The 6th Vijayabahu Infantry regiment was established at Maduruoya, Central Camp on 17th August, 1990 under the command of Senior Officer O/50681 Major Rockwood, RSP as a permanent infantry unit of the Sri Lanka Army followed by an engagement of brief training session stationed at Muttur area in district of Trincomalee as a Infantry battalion Headquarter on 18.09.1990.
Subsequent to the agreement reached between the Officers and other ranks to included from various permanent/volunteer units by the Army Headquarters in the arduous task of building the infantry, made a total infantry division established with the entry of the officers as well as other rankers from 1 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, 4th Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Sri Lanka Armoured Corps and other regiments and when stationed in Trincomalee District under 22 Brigade, the battalion Headquarters established at Kattaparichchan Camp where the operations taken place from there.
Commanding Officer- Lt Colonel PM Rockwood RSP psc O/50691
Second in Command -Major WDP Fernando O/50928
Adjutant- Captain DSHN Dayananda O/60487
Regiment Sergeant Major - WO II Lesleykaruna KD S/500015
Regiment quarter master - Staff Sergeant Disirathna BGK S/502434
Chief Clerk - Sergeant Chandrathilaka D S/502437
No sooner the establishing of Infantry Division at Kattaparichchan in Trincomalee District, they engage in curbing the terrorist activities in the Eastern province with no hesitation act on to safeguard the integrity of the birth land with effort. The Infantry Unit was successful in destroying 02 LTTE Terrorist camps by limited operations and acted in a manner to halt LTTE activities in areas such as Kattaparichchan, Pallikudiirippu, Kiliveddy, Eethalanpattu, Selvanagar, Mahindapura and Uppural by stationing seven sub divisions spread in the entire area. By a limited operation carried out in Pahala Thoppur in Trincomalee District on 01.03.1991, the first death reported to a member below named joined in this Unit as first recruit soldier group due to an attack carried out by terrorists on 10.03.1991. It has to be mentioned that he was the first soldier of the Infantry to sacrificed for the territorial integrity, Self determination, sovereignty, unity and independence of the country. Was the first soldier of the regiment to lay his life S/502669 - L/Cpl Wasantha LH .
At the same time a small group belongs to the C coy of the 6 VIR was successful in the taking over a camp belongs to the terrorists in another operation at Pallikudirippu area in Trincomalee on 05.04.1991 where 04 terrorists have been killed and recovered 1x T56, 210x Live ammunition, 13x hand grenades, explosives , medicines and a large stock of operations kits belongs to them. An officer who joined a new in the regiment below named too was killed in this operation O/61435 Lieutenant WMS Mettananda.
He joined the regular force of the Sri Lanka army as an officer cadet on 17.01.1989, followed the course for cadet officer at Srilanka military academy, Diyathalawa, an initial member of the regiment engaged in his duties with devotion and caution towards the progress of the regiment was the first Officer to lay down and sacrificed his life for the territorial integrity, unity, and self determination, sovereignty of the country. While carrying out duties, the First Commanding Officer Major G.M. Rockwood RSP psc bid adieu from his position joined Senior Officer, Major WUB Edirisinghe as new Commanding Officer.
Anniversary celebrations were held decoratively as the first anniversary of the unit was fallen on 17.08.1991. An all night pirith chanting ceremony was held in Kattaparichchan Army camp followed by morning alms giving to Maha Sangha was taken place. This special occasion was graced by Commanding Officer Brigadier J.Nammuni and 22nd Brigade Commander and participated a large number of officers and the first unit day commemorated with a lunch served for all other rankers as well. Later on this unit was taken out from Trincomalee area on 20.05.1992 and stationed in Mullathivu district to engage in active duties. Once stationed in the Mullathivu, it was able to contribute for Sathbala operations and engaged in curbing terrorist activities in Alampil area.Until this the battalian was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel W.U,B.Edirisinghe was replaced by Major APK Gangabadaarachchi, RSP, on 19.06.1994. The fourth anniversary of the battalian was celebrated marvelously at Mullathivu camp on 17.08.1994 under the New Commanding Officer. This anniversary was participated by Army High Rhythm Band and Cultural troupe and the occasion was graced with gun salute to the commanding officer followed by lunch for all other rankers. Major APK Gangabadaarachci RSP was handed over the command on 20.07.1995 and Major TRA Aliba, O/60062 was appointed as new commanding Officer on 28.07.1995. while engaged in the duties at Mullathivu camp under Major TRA Aliba, the terrorists were made a planned attack on 18.07.1996. where the battalion was completely destroyed. As a result of this attack TRA Aliba, Unit commanding officer including 21 officers and 524 other rankers either died or disappeared.
