8TH BATTALION THE GAJABA REGIMENT

HISTORY OF 8^TH BATTALION THE GAJABA REGIMENT

The battalion was inaugurated on 17th December 1992 under the command of Major TB Moseth RSP at Gajaba Regimental Centre, Saliyapura, with Major LHSC Silva WWV RWP RSP as the Second In Command and WO II Chandrasiri as Acting Regimental Sergeant Major. Later, senior officer named Major LHSC Silva WWV RWP RSP, who served as the Second In Command of the unit, took charge as the commanding officer of the unit on 25.08.1995.

Re- establishment 8^th Battalion the Gajaba Regiment

The battalion was merged with the 1st Gajaba Regiment for a period of more than a year from 04.06.2000 after the fierce fighting in Alimankada area due to the prevailing situation at that time.. There, Commanding Officer was taken over by a senior officer named Major SDNJ Suraweera RSP.

On the 20th June 2001, the 8th Battalion Gajaba Regiment, consisting of 15 officers and 50 other ranks, was re- established and operated at Saliyapura camp. After the re- establishment of the unit, the senior officer Major WMRJK Senaratne as the second in command, Captain RMAB Ratnayake as the A Coy Officer Commanding, Captain H MP Heenkenda as the C Coy Officer Commanding , Lt. EW Thisera as the D Coy Officer Commanding, Major SB Amunugama RSP as the Sp Coy Officer Commanding, Lt. MAHW Premachandra as First Adjutant and WO 1 WDE Ligori as Regimental Sergeant Major.

Later on 25th May 2001 this battalion was stationed under 21st Battalion in Periyakulam District and from 5th July 2001 it was stationed at Chatras Fort, Mahamorakanda, Devil's Bend, Galpotta, Kituluthuwa Kantale, Mollyapothana, Tambalagamuwa, Sinhakanda, Palamtar and Vellankulam. Under 221 Bde HQ, the battalion was stationed in Omanthe area from 24 December 2001, and on 4th January 2007, under 111 Bde HQ, which arrived in Serunuwaea area, and participated in operational duties from Serunuwara.

After participating for Infantry training in Kokeliya Infantry Training School from 27th January 2007 under 56 Battalion HQ from 20th May 2008 participated in operational duties in Palamodei in Mullaitivu District.Later, from 20 February 2009, attached to 58 HQ, the battalion was deployed in Paranthan region on 15 September 2000 for Humanitarian Operation.

After the end of the War period, on September 29, 2009, this battalion was stationed in Saliyapura Gajaba Regimental Center, and then on 31st January, 2010, it was stationed behind 7 (V) Gajaba Camp stationed in Matale Ukuwela area.

The officers of this battalion played a great role starting with the sacrifice of their lives by actively contributing to the humanitarian operation in the east and , which were implemented to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka and bring peace to the country. 35 Rana Vikrama Medals with 01

Parama Weera Vibhushana Medal and 01 Weera Wikrama Vibhushana Medal and 229 Rana Shoora Medals have also been awarded for Officers and ORs of the unit.

Commanding Officers who have served so far

Srn.	Name	From	To
1.	Major TB Moseth RSP	1992.10.20	1993.12.02
2	Lt Col TB Moseth RSP	1993.12.02	1995.08.22
3.	Major LHSC Silva WVBV RWP RSP	1995.08.22	1996.01.01
4.	Major MMRK Vanninayake RSP	1996.01.01	1997.05.20
5.	Lt Col MMRK Vanninayake RSP	1997.05.20	1998.06.05
6.	Major EMSVB EMSVB Ekanayake RSP	1998.06.05	2000.05.10
7.	Major SADNU Suraweera RSP	2001.06.21	2002.10.21
8.	Major HRN Fernando RSP	2002.10.21	2003.03.21
9.	Lt Col HRN Fernando RSP	2003.03.21	2005.12.31
10.	Lt Col HLVM Liyanage RSP	2005.12.31	2008.06.23
11.	Major JMNK Jayasundara	2008.06.23	2008.11.10
12.	Major MGWWMCB Wickramasinghe Psc	2008.11.10	2008.12.21
13.	Lt Col MGWWMCB Wickramasinghe Psc	2008.12.21	2011.11.16
14.	Lt Col WHKS Peiris RSP	2011.11.16	2013.11.08
15.	Colnel WHKS Peiris RSP	2013.11.08	2014.03.25
16.	Major MAHW Premachandra RSP	2014.03.25	2014.10.10
17.	Lt Col MAHW Premachandra RSP	2014.10.10	2017.01.04
18.	Major BADNK Bulathsinghala RWP RSP Psc	2017.01.04	2017.05.29
19.	Lt Col BADNK Bulathsinghala RWP RSP Psc	2017.05.29	2019.01.28
20.	Major IADRP Gunathilaka RWP USP	2019.01.28	2020.02.04
21.	Lt Col IADRP Gunathilaka RWP USP	2020.02.04	2021.01.15
22.	Major HMAB Heenkenda RWP RSP	2021.01.15	2021.06.22
23.	Lt Col HMAB Heenkenda RWP RSP	2021.06.22	2022.08.15
24.	Major YSHNP Silva USP Psc	2022.08.15	2022.10.10
25	Lt Col YSHNP Silva USP Psc	2022.10.10	Up to date

Contact Information:

Address:	:	Headquarters 8th Battalion the Gajaba Regiment Army Camp Thawalankoya Ukuwela Matale
Phone	:	0283897553 0662245230
Email	:	8gr@army.lk 8grbnhq@gmail.com