The first Battalion in the Sri Lanka Light Infantry(then Ceylon Light Infantry or CLI) is the oldest established unit in the Sri Lanka Army that later saw its birth in 1949 as the Ceylon Army. Since then, there was a need to establish a suitable permanent repository in order to preserve regimental artifacts for future generations to witness the rich culture and traditions of the Light Infantry connected to historical world wars etc. With this in mind, a Regimental museum was declared open on 30th January 1974 by Brigadier MA Jayaweera, the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army. The Chief Guest was also a former commanding officer of the First battalion the Ceylon Light Infantry. The Chief Guest on invitation by Lt Col HV Athukorale psc declared open the new museum at the auspicious time and in fact the new museum was a brain child of the latter. Among the laid up in the Museum now are the Queens's Colours and the Regimental Colours awarded to the Light Infantry Battalion by Her majesty the Queen's Elizabeth 11 on 21st April 1954.
In addition to these, are uniforms, Badges, of Rank, Medals, Cap Badges, Weapons, Clothing and Equipment, Standing orders, Valuable documents and Photographs and such artifacts owned by the Light Infantry since 1881.The museum also displays the arms, ammunition and documents recovered from insurgents and terrorists. As at present, the Sri Lanka Light Infantry consists of twenty four Battalions. A Museum of this nature serves one and all as a living monument of great customs and traditions of the Regiment.
