History of the 7th Volunteer Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps

7 (V) Regiment SLAC is the second Volunteer Regiment that goes on record in the history of Armour in Sri Lanka. Since 2 (V) Regiment SLAC was disbanded, 7 (V) Regiment is the only Volunteer Regiment in the Corps. As per the directions of Army Headquarters, 7 (V) Battalion Sri Lanka National Guard was absorbed in to the Armoured Corps and was renamedas 7 (V) Regiment SLAC. New Regiment was raised on 22 May 1998, at Keereamalei.

The Regiment was under 515 Brigade from 22 May 1998 to 06 June 1998 at Keeramalai. It was redeployed under 544 Brigade at Elephant Pass from 06 June 1998. During the year 1999, the regiment performed duties under 541 Brigade at Sorampaththu and under 511 Brigade at Atchchuweli.

During 2001, the regiment performed duties in Eluthumadduwal area under 552 Brigade. The Regiment was redeployed in Ariyalai area on 13 May 2001. From 15 May 2002, the Regiment was tasked to perform Internal Security duties in Jaffna town area. This was under 512 Brigade. From 07 May 2004 the Regiment was redeployed in Ariyalai sector in forward defence line duties under 514 Brigade.

OPERATIONAL COMMITMENTS

From its inception the regiment was involved in defensive operations and Internal Security operations. The regiment performed extremely well in Internal Security duties in Jaffna town during the critical period after signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the government and the LTTE.

In 2005 the regiment was deployed in Ariyalai, nallur and Navatkuli areas under 514 brigade. The regiment was entrusted withthe task of protecting the Main Supply Route from Jaffna to Kaithadi. Subsequently the regiment was deployed under 512 brigade and served in the same area up to 2011.

Then in October 2012, the regiment was deployed in Kotkolam area under 521 brigade and conducted internal security duties in order to bring normalcy to the area.Having served in the Jaffna peninsula continuously for 16 long years the regiment was re deployed in its own den at Kekirawa under 212 bde. Since then the regiment is involved in the civil military coordination duties in the area and also is involved in the development projects undertaken by the government.

COMMANDING OFFICERS

SECOND IN COMMAND