• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Sri Lanka Army - Gajaba Regiment

The Gajaba Regiment (GR) of the Army went down in the history of the Sri Lanka Army as the Regiment which produced the majority of Wanni field Commanders who led a successful battle to wipe out LTTE terrorism from the country. Those who joined the Army before 1983, knew only peace keeping during their duty assignments and only those who joined the Army afterwards, experienced the brutalities of the war. They were the people who really waged the war and experienced the bitter. In the aftermath of the successful completion of the war, GR troops have also been contributing largely to the development and peaceful co-existence of the country.

Major General Wijeya Wimalaratne founded the Gajaba Regiment on October 14, 1983 which was first established in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura. The Gajaba Regiment (GR) was formed when 1st Battalion the Rajarata Rifles and 1st Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment were amalgamated in 1983. By 1993, the 3rd Battalion of the Gajaba Regiment was deployed at Pooneryn, a strategic stronghold in the ongoing war. By 2007 the Regiment consisted of 7 Regular Units and five Volunteer Units, for a total of 12 battalions.

The 22nd Battalion of the Gajaba Regiment (GR) raised in mid-2009 commenced its official functioning after a brief ceremony held at the Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) GR in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura on 20th July 2009. This new Regular Battalion under the command of Major D.R.N. Hettiarachchi will leave for Thunukkai area for duties soon. Maj. D.R.N. Hettiarachchi will be assisted by Maj. M.N. Fernando as the Second in Command, Captain L.H.W.S.I. Silva as the Adjutant and Warrant Officer I (WO I) R.M. Ratnayake as the Regimental Sergeant Major. A few senior appointment holders at the RHQ GR attended the opening ceremony.

The first assignment away from the Army Headquarters in the New Year, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, took time off to visit the Gajaba Regiment (GR) Regimental Headquarters at Saliyapura on 03 January 2012 with a view to recording his sentimental gratitude and extending his best wishes to GR troops for the New Year.

In his capacity as Wanni Commander before May 2009, it was mostly the GR War Heroes who rolled on, together with fellow troops, to capture the heart of LTTE terrorist strongholds while sacrificing the most in terms of the numbers in action. Reminiscent of those priceless sacrifices, the Commander was of the view that he should share his sincere gratifying sentiments and New Year greetings with GR troops before any other assignments in the week. The GR Regimental Headquarters, aware of those sentimental gestures, coincided the Commander's visit with the ceremonial cornerstone-laying of a new two-storied Sergeants' Mess building and placement of special floral tribute to the founding pioneer of the GR.

Colonel of the Gajaba Regiment Major General Jagath Dias warmly received the Commander on arrival at the venue and requested him to inspect the Guard Turnout in accordance with military traditions. Soon after the reviewing, the Commander was accorded a Guard of Honour by GR troops, close to the main entrance as a token of honour to the visiting Army Chief. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya received the salute in keeping with military traditions.

The second phase of the day's itinerary commenced paying tribute to the statue of late Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne, the pioneer founder of the GR and fondly-remembered war veteran in the Army. Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya placed a floral wreath and paid his respect to his memory. During his colourful career, he had the distinction of raising the formidable Gajaba Regiment. He nurtured, trained and guided the Officers and the Men and made the battalion an effective fighting unit. The nucleus he created in the battalion became a catalyst and the performance of the Gajaba Battalion later is ample testimony to his leadership and vision.

The Sri Lanka Gajaba Regiment commemorated its 25th Anniversary on Jun 7, 2009. The commemoration ceremony was held at the Gajaba Regiment Headquarters at Saliyapura in Anuradhapura. The Defence Secretary paid floral tributes to the Ranaviru Monument in memory of soldiers who made supreme sacrifices on behalf of the motherland. The foundation stone was laid for a new building at the Regiment Headquarters premises in view of the proud victory achieved by the war heroes. The Defence Secretary inquired into the welfare of the Gajaba Regiment Officers and members of other ranks injured in the operations. He highly appreciated the task discharged by them in liberating the motherland from brutal terrorism.

The services discharged by Gothabaya Rajapaksa as a Commanding Officer of the Gajaba Regiment at that time came in for acclamation. A notable feature was the participating of four Commanders of the Gajaba Regiment in the humanitarian operations. They are Major General Kamal Gunaratne, Major General Jagath Dias, Brigadier Vagi Gallage and Brigadier Shavendra Silva.