The battalian was re-established at Welioya on 10.08.1996 under Captain CTS Molligoda, with 20 soldiers who saved their lives and 129 soldiers several others away on attachments, under courses of study, leave, short leave and on various administration duties.
The battalian engaged in active duties at Welioya area for a limited period of time, after re-establishing for second occasion and stationed in Thanthrimale area on 10.11.1996.The Second in Command at the time of re-establishment of the Unit O/60668 Major PT Warnakulasooriya took charge of his duties as Second in Command on 01.01.1997 and Major A.Kariyakarawana was appointed as Commanding Officer, took charge his duties at an auspicious time on 11.02.1997. Vavunia – Mannar high was under terrorist control by this time and provided an extra ordinary support for Edibalaya operation which aimed at to liberate the Vavunia Mannar high way held by the terrorists by this time and to flush the terrorists from the area. At the end of the operation, the Unit was on duty at the front defence line of Vavunia – Mannar main supply line under 214 Brigade and stationed in Murunkan. Later on the unit engaged in limited operations, protective assaults and patrol duties and able to successfully defend the huge assault made by the A Coy of the Unit as well as the Murunkan Police. A large number of terrorist killed during the counter offensive and recovered a haul or armory. As a result many lives were saved both of A Coy and Murunkan Police. The operation was appreciated by Brigade as well as Regiment Commander, those taken part in the operation were recommended with gallantry medals to award. The following officers and other rankers were awarded with Ranasura Medal for their extraordinary contribution/skills in the counter offensive in appreciation of their gallantry.
O/60688 Major GT Warnakulasooriya RWP
O/63612 2/Lt KTPA Kiriella RSP
S/504086 Cpl Mohamed Ali SM, RSP( deceased)
S/508121 L/C Tennakoon Banda MP, RSP
S/502745 pte Jansz JM, RSP
S/502772 pte Jayantha ADS, RSP
S/95670 pte Ranjith NC, RSP
The 09th anniversary of the battalian was taken place on 17.08.1999 presided over by Lt Col A.Kariyakarawana and other senior officers who were served as Commanding Officer at that time. This occasion was graced by a Bodhi Pooja in front of Jayasri maha Bodhi, in memory of those all war heroes whom sacrificed for the country and the nation having engaged in the duties from the inception of the battalian, dead or disappeared while engaged in active operation and to pass on merits to them as well as to pray for speedy recovery of those wounded and disabled. Alms offered to 25 members of Maha Sangha at Ratnamali Rest Hall on following day.
This was participated by more than 1500 close relatives of all war heroes of the battalian until then either diseased or wounded and provided with necessary accommodation for them. Lieutenant Colonel A. Kariyakarawana, who functioned as Commanding Officer until then was handed over to Major KC Gunawardena, RWP, O/60092 , on 01.12.1998 . The battalian engaged in operations under the command of Major Gunawardena in Mannar, Murunkan, Madu, Periyamadu for nearly 2 years in various live operations and contributed their part in the Ranagosa operation when it commenced on 10.06.1999. Later on acted to liberate Uppuarulumadu, Periyamadu, and Mankulam from terrorist grip when commenced the operation for Ranagosa I and II. According to the intelligence gathered by patrol group in the front defence line in Uppuaru area on 30.07.1999 a small group of 01 x 07 of the special infantry operation team made an spontaneous attack around 1320 hours at GR.439245 and penetrated through two LTTE bunkers on male and female terrorists stationed there. As a result of this attack four female cadres were killed and recovered aT56 No. 12025297 Mark II , 05 hand grenades. It was confirmed from their coimmunications that the terrorists suffered heavy causalities.
