The 1st Battalion of the Gemunu Watch

Surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges in a cool and salubrious environment, the 1st. Battalion of the Gemunu Watch was inaugurated on 7th. December 1962 in Diyatalawa. Initially, I GW occupied the CVF [Ceylon Volunteer Force] Camp, and moved to the Navy’s H M Cy S  Rangala Camp in February 1964.

The late Brigadier John. F. Halangode, the first Commanding Officer of the new Battalion, inspired by the achievements of the famous Sinhala Warrior King, Dutugemunu, adopted the name of Gemunu  in his honour. Fascinated by the traditions of the British Black Watch Regiment, he was instrumental in naming the new Infantry Battalion, the 1st. Battalion of the Gemunu Watch.

After much research into history and consultations with various sources, including the Buddhist Clergy, Lieut. Colonel Halangode took great pains to design a fitting flag and insignia for the Battalion. The emblem of the Peacock was selected to adorn the Flag as there was popular belief that this majestic bird was the vehicle and seat of God Kataragama. King Dutugemunu had invoked the blessings of God Kataragama to achieve his primary aim of defeating King Elara in battle. To add splendour, dignity and honour, ten Spears [Dasa Maha Hela or Kunthana Yudhaya] have been included in the flag to denote the super-human feats of the Dasa Maha Yodhyas [Ten Great Warriors] of King Dutugemunu.  To signify the assurance of security of the Country, Race and Religion for Eternity, of the Sun and the Moon have been superimposed on the flag. The Motto, “Maniwatta Abikkama” [Tarry Not Forward] was introduced on the advice of the Buddhist Clergy. The 1st. Commanding Officer and Founding Father of the 1st. Battalion of the Gemunu Watch, Lieut. Colonel John. F. Halangode assumed Command of the Battalion on 7th. December 1962 and relinquished Command on 4th. April 1968.

From 1st. May 1963 until the end of that year, the Battalion, still in its formative stages, was involved in intensive training of its Officer Corps and Other Rank Cadre to fit into the structure of the chain-of-command. Personnel forming the nucleus of the Battalion had been transferred from the other two Infantry Battalions, 1 CLI and 1 SR. In January 1964, 1 GW less “C” Company was deployed in the Mannar Sector of TAFII [Task Force Anti-Illicit Immigration] on Anti-Illicit Immigration Operations for a duration of four months. “C” Company of 1 GW took its turn in December 1964. In its fledgling stages the Battalion had been tasked to provide security and maintain peace in the Estate Sector from time to time.

After taking over of the Rangala Camp in 1964 which accommodated a Navy Training Centre, 1 GW also took possession of the Imperial Camp overlooking the Rendezvous grounds when 1 SR was transferred out of Diyatalawa to Colombo. The Imperial Camp had housed Prisoners of the Boer War in the latter part of the 19th. Century. Rangala Camp became Uva Camp and subsequently Gemunu Camp on 11 August 1975, and had been part of the British South East Asia Command under Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatton in the second World War.

In 1971 the Battalion was initially deployed in the Moneragala and Badulla Districts, to suppress the JVP led armed Insurrection.  Subsequently, 1 GW was deployed in the Galle and Pollonnaruwa Districts and areas in the North Central Province. 01 Officer and 40 Other Ranks were sent to Boossa for security duties. In 1972 one Company was sent to Colombo mainly for duties in connection with the security of the Colombo Remand Prison which accommodated hard core JVP prisoners.

A sensational Air Crash occurred on 4th. December 1974. A  DC 8 aircraft carrying 193 Muslim Devotees to Mecca on the Haj pilgrimage crashed on the  “Seven Virgins” range in proximity to Norton Bridge. Capt. C.L. Algama with 175 personnel was detailed to carry out rescue and recovery operations. Lieut. V.S. Boteju and his team recovered the “Black Box” [Flight Data Recorder] and other debris required for the investigation, after abseiling down dangerous mountain slopes to reach the crash site. The Black Box was recovered, taken to the Ministry of Defence and subsequently handed over to the Ministry of Civil Aviation by the CO of 1 GW, Lieut. Colonel A.W. Tambiraja for investigation.

