HISTORY OF 1ST BATTALION THE GAJABA REGIMENT
In late 70's the necessity of increasing infantry battalions emerged in countering the insurgency and maintaining the integrity of the country. To accomplish this requirement, the Sri Lanka Army 1st Rajarata Rifle Battalion was established on 15th January in 1980. Initially the battalion was located at the Area Headquarters (North Central) Anuradhapura and later it was relocated at saliyapura. After a brief period on 15th March 1981, 1st Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was established in Irattaperiyakulam in order to meet the requirement of infantry regiments for operational duties. This battalion was later stationed at Minneriya Army camp.
After Lieutenant Colonel L D C E Waidyaratne psc SLAC taking over duties as the Commanding Officer of 1st Rajarata Rifle at Saliyapura camp, the troops of that battalion reported to Volunteer Force Camp Diyatalawa for collective training. To fill the vacuum of troops at Saliyapura camp, the soldiers of 1st Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment were transferred to Saliyapura camp in June 1983 from Minneriya. After collective training, the soldiers of 1st Rajarata Rifle battalion, were posted to Colombo in order to suppress the ethnic unrest in Colombo. These troops subsequently returned to Saliyapura camp after accomplishing the assigned duties.
The 1st Battalion Gajaba Regiment was established on 14th October 1983 by amalgamating the 1st Rajarata Rifle battalion and 1st Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment as per a decision taken by the Army Headquarters due to the prevailing ethnic and separatist situation in Sri Lanka. Lieutenant Colonel WIVKM Wimalaratne psc was appointed as the first Commanding Officer of this battalion and with 36 Officers and 752 Soldiers, the battalion was inaugurated. The inauguration was graced by the then Army Commander Major General T I Weeratunga VSV USP and all the senior officers of the Sri Lanka Army. It is vital to state that the leadership of the battalion was handed over to a handpicked versatile senior officer for the benefit of the entire Gajaba Regiment, and the Army.
The Gajaba Regiment was able to shine victoriously in the battlefield due to their commitment and continuous training in keeping with the motto, "Unity is Strength", under the guidance and leadership of Lieutenant Colonel WIVKM Wimalaratne psc. The first appointment holders of the battalion were Major B Jayasundara - the Second in Command, Capt AB Paranagama - the Adjutant and WO I K Ekanayake - the Regimental Sergeant Major. To date, under the command and leadership of the following Commanding Officers, the 1st Battalion continuous to flourish excellently as a special fighting battalion.
The battalion supported more than 48 major operations / other operations to eradicate the brutal terrorism from 14.10.1983 till the end of Humanitarian Operation. 27 x 674 rave soldiers sacrifice their life and 15 x 639 soldiers disabled who belongs to this battalion during the war period. To honour the valiant troops, 04 x 12 Weera Wickrema Vibhushanaya, 27 x 116 Rana Wickrema Padakkama and 49 x 565 Rana Sura Padakkama gallantry awards have been awarded to Officers and Soldiers of the battalion. During the post-war era, this unit has contributed immensely to the development process of the country and protecting VVIP’s. 1st Battalion the Gajaba Regiment serving as Commander security Unit to two Commanders who produced by Ketarian family. At present the Unit is located at the Dewahuwa under the 1 Corps ,53 Inf Div and 533 Inf Bde as wel as two companies serving as Chief of Defense Staff security squad to Gen LHSC Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil.
The Names of the Commanding Officers.
| Srn | Name | From | To |
| 1. | Lt Col WIVKM Wimalarathna Psc | 1983.10.14 | 1985.07.20 |
| 2. | Lt Col STT Jayasundara Psc | 1985.07.20 | 1985.12.20 |
| 3. | Lt Col WIVKM Wimalarathna Psc | 1985.12.20 | 1987.08.01 |
| 4. | Lt Col G Angammana | 1987.08.01 | 1988.08.30 |
| 5. | Maj YN Palipana | 1988.08.30 | 1988.11.28 |
| 6. | Lt Col G Angammana | 1988.11.28 | 1989.07.08 |
| 7. | Lt Col NG Rajapaksha Psc | 1989.07.08 | 1991.01.26 |
| 8. | Lt Col UBL Fernando RSP psc | 1991.01.26 | 1994.05.01 |
| 9. | Lt Col AKS Perera WWV RWP RSP | 1994.05.01 | 1996.09.18 |
| 10. | Lt Col LHSC Silva WWV RWP RSP | 1996.09.18 | 1998.09.12 |
| 11. | Maj WT Premasantha RWP | 1998.09.12 | 2001.09.18 |
| 12. | Maj WAM Weerasuriya RSP | 2001.09.18 | 2005.03.02 |
| 13. | Maj NDSP Niunhella RWP RSP | 2005.03.02 | 2005.09.30 |
| 14. | Lt Col NDSP Niunhella RWP RSP | 2005.10.01 | 2007.07.21 |
| 15. | Lt Col WBWMRSP Aluwihare | 2007.07.27 | 2008.02.18 |
| 16. | Maj LHM Rajapaksha RSP | 2008.02.18 | 2008.08.12 |
| 17. | Lt Col WBWMRSP Aluwihare | 2008.08.12 | 2009.09.05 |
| 18. | Lt Col IANB Perera Psc | 2009.09.05 | 2011.10.06 |
| 19. | Lt Col HPI Perera RWP RSP | 2011.10.07 | 2014.10.11 |
| 20. | Lt Col MLA De Silva Psc | 2014.10.12 | 2017.03.13 |
| 21. | Maj D Sooriyaarachi RWP RSP | 2017.03.13 | 2019.06.03 |
| 22. | Maj LAN Liyanarachchi Psc | 2019.06.03 | 2020.05.18 |
| 23. | Lt Col LAN Liyanarachchi Psc | 2020.05.19 | 2021.05.17 |
| 24. | Maj DMP Amarakoon RWP RSP USP psc | 2021.05.18 | 2022.05.18 |
| 25. | Lt Col DMP Amarakoon RWP RSP USP psc | 2022.05.19 | 2023.03.04 |
| 26. | Lt Col MVP Samarawickrama USP | 2023.03.05 | Up to Now |
Contact Details
| Address | : | Headquarter
|
| T.P no | : | 011-3135077 |
