The 8th Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment was raised on 16th October 1992 at Konduvattuvan Ampara. One Company each from the 1st, 4th, 6th and 7th Battalions of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment that were released from the said battalions were grouped together to form the 8th Battalion. Thus, the initial strength of the battalion was 17 officers and 657 other rankers.
On 16th October 1992 Lieutenant Colonel JC Kotalawala was appointed as the Commanding Officer of the Battalion.
The Battalion being deployed on operational duties since its inception,its headquarter was also established in operational areas while its read rear headquarter was established at Ambepussa. Later, on 3rd October 1993 once the Kegalle Camp became the Battalions permanent home, its rear headquarter was established at Kegalle.
In the early days troops of the Battalion were deployed at the Ampara Central Camp, 161 Post, Periyapillumale, Kosgolla, Colombo Junction, Nugelanda, Paladiwatta, Sinnawatta, Batto Junction, Mandur, Vellaveli, 13th Colony, 14th Colony and Walakadeon operational duties.
On 10th January 1993, S/351274 Rifleman Premadasa RD while engaged on a route clearing patrol at Kosgolla, was shot dead by terrorists making him the first soldier of the Battalion to be killed in action.
On 12th August 1993 Lieutenant Colonel P Pannipitiya took over command of the Battalion.
On 30th September 1993 all the companies of the Battalion reported to its headquarters after which the 'A' company was deployed at Hingurakgoda while 'B', 'C', 'D' and Support companies were deployed at the Monkey Bridge Camp in Trincomaleeto be deployed on operational duties.
With the launching of 'Operation Yaldevi', all Companies of the Battalion reported to Veththileikerni to be engaged on the operation. On completion of the operation the headquarters of the Battalion was shifted to the Monkey Bridge Camp in Trincomalee while 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D' companies deployed at Siththaru, Welgamvehera, Ella and Palampataru respectively.
The Battalion took part in 'Operation Champaign' launched on 14th October 1993 aimed at destroying the terrorist in the Kumburupidi jungles and then joined 'Operation Rainbow' launched on 23rd October 1993 in Mavila Aru.
Later the Battalion moved to Sinhapura in Welikanda to be placed under command to the 23 Division. On 14th November 1993, while functioning under the 23 Divisionthe Battalion was rushed to Pooneryn to be part of the counter attack against the LTTE that at the time had launched an attack on the Army's defences in Pooneryn. Later, on 16th November 1993 Battalion relieved the 1 SLLI which at the time of the said attack was deployed at Pooneryn. Also, 2 officers and 99 other rankers from the 'C' company reported to Vettilakerni to be part of the 10SLSR.
On 24th March 1994 Major MPHF Jayasooriya took over as the Commanding Officer of the Battalion.
The Battalion underwent Battalion Training at Maduruoya from 21st February to 1st April 1995.
After completion of Battalion Training the Battalion was placed under command to the 6thBrigade. Having established its headquarters at Nelumwewa, Welioya and the companies were deployed at Janakapura and Kalyanipura from 6th April 1995. Being deployed in the area the Battalion was part of the counter attack launched against the LTTE's attack on Nelumwewa, Janakapura, Ethawetunuwewa and Kalyanipura. The counter attack was successfully completed with the number of enemy killed reported to be over 300 of its cadres.
Later the Battalion took part in 'Operation Shakehand II' launched to capture Mallakam in Jaffna and thereafter joining with troops from the Special Forces and Commando Battalions took part in 'Operation Thunder Skill II', launched to destroy the terrorists FDL at Mallakam and to re-capture Achchuweli.
Taking part in 'Operation Riviresa' launched to liberate parts of the Jaffna Peninsula from the control of the LTTE, the Battalion operated as a forward strike battalion tasked to capture the area from Achchuweli to Kopai. During this Operation, the troops of the Battalion successfully destroyed the terrorists bunker line at Nirveli and captured an underground hospital at Kopai.