In 1978 1 GW was deployed in the Batticoloa District on rescue and resettlement operations of victims of a devastating Cyclone that affected the neighbouring Pollonnaruwa  District as well. Major Nimal Ratnayake commanded the operation.

On 15 August 1980 Colours were awarded to 1 GW and the other two Volunteer Battalions of the Gemunu Watch for loyal and distinguished services rendered to the Nation, by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Hon. J.R. Jayawardena at an impressive and colourful Parade held at the Galle Esplanade. The Parade was commanded by Lieut. Colonel. P. Pakshaweera of 1 GW.

On 14th. October 1981, Major General. T. I. Weeratunge was appointed as the 9th. Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. He had been the 3rd. Commanding Officer of   1 GW  and the 1st. Gemunu Watch Officer to Command the Army. He relinquished Command of the Army on 11th. February  1985, was promoted to the rank of General and was appointed the 1st. General Officer Commanding the newly formed Joint Operations Command organization. He was thereafter appointed as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Canada.

S/40985  Sergeant. Wijeratne succumbed to gun shot injuries sustained when attempting to stop PLOTE Cadres led by Uma Maheswaran from robbing the Killinochchi Bank on 22nd. October 1981. He was the first soldier of 1 GW to be Killed-in-Action. In a subsequent operation planned to recover the loot and the Jeep stolen from the Watakachchi  Government Farm for the Bank Robbery, led by Lieut. Colonel. G.H. de Silva 1 GW and then Officer Commanding Troops in Jaffna, the first two Tamil Militants were killed-in-battle. The stolen Jeep was recovered in the Periyathampani jungles of Killinochchi on 27th. November 1981.

Since 1982, the Battalion had been deployed in the North and East on Internal Security duties and Anti-Terrorist operations. 1 GW actively participated in the famous Vadamarachchi Operation [ OP “Liberation “ Phase 1] of 1987, dynamically led by Lieut. Colonel. V.S. Boteju who spearheaded the Northern Thrust under command of  1 Brigade Group, Commanded by Colonel. Vijaya Wimalaratne [Ex- 1 GW]. Brigadier. G.H. de Silva Commanded 2 Brigade Group, tasked on Deception planning and Holding Operations, whilst being the Overall Operations Commander for OP “Liberation”.  3 Brigade Group was ably led by Brigadier Denzil Kobbekaduwa which was tasked to undertake the Southern Thrust. This was the largest ever Operation planned against the Tamil Militants up to that time.

After the IPKF [Indian Peace Keeping Force] left the shores of Sri Lanka, the Unit was deployed in the Batticaloa District. Massive attacks were mounted by the Militants to dislodge 1 GW troops holding the Kiran Camp, who subsequently laid siege on the Camp. Troops were without food for several days. Water had to be strictly rationed. The Terrorists fired canisters of Mustard Gas into the camp and several soldiers suffered severe burns. This was the first instance in which poisonous gas was used against the Sri Lankan Security Forces [SLSF}. Troops held out heroically until reinforcements arrived and relieved the siege. The Battalion was magnificently led by their gallant Commanding Officer, Major Hiran Halangode, Son of the Founding Father of  1 GW, the Late Brigadier. John. F. Halangode.

Special mention is made with great pride that 1 GW is the only Unit in the recorded history of the Sri Lanka Army in which Father and Son have commanded the same Unit. A unique distinction.

In 1991, 1 GW undertook duties in Mannar in the Silawaturai sector relieving the 6th. Battalion of the Gajaba  Regiment. Duties conducted in the battle front included participation in Operations “Sun Island” and “Green Belt” phases I and II. 1 GW next moved to Mullaitivu and was involved in Operation “Sath Bala”. Soon after, the Battalion was deployed in Vettilaikerni in the Jaffna Peninsula until 1995.

