23rd Battalion The Gemunu Watch was raised on 15 Oct 2009 for the rehabilitation and civil affairs requirement in the Jaffna peninsula after humanitarian operation .The newly born 23GW was under the brilliant leadership of Lieutenant Colonel MAR Hamidon as first Commanding Officer and Major DMMC Dissanayake as second in command. The Battalion commenced with it’s initial move in to Jaffna under 51 Infantry Division. 23GW played a key role in past war era with winning hearts and mind of civil peoples .
battalion under 513 Bde AOR and deployed in Maawaddi, Arali , Pandathirippu, Chankani,and Chullipuram areas to coordinating tasks of rehabilitation and civil affairs Lt Colonel LGB Kariyawasam RWP RSP took over the battalion on 15 Oct 2011 As 2nd commanding officer of this battalion under 55 Div and 552 Bde. This phase was the constructing new premises for battalion However the officers and other ranks of battalion were able to overcome all hardships and doing all tasks which ordered by the higher headquarters and successfully achieved the aim Hence, the name 23GW became a key figure in the 55Div and SFHQ Jaffna.
After completing successful 2 years and 2 month of service , Lieutenant Colonel LGB Kariyawasam RWP RSP handed over his reigns , Lt Col AL Mapalagama took over the duties as new commanding officer on 28 April 2014 who became the third Commanding Officer of 23rd battalion the Gemunu Watch. With yet another successful 2 years and 8 months of service, battalion received its fourth and the present Commanding Officer Lt Col KMN Dikkumbura RSP who assumed his duties on 18 January 2016.
PRESENT DEPLOYMENT
Presently 23rd Battalion Commanding By Lt Col KMN Dikkumbura RSP and 2nd in Command Major KMGS Kodithuwakku RSP . Battalion serving under 552 Brigade of 55 Division and the all Coys deploy under same location in Muhamalai.
Former Commanding Officers:
| Srl No | Rank | Name | From | To |
| 1 | Lt Col | EADP Edirisingha psc | 2008.10.05 | 2011.10.15 |
| 2 | Lt Col | LGB Kariyawasam RWP RSP | 2011.10.15 | 2014.04.28 |
| 3 | Lt Col | AL Mapalagama | 2014.04.28 | 2017.01.17 |
| 4 | Lt Col | Lt Col KMN Dikkumbura RSP | 2017.01.17 | 2019.02.01 |
| 5 | Lt Col | PDC Dissanayake RSP USP | 2019.02.01 | 2021.01.28 |
| 6 | Maj | YMTW Muhandiramge RSP | 2021.01.28 | 2022.09.01 |
| 7 | Maj | RMRB Ratnayake RSP | 2022.09.01 | Up to date |
FORMER 2 IN COMMAND OFFICERS
Maj DMMC Dissanayake
Maj WS Wikramasingha
Maj GRRL Jayasingha RSP
Maj SWRI De Silva RWP psc
Maj RMTN Rathnayaka RWP RSP
Maj RMMB Sampath RWP RSP
Maj KMGS Kodithuwakku RSP
Maj RASL Ranasinghe RWP RSP USP
Maj RMTN Rathnayaka RWP RSP
FORMER ADJUTANTS
Capt KDS Dasanayake RSP
Capt DCM Vithana RSP
Capt KVCY Kalawana
Capt HKGD Asanka
Capt SB Hettiarchchi
Capt WDNP Perera
Capt RSUP Ranasinghe
Capt CR Samarasinghe
FORMER RSM
WO I M Somarathna
WO I EDM Dissanayaka
WO I HMS Arunashantha
WO I JM Rathnasiri
WO I WM Priyantha USP
WO I N Vittachchi
WO I WMS PushpakumaraUSP
WO I DPRG Dissanayake USP
NEW YEAR DAY 2017
Commanding officer of 23rd battalion The Gemunu Watch hoist the National Flag and took the Public Service Pledge from the battalion officers and Other rankers at the Ceremony held on customarily commencement of the duties for the New Year, on 2 January 2017 at the battalion premises Muhamalai. Commanding officer conveyed the New Year Messages of the Commander of the Army and the Colonel of the Regt to the troops on parade. He reiterated the vision of the Army and the Regiment in upholding the duties and responsibilities and wished everyone for successful year in all endeavors. New Year tea party was hosted to celebrate the dawn of New Year 2017.DURUTHU PASALOSWAKA POYA DAY PROGRAMME
The Duruthu Pasaloswaka Poya day programme was held at the Camp premises temple on 12 Jan 2017 which was organized by the battalion troops. Bodhi Pooja was conducted under the guidance of Commanding officer. all battalion officers and other rankers were participated for event.
FAREWELL CEREMONY TO LT COL AL MAPALAGAMA
The 23rd Battalion The Gemunu Watch bid farewell to its outgoing Commanding officer Lt Col AL Mapalagama on 17 Jan 2017, who go away after serving 2 years 8 months in the service of commanding officer of 23rd Battalion The Gemunu Watch . Ceremony was held in its customary way at battalion Headquarters, Muhamalai .
The inauguration of the ceremony marked by accorded Guard of honour. Also followed by tea party, and textured with the Farewell party and dinner hosted at officer’s mess and presented with a memento to mark the occasion. In honour of the outgoing senior officer per the customary manner.
NEWLY CONSTRUCTED OTHER RANKERS' KITCHEN OPENS IN 23RD BATTALION THE GEMUNU WATCH
Newly constructed Other Ranks’ Mess of 23rd Battalion The Gemunu Watch were opened on 16 Jan 2017.The Commanding officer Lt Col AL Maplagama graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Battalion 2IC Major KMGS Kodithuwakku RSP , all Coy Commanders and all officers and other rankers took part in the opening ceremony. The construction work was carried out under the close supervision of Commanding Officer. It was a long due requirement for the Battalion.
LT COL KMN DIKKUMBURA RSP ASSUMED DUTIES AS THE NEW COMMANDING OFFICER OF 23RD BATTALION THE GEMUNU WATCH
Lt Col KMN Dikkumbura RSP Assumed Duties As The New Commanding Officer Of 23rd Battalion The Gemunu Watch on 18th January 2017 at the Battalion headquarter Muhamalai At auspicious time, Guard turnout was accorded to new incoming commanding officer, also took over the duties and responsibilities of the appointment by signing the taking over documents while chanting Sethpirith by Mahasanga. And after taking over duties new commanding officer plant the Ebony tree for signify the event. in conclusion of the event battalion all officers and other rankers were addressed by new commanding officer.
