakse on 11 January 2007. In 2008 a detachment from the regiment was sent to take part in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.[2]
Units
Regular Army
- 1st Gajaba Battalion
- 3rd Gajaba Battalion
- 6th Gajaba Battalion
- 8th Gajaba Battalion
- 9th Gajaba Battalion
- 10th Gajaba Battalion
- 12th Gajaba Battalion
- 14th Gajaba Battalion
- 16th Gajaba Battalion
- 20th Gajaba Battalion
- 21st Gajaba Battalion
- 22nd Gajaba Battalion
- 23rd Gajaba Battalion
- 24th Gajaba Battalion
- 26th Gajaba Battalion
- 27th Gajaba Battalion [3]
Volunteers
- 2nd(v) Gajaba Battalion
- 5th(v) Gajaba Battalion
- 7th(v) Gajaba Battalion
- 11th(v) Gajaba Battalion
- 15th(v) Gajaba Battalion
- 17th(v) Gajaba Battalion
- 18th(v) Gajaba Battalion
- 19th(v) Gajaba Battalion
Recipient of the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya
Notable members
- Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne, RWP, RSP, VSP, USP † - Founder of the Gajaba Regiment.Commander Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna (SF HQ (J)) and one of the greatest and celebrated generals in modern Sri Lanka.
- Lieutenant Colonel Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, RWP, RSP - current President of Sri Lanka
- Major General Kamal Gunaratne, WWV, RWP, RSP, USP, ndc, psc - Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Defense and GOC 53rd division in Eelam war IV
- Major General Sumedha Perera, WWV, RWP, RSP, USP, ndc - Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation & Rural Development
- Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, WWV, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc - Commander of the Sri Lankan Army and GOC 58th division in Eelam war IV
- Major General Jagath Dias, WWV, RWP, RSP, USP, ndc - Adjutant General of Sri Lanka Army and GOC 57th division in Eelam war IV
- Major General Seevali Wanigasekara RWP, RSP VSV, USP, psc
- Corporal Ranjith Premasiri Madalana † - Sri Lankan army sniper
- Major Shantha Wijesinghe † - commanded the defense of Kokkilai and gained the first Battlefield promotion in the army[4]
Order of precedence
| Preceded by Gemunu Watch |
Order of Precedence | Succeeded by Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment |
See also
References
- Gajaba Regiment Silver Jubile
- "Tenth UN Peace Keeping Contingent to Leave Soo". Archived from the original on 2009-06-26. Retrieved 2009-06-26.
- "22 Gajaba Regiment Commences Functioning". Archived from the original on 2009-07-23. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
- Ferdinando, Shamindra. "Army loses hero of Kokilai battle". Island. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
