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Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment

Swift & Bold

8th Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment

The Battalion reported to Katukeliyawa on 20th May 2005 to undergo Battalion Training. Halfway through the scheduled period of training battalion training, due to the unrest in Trincomaleeand the surrounding areas the Battalion was deployed on internal security duties in Sirimapura, Pallethottam, Jamaliya, Abeypura and Nelsonpura.

On 24th October 2005, Major BKJTS Rodrigo temporarily took over the command of the battalion as Lieutenant Colonel GJL Waduge RWP RSP proceeded overseas to follow a course of training.

The security situation in Trincomalee and the surrounding areas being under control the Battalion returned to Katukeliyawa in Minneriya to continue with Battalion Training.

On 10th March 2006, Lieutenant Colonel FFRM Fernando RSP psc was appointed as the Commanding Officer.

Later, the Battalion was once again deployed in Trincomalee as unrest in the area erupted.

The Battalion joined the 'Humanitarian Operation' on 14th August 2006 launched to recapture the sluice gates across the Mavilaru which was closed by terrorists denying water to civilians in the area downstream. The battalion did extremely well in the operation causing considerable damage to the terrorists.

  

The anicut at MavilAru & Troops during the operation to recapture and Sampoor

After taking control of MavilAru, the Battalion together with troops from the Special Forces battalions carried out operations against the LTTE aimed at capturing Muthur and Kattaparichchan followed by operations to capture Paattalipuram, Malaimundal, Uppural, Lankapatuna Temple area and Muththuwaram.

  

Troops at Kattaparichchan (bridge) and Lankapatuna (archaeological site) after successfully recapturing the locations

After liberating Sampur the Battalion reported to the Air Mobile Training School at Bogoda to undergo training on completion of which on 1st September 2007 the Battalion was airlifted to Silavathurai to be engaged as a player in the continuation of the 'Humanitarian Operation'. Thus making this Battalion the only Battalion to have played a part at the time of the commencement of in both Eastern and Northern Humanitarian Operations.

  

Troops engaged in an air-mobile operation & Munitions & Explosives recovered from the area previously held by the enemy