8 FIELD ENGINEER REGIMENT

Maj AU Hidellarachchi RSP USP SLE
COMMANDING OFFICER 8 SLE

BRIEF HISTORY

On December 3, 1996, in Achchuveli, Jaffna, the 8 Field Engineer Regiment was raised. Lieutenant Colonel S P Chandrakumar RSP SLE served as the unit's first commanding officer and began his duties with 200 other ranks and 10 officers. The majority of the soldiers in the unit at its beginning were from the 1, 5, 6, and 7 Field Engineer Regiments, and in addition to that newly passed out recruits were given to complete the formation. The regiment replaced the 7 Field Engineer Regiment under the 511 Infantry Brigade in Achchiveli.

In the latter part of humanitarian operations conducted by Sri Lanka Army, there was a foremost necessity of resettlement of people in affected areas. Just after the humanitarian operations in mid-year 2009, the unit was converted to a classic unit in order to deploy to carry out humanitarian demining task. This was the only humanitarian demining unit in Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers. In the same year the unit headquarters was permanently established at Boo-oya Vauniya. During the year 2011 with the guidance of Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel P P A Perera psc SLE, Regiment has developed their ever permanent setting at Boo oya.

ACHIEVEMENTS

The 8 Field Engineer Regiment has fulfilled the ground commanders' expectations since it was established as a Reinforcement (RFT) unit. There have been instances since the unit was raised where the majority of the higher Headquarters have recognized and appreciated the valuable services the officers and other rankers of the unit have provided.

During the attacks on the FDL in Kokkuthuduwai on August 2001, the unit troops had successfully manned the defence and held the line from Kokkuthuduwai. When the Kokkuthuduwai defence came under heavy LTTE attack, the Unit with heavy casualties managed to hold the advancing LTTE terrorists and it was highly appreciated by higher headquarters.

In 15 november 1997 officers and other ranks of 8 Field Engineers had saved lives of crew members of MI -24 which fallen into kokilai lagoon. So the under mentioned officer has awarded gallantry awards.,/p>

   Lt Col C D Wickramanayake WV SLE

Once unit converted to its classic role foremost task was to conduct humanitarian demining in Wanni theatre. The contribution of officers and other ranks in performing humanitarian demining in Rice Bowl area was highly appreciated by many authorities.

PRESENT TASKS

The 8 Field Engineer Regiment is currently deployed at Security Forces Headquarters Wanni as an affiliated engineering battalion, and the unit has been given responsibility for completing engineering tasks inside the SF HQ (W) AOR. The tasks are including Demolition of ammo, explosives and recovered Ordnance, Demolition of recoveries made by NGOs’, All Plant engineering tasks including National Development projects and Plant Tasks of the army establishments, Conducting Engineering lectures and related awareness programs and humanitarian demining in Muhamale Area.

SPECIAL TASKS

Other than the tasks related to Engineering Matters Unit is performing several special tasks as per the present requirement of the Country and the Army. They are as follows:

a. Cultivation of paddy, Vegetables and Fruits to secure the food safety of the country.

b. Training and maintaining 4 Regimental sports teams including Rugger, Judo, Wrestling and Firing.

PRESENT APPOINTMENT HOLDING OFFICERS

PRESENT APPOINMENT HOLDING SNCO

PAST COMMANDING OFFICERS

Lt Col SP Chandrakumar RSP SLE
(From 3rd Dec 1996 to 20th May 1998)

Lt Col KJ Wijethilake psc SLE
(From 20th May 1998 to 25th Nov 1999)

Lt Col KMU Wijerathne SLE
(From 25th Nov 1999 to 03rd July 2001)

Lt Col HWSDB Pananwala RSP SLE
(From 03rd July 2001 to 05th Jan 2002)

Lt Col HJS Gunawardana RSP psc SLE
(From 01st Jan 2002 to 12th Mar 2003)

Maj MMS Perera psc SLE
(From 12th Mar 2003 to 21st Oct 2004

Lt Col DKA Piyasena RSP USP SLE
(From 21st Oct 2004 to 31st Dec 2005)

Lt Col JC Gamage psc SLE
(From 31st Dec 2005 to 05th May 2007)

Lt Col JB Randeniya SLE
(From 06th May 2007 to 16th Jan 2009)

Lt Col DG Jayasinghe RSP SLE
(From 16th Jan 2009 to 24th Mar 2001)

Lt Col PPA Perera psc SLE
(From 24th Mar 2011 to 25th Jun 2012)

Maj BS Ahamet psc SLE
(From 25th Jun 2012 to 25th May 2015)

Lt Col IK Liyanage psc SLE
(From 25th May 2015 to 10th Aug 2017)

Lt Col CM Liyanage SLE
(From 11th Aug 2017 to 20th Aug 2019)

Lt Col PGPA Wijerathne RSP USP SLE
(From 20th Aug 2019 to 31th Jan 2021)