8 FIELD ENGINEER REGIMENT

COMMANDING OFFICER OF 8 FIELD ENGINEER REGIMENT

Lt Col AU Hidellaarachchi RSP USP SLE

BRIEF HISTORY

The 8 Field Engineer Regiment of the Sri Lanka Engineers was raised on 03 December 1996 at Achchuveli, Jaffna. Lieutenant Colonel S. P. Chandrakumar RSP SLE assumed duties as the first Commanding Officer, with an initial strength of 10 officers and 200 other ranks. The nucleus of the Regiment was formed with personnel drawn from the 1, 5, 6, and 7 Field Engineer Regiments, together with newly passed-out recruits. The Regiment initially took over duties from the 7 Field Engineer Regiment under the 511 Infantry Brigade in Achchuveli.

In the aftermath of humanitarian operations, the Regiment was entrusted with a crucial national responsibility—supporting the resettlement of displaced communities in conflict-affected areas. In 2009, the Regiment was converted to a classic Field Engineer Regiment and deployed for humanitarian demining tasks. Significantly, it became the only humanitarian demining unit within the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers, making a vital contribution to restoring normalcy in the Wanni region.

The permanent Regimental Headquarters was established at Boo-Oya, Vavuniya in 2009, and under the guidance of Lieutenant Colonel P. P. A. Perera psc SLE, the Regiment developed its permanent facilities in 2011. Since its inception, the 8 Field Engineer Regiment has remained steadfast in fulfilling its mission, contributing to both national security and post-conflict recovery operations.

Achievements

Since its establishment, the 8 Field Engineer Regiment has consistently earned recognition for professionalism, courage, and dedication in both combat and peacetime roles. From the early stages as a Reinforcement Unit, the Regiment has repeatedly proved its ability to meet the expectations of ground commanders and higher headquarters.

During the FDL battle at Kokkuthuduwai in August 2001, the Regiment displayed exceptional bravery by holding the defensive line against a major LTTE offensive, despite sustaining heavy casualties. The steadfast defense of the troops drew high commendation from senior commanders.

Earlier, on 15 November 1997, the officers and soldiers of the Regiment distinguished themselves once again by rescuing the crew of a Mi-24 helicopter that had crashed into the Kokilai Lagoon. For this gallant act, Lt Col C. D. Wickramanayake WV SLE was decorated with a gallantry award, symbolizing the Regiment’s spirit of sacrifice and commitment.

Following the conclusion of humanitarian operations in 2009, the Regiment made a landmark contribution by undertaking humanitarian demining in the Wanni region. The tireless efforts of its officers and soldiers in clearing minefields in the Rice Bowl area were highly commended by both national authorities and international partners, reflecting the Regiment’s vital role in restoring peace and enabling resettlement.

Beyond its operational role, the Regiment has also made significant contributions to the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers in the field of sports and extracurricular excellence. Over the years, 8 SLE has produced outstanding sportsmen and teams who have brought pride to the Corps at national and Army-level competitions..

A detailed chart of individual and team achievements is presented below.

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 Mullaitivu Area.

PRESENT APPOINTMENT HOLDING OFFICERS

Second In Command	Maj  KMCS Bandara SLE
Adjutant	Capt  WDUD Perera SLE
Intelligence Officer	Lt RMA Nirun SLE
Quarter Master	Lt (QM)  CJ Kannangara USP SLE
80 HQ Squadron	Major RMIA Bandara USP SLE
81 Field Squadron	Capt TGHM Karunarathna SLE
82 Field Squadron	Maj KBRT Kumara SLE
84 Plant Squadron	Maj DBPK Gunathilaka SLE

PRESENT APPOINMENT HOLDING SNCO

Regimental Sergeant Major	WO I  VGRCR Ududeniya
Artificer Sergenant Major (Field)	WO I SK Rangodage
Artificer Sergenant Major (Plant)	WO II Disanayaka DMI
Regimental Quarter Master Sergenant	WO II Disanayaka DMSPN

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)

Lt Col ALIWK Athugala RSP USP psc SLE
(From 30th Jan 2021 to 03rd Mar 2023)

Lt Col NLC Chandrajith RSP SLE
(From 03rd Mar 2023 to 26th Sep 2024)