In perusing the history of mankind, it appears that from time immemorial human beings have engaged in conflicts/attacks using sticks and stones at different levels against their fellow beings in their search for food, a mate and a place to live. With the evolution of civilization and man’s inherent desire to dominate, they identified themselves as separate ethnic groups, tribes and waged more complex and organized attacks and wars against each other which paved the way for countries and States to engage in major World Wars and destructive battles, necessitating the maintenance of large armies and enhancing military capability.
Analytical records found in historical epics such as Maha Bharatha, Ramayana and Ummagga Jathakaya shows that, in the early days of civilization in the South Asian region, organized battle craft, tactical strategies, military law, supply procedures adopted by logistics troops. According to the writings of Reverend Father Spence Hardy, a foreign intellectual, and our own Dr. Gunapala Malalasekera, Pandith Kumaratunga Munidasa confirms that “Ravana Period” which had surpassed the recorded history of our country is not a myth but a reality. In going through the history of Sri Lanka, our country has been freed from foreign occupation from time to time by our valiant troops who decorate the pages of our history.
In all these wars, priority is given to the supply of food and transportation of armaments and commodities required by combat troops. This is because of the universal phenomenon that every living being requires nutritious food to maintain it's health and fitness. As this is more so in the case of troops undergoing tough training and deployed in operational duties in battle theatres, food has become a vital ingredient in the war.
According to the revered Buddhist chronicle “Piruwana Potha” (The Pirith Book) Lord Buddha in answering a query from a Novice Bikkhu (Samanera) exhorted the importance of food when he pronounced that “All beings exist because of food”. It is stated in our history that our ancient kings made arrangements to provide troops engaged in battle adequate supplies of nutritious food. Mahawansa records prior to the famous Dutugemunu-Elara war, King Dutugemunu dispatched his brother Saddatissa to Digamadulla to encourage farmers to harvest all available crops and to ensure the uninterrupted availability of food required by his soldiers.
Special reference is made in the Mahawamsa that "King Walagamba" who was conducting the war in exile to emancipate the country from invaders, made arrangements to obtain food supplies for his troops through a Buddhist priest by the name of Mahatissa.
The importance of food is emphasized that during the reign of Seethawaka Rajasinghe when the King was waging war with the Portuguese, he was successful in blocking Portuguese supply lines to Colombo, and it is said that cat flesh fetched very high prices within Colombo Fort.
Our history depicts that during the early days of our Kings, transport of goods and the Kings' troops were handled by elephants, horses and human driver carts Dhathuwansa records that King Mahanaga presented a chariot drawn by four horses to the son of a wealthy merchant, called Mahakala,. Further, our history reveals that when King Walagamba was fleeing with his close allies in a chariot after the capture of Anuradhapura by the Soli invaders, Queen Soma was dropped from the chariot on the wayside, as it was overloaded and retarded its swift mobility. Sculptures and pictures of such chariots and horse- carts are still to be seen within the precincts of the Thivanka Palace. These historical artifacts provide proof of their existence.
With the capture and occupation of the Maritime provinces of Ceylon by the Portugese in 1505 and followed by the Dutch, war situations prevailed from time to time until the signing of the Kandyan Convention in 1815, making Ceylon a British Colony. The mode of transport during these battles was the horse-cart, bullock cart and manual labour, which were very effectively used and efficiently managed in the movement of food, arms and medicine for troops. Even during early times, the importance of logistics support in warfare was amply proved when the ploy of King Sithawaka Rajasinghe to cut off Portuguese supply lines to Colombo Fort, succeeded in gaining an advantage over the enemy which almost brought them to defeat.
In more recent times, ‘The Temperance Movement in Ceylon was launched to counter the spread of the sale of alcohol by the British rulers and the spirit of nationalism among the Countrymen was rapidly growing. It was during this period in 1915, that a Buddhist religious procession passing through the streets of Gampola was pelted with stones by some Muslim nationals and brought about the Sinhala-Muslim conflict, creating disturbances and riots in all parts of the country. The British rulers turned this situation to their advantage and proclaimed Martial Law in the country for 100 days and used it to suppress the activities of the leaders of the ‘Temperance Movement’ and other ‘National Movements’. On 7th July, 1915, Captain Henry Pedris was shot by a firing squad and assassinated for not carrying out the orders of an illegally constituted Court, contrary to provisions of Martial Law.
At this stage, Mr. E.W. Perera (Lion of Kotte) took a petition to the authorities in England hidden in the sole of his shoe, explaining the situation in the country. This voyage was undertaken by sea during World War I, risking his personal safety.
Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan addressed the State Council continuously for over six hours, highlighting the atrocities of the British Government and the treatment meted out to Ceylonese National leaders.
During the period under Martial Law, officers and men, mostly from the British Army and British India troops and troops from other British colonies arrived in Ceylon. In order to meet the supply and transport requirements, a Squadron of The Royal Army Service Corps was established in 1918 signaling the beginning of the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps.
Since then, up to now the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps has written its name indelibly in the annals of Sri Lanka history by providing logistic support, mainly by way of supplies, transport and ancillary services during terrorist operations and deployment of its personnel in internal security duties, the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps has rendered invaluable service and is second to none. We have also shown in the Sports arena and stamped our mark in the drill, cultural and fine arts sectors.
The long and proud history of the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps is compiled based on reliable information in our possession. We believe that, a future historical journal, of this nature will be displayed of our future successes and achievements.
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