Lieutenant Colonel HPU Dasanayake USP SLE
Commanding Officer
BRIEF HISTORY
In 1910 the Ceylon Defense Force was raised under ordinance No 08 of 1910 to provide good order and discipline of the local Forces in Ceylon, which comprised all volunteer units. In 1910 the CDF was comprised of the following units The Ceylon Garrison Artillery
- Ceylon Engineers.
- Ceylon Mounted Rifles.
- Ceylon Light Infantr.
- Ceylon Planters Rifles Crops.
- Ceylon Army service Corps.
- The Ceylon Medical Corps.
During the period from the year 1911, the Corps of Ceylon Engineers had only 03 x 32. Their duties consisted of manning Engines and Searchlight required for Coastal Defense and Signal's Work. By the time of World War I they were able to recruit additional 148 to their rank and file. In 1926 the Commandant of the Ceylon Defense Force in Consultation with the G.O.C. Troops (Ceylon) recommended to Government that the Burgher Community of the Colombo Town Guard to be transferred to the Ceylon Engineers Corps. The Strength of the Ceylon Engineers Corps was 11 x 144 in 1927. The Unit consisted of
- Two Companies of Field Engineers.
- Two Companies of Fortress Engineers.
- One Company of Signalers.
It is very proud to mention that in 1949, when the formation of the Regular Army in Ceylon took place after Independence, the only Engineer unit existed was the "Ceylon Engineers Volunteer". Thereafter in 1949 this unit was reconstituted as "2 (Volunteer) Field Squadron Ceylon Engineers" and with its formation, the Unit was handed over to Lieutenant Colonel F H M Potger ED by Lieutenant Colonel Meurling MBE, ED, CE. After his relinquishment the command was handed over to Lieutenant Colonel E A Rajasingham ED in 1952.
On 1st Sep 1964, a new Regiment was raised as National Engineering & Construction Regiment Ceylon Engineers (Volunteer) by taking some Officers and men from the Engineer Squadron of 1 Ceylon National Guard (Volunteer) who was qualified in engineering works. The first Commanding Officer of this Regiment was a Chartered Civil Engineer, Col R. Kumaranayagam. In this era the unit moved to the location of Colombo Race Course from the Repository Stores at Army Head Quarters - Colombo.
When the terrorist war started and the unit had to focus on many other tasks in helping the SLEME in their role and tasks. To mention a few, on the Army Commander's approval, Unit under took the fabrication of Uni-Corn vehicles for the transport of troops safely in the operational from land mines. Later the well trained, expert welders were absorbed by the SLEME unit and they under - took the task thereafter. On the instructions of the Army commander, the unit workshop was instrumental in repairing military vehicles on the basis of two vehicles a month in order to reduce the back-log of vehicles awaiting repairs at the SLEME workshops.
In the meantime, when emergency took out in 1988, 4 (v) SL|E troops had to be deployed again on internal security duties until 1989. To mentioned a few of the contribution made by the 4 (V) SLE troops is the assistance to the Regular Army in Vadamarachchi Operation and also to in providing security for Colombo area at strategic points such as Maradana, Labugama, Kalatuwawa, Mattakkuliya, Avissawella, Ratmalana, Ambathale and Mt. Lavinia.
02. ACHIEVMENTS
SPORT ACHIEVEMENTS
The regiment has excelled in the disciplines of sports from the beginning. The participation of the sports events has been observed in the highest degree and there had been several achievements which are in proceeding.
VOLLEYBALL
a.Inter Regiment Volleyball Championship (Volunteer Force) 2017,2019 – Champion (A Division)
b.Inter Unit Volleyball Championship 2018,2019- Champion
DRILL
a.Inter Unit Drill Competition 2018 – Runners Up
b.Inter Unit Drill Competition 2019 – Champion
c.Inter Unit Drill Competition 2024 – Champion
BASKETBALL
a.Won The Runners Up Inter Regiment Basketball Tournament - 2022
FIRING
a.Inter Regiment Combat Firing Championship 2022 – 3rd Place
S/4B02432 WO II Aruna Shantha DS were performed outstanding performance in pistol and riffle shooting in Army Level and National Level.
