GAJABA REGIMENT CELEBRATES ITS 39TH ANNIVERSARY

The Gajaba Regiment celebrated its 39th anniversary with series of events starting with multi religious flag blessing ceremonies held on 12 October 2022 which was followed by All -Night Pirith Chanting event and Alms giving at the Regimental Centre to transfer merit to the fallen war heroes and to invoke blessings to the family members of fallen war heroes and all the members of the Regiment.

In the evening of 13th October 2022 Commander of the Army and Colonel of the Regiment, Regimental council members, senior officers, Centre Commandant, Deputy Centre Commandant, Regimental Staff Officers, all Commanding Officers and family members of the fallen war heroes gathered at the Gajaba Regiment war memorial and paid their utmost tribute to the fallen war heroes of the Regiment and recalled the memories of fallen war heroes by placing floral wreaths at the Gajaba Monument.

The Gajaba Regiment was established on 14 October 1983 at Saliyapura Anuradhapura which is recognized as one of the great historic cities of the country. The Regiment was founded and raised by late Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne RWP RSP VSV USP psc under the Motto of “Unity is Strength“. During 30 years of prolonged fighting against the brutal terrorism in the country, 171 Officers and 4079 Other Ranks of the Regiment have made their supreme sacrifice while 176 Officers and 4463 Other Ranks were severely wounded and have become permanently disable at the fight to bring back eternal peace and harmony to the Motherland.

On the anniversary day (14), the Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage was received by Deputy Centre Commandant, Colonel KR Kalupahana RSP USP at the main entrance of the Gajaba Regimental Centre where the troops accorded him a Guard Turnout in accordance with military formalities, then he proceeded to pay his tribute to the Founding Father, late Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne by placing a floral wreath at his statue.

Then the day’s Chief Guest proceeded to take the salute of the parade accorded in his honour. At the entrance to parade ground, Brigadier Wishwajith Vidyananda RWP RSP USP, Centre Commandant, extended a warm welcome to the Commander of the Army and Colonel of the Regiment and invited to review the ceremonial parade commanded by Brigadier Sujeewa Eragoda, Commander 611 Infantry Brigade, which was composed of 22 Officers and 502 Other Ranks representing all GR battalions along with proudly paraded Regimental colors.

The Army chief in his brief address to the occasion paid tribute to all past Colonels of the Regiment, All Retired Officers, All Retired Other Rankers, fallen and injured War Heroes, serving Officers, Other Ranks, civil servants and their families and urged All Ranks to continue their good work and commitment in future too for the best interest of the Regiment and he summed up all milestones of the Keterians’ commitment to the Motherland. He also paid his highest respect to the sacrifices of fallen war heroes and wished speedy recovery to wounded ones, some of who are still under recuperation. At the end of the parade, the Army Chief was invited to add memories to the day by planting an ironwood (Naa) sapling at the Regimental Centre Office compound.

Subsequently, an All Ranks Lunch, was held with the participation of Commander of the Army and Colonel of the Regiment, Regimental council members, Centre Commandant, Deputy Centre Commandant, Regimental Staff Officers and all Commanding Officers, Senior Officers, Officers, Regimental Sergeant Major and all Unit Regimental sergeant Majors and Other Ranks representing all the Gajaba Battalions.