On 1st. January 1994, Lieut. General. G.H. de Silva RWP, VSV, USP; assumed duties as the 13th. Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. He was also the 1st. Regimental Commander of the Gemunu Watch Regiment. He became the second Officer of 1 GW to Command the Sri Lanka Army. Lieut.General. Silva was promoted to the rank of General and  relinquished his tenure of Command of the Sri Lanka Army  on 30th. April 1996. He was appointed as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Pakistan on 15th. August 1996.

RECORD OF OPERATIONAL DEPLOYMENT - POST NOVEMBER 1995.

After the stint of operational deployment in Vettilaikerni the Unit was tasked to participate in Operation “Riviresa” that was planned to liberate the North from Tamil Terrorists. Jaffna was liberated on 5th. December 1995. Phases II to IV were planned to liberate the North and the East of Sri Lanka dominated by the LTTE. The Jaffna Peninsula was freed from the clutches of the terrorists by April 1996.

After the successful “Riviresa” Operation 1 GW was involved in OP “Edibalaya” in 1996 to clear the Vavuniya – Mannar road. Following on,      1 GW  was moved to Pulmoddai in the north east to join forces tasked on  Phases I & II of  OP “Randunna”. Not long after, 1 GW  participated in OP “Ranajaya”,  planned to clear LTTE held areas south of Trincomalee.

In April 1997 the Unit was deployed in Mannar and mandated to participate in OP “Jayasikuru” planned to clear the A 9 MSR [Main Supply Route] to Jaffna from Vavuniya. The SLSF did not have a land route to Jaffna and as such Men, Material and Combat Resources to the North had to be transported by Sea and / or Air.

 1 GW commenced a stint of collective training at the Infantry Training Centre in Minneriya in July 1998. Training completed, the Unit joined forces tasked on OP “Dasa Bala” in the Kokkadicholai area in Batticoloa. By the end of August 1998 the Unit was deployed once more on the ongoing OP “Jayasikuru” in the Elephant Pass [EPS] region. After one month of operational duties in EPS troops of 1 GW were moved to Weli-Oya to join forces operating in the southern thrust of OP “Jayasikuru”. Not long after, they were required to re-join combat elements tasked on OP “Ranabala” operating in the Oddusuddan area. Subsequently, 1 GW had to be employed with troops in an operation code named “Ranagosa” Phases I to V. Later they were deployed in Omanthai in the Vavuniya district. By the end of December 1999 the Unit was operating in the Iyakachchi area of EPS.

On 16th. June 2006 1 GW was amalgamated with 9 GW to form 1 / 9 GW and tasked to carry out combat operations in Neerveli and Sirippiddi in the Jaffna Peninsula. Troops of 1 / 9 GW next participated in OP “Kinihira” Phase VII in the Kaithadi area in the Jaffna district and later deployed in Ariyali.

Re-structuring of the Army effected on 24th. January 2002, separated the two Battalions resulting in 1 GW and 9 GW working independently once more.

After withdrawing from the Peace Accord on yet another occasion without prior warning, the Tamil Militants launched massive attacks on the Muhumalai FDL’s [Forward Defended Localities] of the SLSF on 11 August 2006. Belligerency resumed and the Unit had to undertake small group operations. By 08th. January 2009 the Unit had secured the Nagarkovil FDL’s in the eastern sea-board of the Jaffna Peninsula. During the period of the Peace Accord and the brokered cessation of hostilities terrorists took advantage of the opportunity to strengthen their defences and to build a strong point [violating the terms of the PA] 25 metres away from our own FDL’s, and engaged in acts of extreme provocation to draw our forces into confrontations.  Troops were patient and did not react, defeating terrorist machinations to discredit the Government in the eyes of the International Community. However, when they attacked our FDL’s in strength own forces had no option but to conduct retaliatory aggressive action to destroy the strong points and the terrorists.

