Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
| Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active |
1 December 1980 – October 1983 15 November 1988 – Present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Army |
| Type | Line Infantry |
| Role | Infantry |
| Size | 25 battalions |
| Regimental Centre | Boyagane 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 "- |
| Engagements |
Sri Lankan Civil War, United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti United Nations Stabilization Mission in Lebanon |
| Commanders | |
| Centre Commandant | Brigadier WS Ariyasinghe RSP |
| Colonel of the Regiment | Major General KC Gunawadana RWP USP ndu |
The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was formed on 22 March 1990. It is one of the foremost infantry units in Sri Lanka and is named after Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa (King Vijayabahu, 1055–1110 AD). The first colonel of the regiment was then Brigadier W. J. V. K Wimalarathna RWP RSP USP PSC and the regimental centre commandant was Lieutenant Colonel HSA Perera. On 23 April 1993, the regiment was relocated to Boyagane Camp in Kurunegala District. Currently the Vijayabahu Regiment consists of 25 battalions. The first battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was established in 1988. There are 17 regular battalions, 9 volunteer battalions and a headquarters battalion.
History
In January 2010, a newly constructed office building for the regiment was declared open by a commander of the army. In addition, a colorful motor racing track was constructed and herbal plants were planted in the regimental premises under the guidance of the present regimental commander. This herbal garden was planted in remembrance of the soldiers from the regiment who have been killed on operations. A total of 655 officers and 16,501 other ranks presently serve in the regiment in its regular and volunteer battalions. Starting from Mavil Aru to the last victorious Wanni Humanitarian Operation, all battalions have played significant roles. VIR battalions have been involved at critical and decisive moments during volatile combat operations.
Training school
The Vijayabahu Infantry Training School was formed at Sinhavilluwaththa Puttlam on 15 January 1991; the first chief instructor was Major Upali Fernando. 62 recruit training courses were conducted and 13,127 recruits were trained and distributed to various regiments by the training school. Nearly 300 recruits were trained at a time. Special arms courses for officers and men were also conducted in the school.
Welfare activities
The regiment has death donation schemes for both officers and other ranks to obtain Rs 50,000.00 for the demise a next of kin in the family. Buildings have been constructed to upgrade the accommodation of officers and mess.
The Regiment Centre organizes the Vijayabahu Motocross, which is a popular annual motor racing event in the country. 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 in action (KIA) and missing in action (MIA) It also aims to improve infrastructure facilities and rehabilitation work of the disabled soldiers as well as serving officers and other ranks for a very worthy cause.
Regiment sport activities
The VIR has performed well in sport activities. It has won several prizes locally as well as internationally. The efficient sportsmen in VIR, always put their utmost effort for keeping the VIR flag high. VIR is a Volleyball team of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was the champions of the Army "A" Division volleyball tournament held in 2011. Furthermore; the 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 has great honour regarding the relations of KIA and the WIA war heroes. These ladies contributions towards them are immense. 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 was handed over on 11 July 2011 in various occasions by generating several fundraising projects; Total amount was Rs 13.05 million. Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was the highest contributor for the "Abimansala" among all the other regiments.
Furthermore, the Seva Vanitha Branch of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment organized commemoration ceremonies for the families of the killed/missing officers and the other ranks of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment. The commemoration ceremonies were held for the families of killed/ missing officers and senior noncommissioned officers on 3 July 2010 and 14 May 2011 respectively. The commemoration ceremony for noncommissioned officers also will be held and this ceremony is scheduled to be held yearly. During these ceremonies NOKS were planted herbal plants to commemorate their war heroes who made the supreme sacrifice for well being of the country. The herbal garden is being maintained by the regiment.
The Seva Vanitha Branch of the regiment has coordinated to build 19 houses for the families of the killed/missing in action war heroes and the disabled of the regiment after the humanitarian operation.
The Seva Vanitha unit visits Ranaviru Sevana, Military Hospital, Mental Hospital Mullariyawa and donated gift parcels to the patients during the musical extravaganzas.
Special regimental roles
The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment has deployed two contingents to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti,[1] and one company to the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. The first contingent was sent in December 2006 and the second in June 2009, while the company that deployed to Lebanon departed on 10 December 2011. As military observers, 11 officers of the regiment are currently serving in various countries.
For the first time in regimental history, the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment organized their Officers Dinner Night at Hotel Heritance Kandalama on 25 August 2011. The commander of the army graced the occasion as the chief guest.
Fallen Officers
- Colonel Gamini Fernando † 1 June 1995 – Commanding Officer of 1st Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
Units
Regular battalions
- 1st Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 4th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 5th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 6th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 7th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 8th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 9th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 11th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 14th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 18th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 19th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 22nd Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 23rd Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 24th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 25th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
Volunteer battalions
- 2nd(v) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 3rd(v) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 10th(v) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 12th(V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 15th(v) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 16th (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- 17th(V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
- and the regiment contains a headquarters battalion as well
Order of precedence
| Preceded by Gajaba Regiment |
Order of Precedence | Succeeded by Mechanized Infantry Regiment |
See also
References
External links and sources
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