a.Practical pistol firing meet 2008, 2010 – 1st Place
b.SLAVF Novices Pistol meet (Team) – 1st place
c. Hill Country Firing Meet 2009 – 3rd Place
a.Inter Regiment Combat Firing Championship 2022 – 3rd Place
KARATE
a.Defense Service Karate Meet 2007,2009,2010,2012- 1st Place
b.National Karate Championship 2011 – 1st Place
c. Inter Regiment Karate Meet (Black Belt Team) 2015,2017,2018 – Champion
a.Inter Regiment Karate Meet (9,8,7, KYM) 2014 – 2nd Place
b.Inter Regiment Karate Meet (9,8,7, KYM) 2015(Team) – 3rd Place
c.Inter Regiment Karate Meet (6,5,4 KYM) 2017 – 2nd Place
a.Inter Regiment Karate Meet (9,8,7, KYM) 2012 – 3rd Place
b.Inter Regiment Karate Meet (9,8,7, KYM) 2015(Team) – 3rd Place
c. Inter Regiment Karate Meet (6,5,4 KYM) 2017 – 2nd Place
a.Inter Regiment Karate Meet (9,8,7, KYM) 2014 – 2nd Place
b.Inter Regiment Karate Meet (9,8,7, KYM) 2015 – 3rd Place
c. Inter Regiment Karate Meet (9,8,7 KYM) 2016 – 3rd Place
d.National Karate Championship (3,2,2 KYM) 2018 -3rd Place
a. Inter Regiment Karate Meet 2014 – 2nd Place
b. Inter Regiment Karate Meet 2015 – 1st Place
c. Inter Regiment Karate Meet 2016 – 3rd Place
d. Inter Regiment Karate Meet 2017 – 2nd Place
e. Defense Service Karate Meet 2016 - 2nd Place
f. Defense Service Karate Meet 2018 – 3rd Place
g. National Sport Festival 2016 – 2nd Place
a.Inter Regiment Karate Meet 2013 – 3rd Place
b.Inter Regiment Karate Meet 2014 – 2nd Place
c. Inter Regiment Karate Meet 2016 – 3rd Place
d. Inter Regiment Karate Meet 2017 – 3rd Place
CAROM
a.National Carom Championship 2014,2015 – 2nd Place
b.Inter Regiment Carom Meet 2017,2018 – 2nd Place
c.National Sport Festival 2017 – 1st Place
d.All Island Sports Clubs Carom Meet 2019 – Champion
WATER POLO
S/B 101552 Spr Edirisingha RP was representing in National Water Polo team and him also a captain of the National Team.
a.Inter Regiment Water Polo Meet 2016, 2017 – 1st Place
b.Sri Lanka National Water Polo Championship 2018 – 1st Place
c.Asia Pacific Water Polo Championship 2016 – 2nd Place
BILLIARD
a.Inter Regiment Billiard Meet (Team) 2013 – 1st Place
b.Inter Regiment Billiard Meet (Team) 2014,2015, 2018 – 2nd Place
c.Defense Service Billiard Meet (Team) 2018 – 1st Place
ATHLETIC
a.Inter Unit Athletic Championship 2018 – Runners Up
Sapper shines at world sepak takraw championship 2025
The World Sepak Takraw Championship 2025, held in conjunction with the 38th Thai King's Cup, took place from 20 to 28 July in Thailand, attracting participation from 18 nations across the globe, among the players representing Sri Lanka was S/B101357 L/Cpl Madusanka NP of 4 (V) Engineer Regiment SLE. Selected as a member of the National Team comprising six male and six female players, where L/Cpl Madusanka NP demonstrated remarkable performance and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
Competing in the Men’s Hoop Championship category,ultimately securing 3rd place and bringing home a Bronze Medal.
Sappers Shine At 1st CISM Muaythai Challenge In Thailand
S/B103492 Spr Cooray BPN of 4(V) Engineer Regiment, proudly representing the Sri Lanka Army under the banner of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers, showcased exceptional skill and determination in the 51 Kg weight category. Her outstanding performance enabled her to secure 3rd Place, providing the Corps and the Sri Lanka Army with honor and recognition on this global stage.
The accomplishment shows the resilience of the Sappers as well as the increasing visibility of Sri Lankan military sportsmen in international competitions.
03. PRESENT TASKS
- Construction Of Officers’ Mess at SLSME – Embilipitiya
- Construction of Accomadation Building for WOs’ & Sgt Mess At RHQ SLE – Panagoda
- Construction of Law Cost House for H. Amila Sampath at Galle
- Renovation Works Of Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya
04. PRESENT APPOINTMENT HOLDING OFFICERS