During the final stages of the Wanni Humanitarian Operations 1GW was intimately involved in all major operations conducted that resulted in the capture of Nandikadal, Puththukudirippu and the A 35 MSR linking Paranthan to Mullaitivu. Which action ultimately brought success in defeating LTTE aims and objectives of creating a separate State of Tamil Eelam.

After the Operations conducted in the Wanni 1 GW was engaged in the government’s programme of Reconciliation, Re-settlement, Re-Construction and Re-Habilitation in the Puththukudirippu region until 08 August 2010. The Unit was re-deployed in Colombo and occupied the Mattakkuliya  Camp for duties in connection with Internal Security that included the security of Vulnerable Points, VIP security and employment in the “Winning the Hearts and Minds” campaign.

On 11th. November 2010 1 GW returned to their place of origin, the Gemunu Camps in Diyatalawa  after a period of 26 years of continuous deployment on combat operations.

19 Officers and 296 Other Ranks made the supreme sacrifice  to uphold the Unity, Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of our beloved Motherland.

25 Officers and 123 Other Ranks were awarded the Ranasura Padakkama [RSP] for acts of bravery demonstrated in battle with the enemy. 09 Officers and 03 Other Ranks were awarded with the next higher gallantry award, the Ranaweera Padakkama [RWP], and 01 Officer and 06 Other Ranks were bestowed with the Weera Wickrema Vibhusahana [WWV] bringing honour and dignity to the Battalion for gallant acts of outstanding bravery in the face of the enemy.

36TH COLOUR BLESSING CEREMONY

Since 15 August 1980, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Gemunu Watch battalions are conducting colour blessing ceremony at kataragama.  The 36th colour parade of these respective battalions was held on 15 and 16 August 2016 at kataragama.

THE 54th BATTALION DAY OF 1ST BATTALION THE GEMUNU WATCH

The 1st battalion the Gemunu watch was raised on 07 December 1962 at Rangala Camp Diyatalawa and the battalion completed almost 54 years on 7 December 2016. 1st Battalion The Gemunu Watch is the senior battalion out of Gemunu Battalion in Gemunu Regiment. Up to now the Battalion has commanded by 28 Commanding Officers. Present Commanding Officer is Lt Col K H M U B Kolongahapitiya USP

The Commander 532 Bde Col P J P Gamage visited on 10th February 2016.

There was a one week training proggrame for students of disaster management center from 13 December 2015. Commanding officer and other rankers of the battalion attended for the event.

Celebrating the 1st working day of New Year, on 02nd January 2017 there was a programme which is put in order by DPA, The 2nd in command of Battalion Major E M R N Edirisinghe RSP presented to this programme.

The battalion is customary conducting an alms giving ceremony with Army day at Bandarawela, Abegoda Child’s home. On behalf of 68th Army day, this alms giving ceremony conducted on 10 October 2016 at same location.

The commander of 53 division Maj gen L H S Silva WWV RWP RSP USP NDU psc visited on 17, 18 February 2016.

Maj E M R N Edirisinghe RSP assumed duties as the 39th 2nd in command on 22 August 2016 at Gemunu Camp Diyatalawa 11 Officers and 181 Other Ranks Wounded-in-Action. Some partially or permanently disabled.

Lt col K H M U B Kolongahapitiya USP assumed duties as the 28th commanding officer of 1st Battalioin the Gemunu watch ON 12th January 2017. He was joined the army on 15 July 2015 as a cadet officer and he got commission on 07th November 1995. After he passed out he joined with the Gemunu Watch.
He has serve in 8GW, 11GW, 7GW as platoon commander, company commander and adjutant, and also he has serve as the legal officer III of RHQ GW, company commander of command Admin Company of RHQ GW, 2nd in command of 24 GW, GSO I OPS Of 56 Division.

Former Commanding Officers: