24th Battalion The Gemunu Watch was raised on 09 November 2009 at the Regimental Centre the Gemunu Watch, for the rehabilitation and civil affairs requirements and dominating in the jungle area of the Kilinochchi after the humanitarian operation. The newly upraised 24th battalion The Gemunu Watch was under the brilliant leadership of Maj WBJK Wimalarathne RSP as first Commanding Officer and Major SMK Suraweeraarachchi as second in command. The first most Adjutant was Lieutenant AVRKP Rajawardhana and first Intelligence officer was 2/Lt GARR Amarathunga. First Regimental Sargent Major was Warrant officer 1 Robert Silva.
The Battalion commenced with its initial move in to Mallavi ,Thunukkai area under 65Infantry Division. 24th Battalion The Gemunu Watch was played a key role in past war era with winning hearts and mind of civil peoples .Battalion under 651Bde AOR and deployed in General area Thunukkai, Mallavi, to conduct Jungle belly clearing operation , Domination of the jungle areas such as foot patrols, Ambush and coordinating tasks of rehabilitation and civil affairs in Kalvilan Village. Mainly The Kalvilan village was re- urbanized by the 24th Battalion TheGemunu Watch. Serving after almost 10 months in above mentioned area battalion was moved to the Security forces Kilinochchi Camp premises as the reserve battalion.
In This phase, the construction of new premises for the battalion was continued.Furthermore many infrastructure, accommodation, Office complex and welfare facilities for the battalion were established in this era.Correspondingly a Boo sapling with Lord Buddha statue were placed inside the middle of the newly constructed camp premises.
Moreover due to the massive competences of the battalion commandership along the officers with other ranks, and high assurance, which was taken from higher command of the SFHQ KilinochchiTheater, battalion received highly valuable military and commercial tasks.
Military tasks as large Jungle belly clearing operations. Securing the SFHQ Kilinochchi premises, providing VIP and VVIP protection for the victors, delegation who are visiting SFHQ KLN tether, Boat patrolling in the Iranmadu Lake to ensure the security of the general area, foot patrols,Root clearing operation, Roadblocks, Road pickets etc. Besides that, while performing all these high-profile tasks battalion has participated in battalion courses for several time to train all officers and other ranks for raise their tactical, combat firing, physical endurance and battle skills.
Also commercial tasks such as building a new welfare shop complex to the SFHQ (KLN) and conducting its all operations under the battalion supervision. Re farming of the enormous abandoned farm which was previously used by the LTTE carders.
In addition to that while performing all the above-mentioned tasks battalion troops highly contributed their contribution to building the new Security Force headquarters complex Kilinochchi.
However all this assigned tasks, the officers and other ranks of battalion were able to overcome all hardships and doing all responsibilities which ordered by the higher headquarter and successfully achieved the aim by the intense guidance and direction of The Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel WBJK Wimalarathne RSP. Hence, the name 24thGemunu Watch became a key figure in the Security Forces Kilinochchi.
After completing successful 3years and5month of service , Lieutenant Colonel WBJK Wimalarathne RSP handed over his reigns to Lieutenant Colonel AMA Abeywardana WWV RWP RSP.
With the superior leadership and direction of The Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel AMA Abeywardana WWV RWP RSP who became the Second Commanding Officer of 24th battalion theGemunu Watch on 06 May 2013.
In This stagewas the uplifting of the battalion continued. New Officer Mess complex and Atavisi Bodhi Mandiraya were constructed In the tenure of the new commanding officer. In addition to that many different infrastructure and accommodation facilities for the battalion were established in this period. Operational andcommercial commitments which were assigned by the SFHQ (KLN) remain as same.
With yet another efficacious 2 years and 8 months of service, battalion received its third commandingOfficer Lieutenant Colonel RMC Rathnayake RWP RSP who assumed his duties on 25 January 2016.
Completion of successful 2 years of period Lieutenant Colonel RMC Rathnayake RWP has handed over his reigns to Lieutenant Colonel RPCA Samaranayake RSP USP on 18 February 2018. Until the battalion was dissemination he was the commanding officer for the battalion and also as the reserve for the security force Kilinochchi. In addition to that 24th Battalion the Gemunu Watch has won many sports events in many competitive events that keeping the battalion name at the highest position in all formations at all time. As a great achievement, the battalion has been able to archive the award of “Hercules Battalion” which was presented by Security Force Kilinochchi.
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