The 16th Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment was formed on 16th January 1997 at Elephant Pass under the command of Lieutenant Colonel WKSN Weerawatta as its Commanding Officer and was deployed at Elephant Pass itself for operational duties.
Deployed in Elephant Pass the Battalions main task was to ensure the security of the area. However, troops of the Battalion were also deployed to carry out small group operations in the Pooneryn. Engaged in operational duties the Battalion lost a considerable number of men either killed or wounded during confrontations with the enemy. Subsequently due to the lack of a sufficient number of troops in the Battalion, the Battalion was amalgamated with 10th Battalion of the Sinha Regiment.
On 1st July 2008 the 16th Battalion of the Sinha Regiment was re-established at the Regimental Headquarters at Ambepussa with the prime objective of assisting the 'Wanni Humanitarian Operation', A total of 17 officers & 544 men made of the initial strength of the Battalion at the time of it being re-established. These personnel were those who had returned from overseas after a stint on a United Nations Peace Keeping Mission and others who reported from other Battalions.
Having first overlooked the duties of the Commanding Officer of the Battalion, Major DMPD Dissanayakeon 6th August 2008 was appointed as the Officiating Commanding Officer.
The 16th Battalion underwent Battalion Training at the Battalion Training School at Sinhapura. On completion of training, the Battalion was deployed in Kilinochchi placed under command to the 573 Brigade and detailed to be part of the 'Wanni Humanitarian Operation'.
The Commanding Officer with the Commander of the 57 Division at Kilinochchi
Troops from rifle companies formed into small groups carried attacks against the enemy positions achieving much success in destroying the enemy.
Troops at Vavunikulam, Kilinochchi
On 5th September 2008 the troops were placed under command to the 571 Brigade and deployed in Vavunikulam, Kilinochchi.
Troops were also successful in repulsing a number of attacks launched by the enemy on the forward defence lines in Akkarayankulam, Kilinochchi.
On 1st January 2009 troops on the 'Humanitarian Operation' advanced towards the A9 road and Iranamadu Junction which was a vital need for the capturing of Kilinochchi Town.
The capturing of the bund of the Iranamadu Tank (wewa) on 4th January 2009 held until then by the terrorists made way for the capture of the LTTE's airstrip at Iranamadu. Following heavy fighting troops of the Battalion captured Darmapuram, in Kilinochchi on 23rd January 2009. Repeated defeats faced by the enemy caused them to blast and destroy the bund of Kolamadukulam Tank (wewa) on 24th January 2009 causing floods in the areas below the tank occupied at the time by a large number of troops. However, owing to the vigilance of the troops a disaster was averted.
Troops on the tank bed of Kolamadukulam tank The Battalion flag flying high on the bund of Iranamadu tank after being recaptured from enemy control
