With the rapid expansion of the Sri Lanka Army, the requirement of Engineer Services within the Army was steeply increased. So the Engineer Services Regiment felt the necessity of a Volunteer unit in order to cater those requirements. Although the Construction Projects that were to be executed by the Engineer Services Regiment, were being carried out by the 4 Field Engineer Regiment (Vol) of Sri Lanka Engineers, 4 SLE was not able to carry out all the Construction Projects that were entrusted with the Engineer Services Regiment.
Hence, according to a request made by the Colonel Commandant Corps of Engineer Services and the Director Engineer Services Brigadier P De S Daluwatte USP,on the approval of the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General RS Daluwatte RWP, RSP, USP, wdc, psc, the 4 Engineer Services Regiment was raised under the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force , with effect from 21 August, 1996.
As per the raising instructions, the 4 Engineer Services Regiment was established in the 112 Bde AOR at the Lathe Workshop premises that belonged to Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Factory, that was located at Kaviraja Road, Wekada, Panadura. Initially a staff consisting of Maj SAS Siriwardhana SLE,Maj GRP Jayathilake SLE, Maj DMK Meegaswatte SLE, Maj NUL Jayalath SLE , Maj HR Haputhota SLE and 5 Other Ranks who belonged to 4 Sri Lanka Engineers (Vol) reported to form the 4 (V) Engineer Services Regiment and contributed to establish and function the new Unit.
On 21 August 1996 Major SAS Siriwardhana SLE assumed duties as the first Officiating Commanding Officer of the Unit. Maj GRP Jayathilake SLE was appointed as the first Second in Command, Capt (QM) GPH Somarathna SLE was appointed as the first Quarter Master Officer and WOI KG Sugathapala was appointed as the first Regimental Sergeant Major.
Due to the Tsunami disaster that took place on 26 December 2004, the Buildings and Properties of Sri Sumangala Boys College at Nalluruwa, Panadura were damaged. When the parents informed the His Excellency the President that the School can’t be continued in the same location, actions were taken to re-establish the School at Wekada, 4 ESR Camp premises and the 4 Engineer Services Regiment (Vol) was relocated at Sri Sumangala Boys College premises at Nalluruwa, Panadura.
Presently the Regiment is commanded by Lt Col GA Bandula USP Lsc CES. The present approved Unit Establishment is 58 Officers and 1085 Other Ranks.