APPOINTMENT HOLDERS| Second in Command | Major SDCPK Senarathna SLE |
| Adjutant | Lieutenant LRS Somasena SLE |
| Intelligence Officer | Lieutenant SMMS Senevirathna SLE |
| Quarter Master | Captain (Quarter Master) SA Jayantha Kumara SLE |
| Squadron Commanders | |
| HQ Squadron | Major SADL Priyankara SLE |
| 41 Squadron | Captain RMSS Rathnayaka SLE |
| 42 Squadron | Captain JMNK Jayasundera SLE |
| 43 Squadron | Captain HKM Perera SLE |
| 45 Squadron | Major LPT Madhuranga SLE |
| 46 Squadron | Captain AMP Rajakaruna SLE |
| 47 Squadron | Major ND Wickramasinghe SLE |
| Support Squadron | Major GN Chamara SLE |
| DDP Section | Major WRWMMD Wickramsinghe SLE |
05. PRESENT APPOINTMENT HOLDING SNCO
| Squadron Commanders | |
| Regimental Sergeant Major | WO I GMS Chandrasiri Herath |
| Drill Instructor | WO II Liyanage LRAK |
| RQ | WO II Chandana Kumara DGS |
| CC | S/SGT Somakeerthi WRC |
| HQ Squadron | WO II Sisira Kumara HMP |
| 41 Squadron | WO II Wagaarchchi S |
| 42 Squadron | WO II Bandara KMANK |
| 43 Squadron | WO II Basnayaka JJK |
| 45 Squadron | WO II Pushpa Kumara DPJ |
| 46 Squadron | WO II Premasiri SKKH |
| 47 Squadron | WO II Ramanayaka RAA |
| Support Squadron | WO II Gunarathna WMSP |
| DDP Section | WO I HM Ajith Kumara |
06. PAST COMMANDING OFFICERS
FORMER COMMANDING OFFICERS
Lieutenant Colonel Henderson
(From 1911 - 1915)
Lieutenant Colonel H French
(From 1915 - 1918)
Lieutenant Colonel T. H. Chapman
(From 1918 - 1923)
Major E. B. Creasy
(From 1923 - 1928)
Lieutenant Colonel V De Rooy
(From 1927 - 1932)
Major B. L. Drieberg
(From 1932 - 1933)
Lieutenant Colonel Carl E Arndt
(From 1933 - 1938)
Lieutenant Colonel Stanly Fernando
(From 1939 - 1942)
Lieutenant Colonel Neil Shokman
(From 1942 - 1945)
Lieutenant Colonel Meurling
(From 1945 - 1949)
Lieutenant Colonel FHM Potger
(From 1949 - 1951)
Lt Col EA Rajasingham ED CE
(From 1952 - 1953)
Lieutenant Colonel FJG Caspersz
(From 1954 - 1957)
Lt Col JHV De alwis C Eng MICE (lond) FIE (SL) CE
(From 1959 - 1962)
Col Kumaranayagam
ED Bsc (Eng) Hons
(Lond) Dip UCL MICE MI Struct
MIE(Cey)
(From 1964 - 1966)
Col CM Perera
Bsc (Eng) Lond C Eng FIHE
(Lond) FIE (cey)
(From 1966 - 1973)
Col PNK Dias
Bsc (Eng) Lond C Eng (Lond)
FICE (Lond) FIE (SL)
(From 01.10.1973 - 01.04.1980)
Lt Col LPG Fernando psc SLE
(From 01.04.1980 - 01.06.1981)
Lt col WD Samarasena SLE
Dip Mesh Eng, Automotive Eng (west
Germany) FIMI(Lond)MIBIM (Lond)FILE
(SL)I Eng
(From 01.06.1981 - 01.04.1987)
Col ARFU Rahuman
B Eng AMIE(SL)Msc
FAIM FBIM P Mgr MIM (SL)
(From 01.04.1987 - 15.05.1990)
Col NN Wijarathne Bsc (Eng)
(From 15.05.1990 - 15.07.1995 )
Msc (Const Mgt),C Eng (Lond),MICE (Lond)
Col SDAR Chandrasinghe Bsc (Eng), M Eng
Const, Mgnt), C Eng, MIM (SL)
(From 15.07.1995 - 01.09.1997)
Lt col WB Soyasa SLE
(From 01.09.1997- 14.02.2002)
Lt Col PN De Silva SLE
(From 14.02.2002 - 27.11.2004)
Lt Col PMR Bandara psc SLE
(From 23.03.2005 - 27.06.2005)
Lt Col MMS Perera psc SLE
(From 29.06.2005 - 31.12.2005)
Lt Col DMGB Elikawela SLE
(From 12.04.2006 - 30.04.2007)
Lt Col R M K A Ranasinghe RSP SLE
B Tech (CIVIL) MSE (LOND) MIE
(LOND)
AMSSE (SL)
(From 30.04.2007 - 29.07.2009)
Lt col PPA Perera psc SLE
BSc (Civil Eng)
(From 30.07.2009 - 22.03.2011)
Col P Wimalasiri RWP SLE
BSc Eng (Mech)
(From 25.03.2011 -
27.12.2013)
Lt Col DBL Kolonne SLE
BSc (Civil Eng)
(From 27.12.2013 - 25.01.2016)
Lt Col F Joseph SLE
(From 26.01.2016 - 06.02.2018)
Lt Col TMP Jalal SLE
B Tech (Civil Eng) NDT (Mech Eng) AflMIE (SL)
(From 08.02.2018 – 06.07.2020)
Lt Col SK Warahena USP SLE
(From 07.07.2020 - 24.09.2021)
Lt Col WDSS Fernando USP SLE Bsc Eng (Mech)
B Tech (Civil Eng) AMIE (SL)
(From 24.09.2021 - 21.02.2023)
Maj SJMECD Samarakoon Rsp Usp Psc SLE
(From 15.03.2023 - 31.12.2023)
Lt Col HPU Dasanayake USP SLE Bsc Eng
(Electrical & Electronics) Dip in EESS
(From 26.03.2024 – Up to Date)
