HISTORY OF 16TH BATTALION THE GAJABA REGIMENT
This battalion had been established under the Army Routing order 55/2008 in 22nd of October 2008 at Illuppukadaweli Government School. Maj K P S A Fernando was appointed as the first Commanding Officer of this battalion and with 21 Officers and 504 Soldiers, the battalion was inaugurated. The first appointment holders of the battalion were Major W M A B Wijekoon - the Second in Command, Capt S D G Wisidagama the Adjutant and WO I D L Jayasinghe RSP - the Regimental Sergeant Major. To date, under the command and leadership of the following Commanding Officers, the 16th Battalion The Gajaba Regiment continuous to flourish excellently as a special fighting battalion.
The battalion supported a major operation and other operations to eradicate the brutal terrorism from 22.10.2008 till the end of Humanitarian Operation. This bn were captured the Mankulam town, Vishwamadu, Pudukudiruppu, Pudumathalan and Ampakamam. To honour the valiant troops, During the post-war era, this unit has contributed immensely to the development process of the country and protecting VVIP’s. This bn were dep at several locs and at presently located at the Thabbowa- PUTTALAM.
The Names of the Commanding Officers.
| Srn | Name | From | To |
| 1. | Maj KPSA Fenando RSP | 22.10.2008 | 10.11.2008 |
| 2. | Maj RADS Shantha RWP RSP psc | 10.11.2008 | 01.02.2009 |
| 3. | Maj M S K Salgado RWP RSP psc | 01.02.2009 | 21.02.2009 |
| 4. | Maj K H N P Hennadige psc | 21.02.2009 | 18.03.2009 |
| 5. | Maj R A D S Shantha Ranaweera RWP RSP psc | 18.03.2009 | 19.05.2009 |
| 6. | Lt Col R A D S Shantha Ranaweera RWP RSP psc | 19.05.2009 | 27.10.2010 |
| 7. | Maj E N Kurukulasuriya RWP RSP psc | 27.10.2010 | 01.11.2012 |
| 8. | Lt Col E N Kurukulasuriya RWP RSP psc | 01.11.2012 | 20.08.2013 |
| 9. | Maj M N Gunasinghe RSP (Over looking) | 20.08.2013 | 21.10.2013 |
| 10. | Maj M S K Salgado RWP RSP psc | 13.10.2013 | 10.10.2014 |
| 11. | Lt Col M S K Salgado RWP RSP USP psc | 10.10.2014 | 20.07.2016 |
| 12. | Maj S D K W M M I Weliwita RWP psc | 21.07.2016 | 20.02.2017 |
| 13. | Maj D M P Amarakoon RWP RSP psc(Over looking) | 20.02.2017 | 14.08.2017 |
| 14. | Lt Col S D K W M M I Weliwita RWP RSP USP psc | 14.08.2017 | 20.06.2018 |
| 15. | Maj R M L I Rathnayaka (Over looking) | 20.06.2018 | 17.08.2018 |
| 16. | Maj S Rajamanthri RSP USP | 17.08.2018 | 06.04.2020 |
| 17. | Lt Col S Rajamanthri RSP USP | 07.04.2020 | 25.08.2020 |
| 18. | Maj W M M B Jayakody RWP RSP USP | 25.08.2020 | 09.10.2020 |
| 19. | Lt Col JWMMB Jayakody RWP RSP USP | 10.10.2020 | 10.05.2021 |
| 20. | Maj SSA Wijeratne RSP USP psc | 12.05.2021 | 16.12.2021 |
| 21. | Maj SAAH Subasinghe RSP psc Lsc (Over looking) | 16.12.2021 | 24.01.2022 |
| 22. | Maj SSA Wijeratne RSP USP psc | 24.01.2021 | 04.02.2022 |
| 23. | Lt Col SSA Wijeratne RSP USP psc | 04.02.2022 | 08.08.2022 |
| 24. | Maj SADP Jayarathne USP psc | 08.08.2022 | 2024.02.31 |
| 25. | Lt Col SADP Jayarathne USP psc | 2024.02.04 | 2024.02.31 |
| 26. | Maj MSS Fernando USP psc | 2024.03.01 | Up to now |
| Address | : | |
Headquarters
|
| T.Phone | : | |
| CO | : | 032-2062040 & 076 - 6907472 |
| 2 IC | : | 032-2062041 |
| Adjt/ Fax | : | 032 - 2062042 |
| E Mail | : | 16 gr@army.lk. |
