7TH BATTALION THE VIJAYABAHU INFANTRY REGIMENT

RAISING OF THE BATTALION

In the 1980’s the necessity of increasing infantry battalions emerged in countering the insurgency and maintaining the integrity of the country as a result of that 7 th Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was raised on 03rd November 1992 at Sinhavilluwaththa - Puttalam as a junior most battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment.

At beginning due to lack of troops battalion was consist with three rifle companies and later D company raised to fulfill the requirement of the battalion. To support the fulfillment of the troops in that time 1, 4, 5 VIR regular battalions were contributed by each one rifle company and 6 VIR contributed by two rifle companies.

THE PIONEERS OF THE PROUD BEGINNING

a.         First Commanding Officer     -           Maj GPR De Silva
b.         Second in Command                -           Maj RV Samarathunga
c.         Adjutant                                  -           Capt DSN Dayananda
d.         Intelligent Officer                    -           Lieutenant WASP Viyathunga
e.         Regimental Sergeant Major   -           WI Ariyapala WRA
f.          Regimental Quartermaster      -           WII Chandradasa SA
g.         Chief Clerk                             -           S/Sgt Thilakasiri BG

CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE MAIN OPERATIONS

1. GOLD MIKE                                    -           1991.12.28      -  1991.12.29
2. SEDA PAHARA                                 -           1993.03.17      -  1993.03.22
3. IDIRI PIMMA                                    -           1995.07.05       -  1995.07.20
4. SHAKE HAND II                               -           1995.09.12      -  1995.09.20
5. RIVIRESA                                         -           1995.11.01      -  1996.03.05
6. KINIHIRA II                                      -           2001.03.21       -  2001.03.26
7. AGNI KEELA                                    -           2001.04.15      -  2001.04.22
8. WANNI HUMANITARIAN OPS    -           2008.11.14       -   2009.05.18

PREVIOUSLY DEPLOYED LOCATIONS

S/N	Location	Duration
01	WELIOYA	YEAR 1992
02	VAVUNIYA	YEAR 1993
03	PUNARIN	YEAR 1994
04	JAFFNA	YEAR 1995
05	WANDARAMULLA	YEAR 1996
06	PARANTAN	YEAR 1997
07	KILINOCHCHI	YEAR 1998
08	MANKULAM	YEAR 1999
09	ELEPHANT PASS	YEAR 2000
10	KILALI	YEAR 2001
11	MIRISUVIL	YEAR 2002
12	ELUTHUMADDUWAL	2003.10.22 - 2004.04.17
13	KKS	2004.04.18 - 2006.07.27
14	NIRWELI	2006.07.28 - 2006.09.03
15	KILALI	2006.09.04 - 2007.02.20
16	MUHAMALEI	2007.02.21 - 2009.01.05
17	ELEPHANT PASS	2009.01.06 - 2009.01.10
18	VETTALAKARNI	2009.01.11 -  2009.01.31
19	CHUNDIKULAM	2009.02.01 - 2009.03.10
20	CHALEI	2009.03.11 - 2009.03.17
21	PUDUMATHALAN	2009.03.18 - 2009.06.05
22	ELEPHANT PASS	2009.06.06 -  2010.10.14
23	CHAVAKACHCHERI	2010.10.15 - 2013.01.05
24	VALVETITHUREI	2013.01.06 - 2016.02.10
25	PUTTALAM	2016.02.10 - 2018.08.18
26	SOUTHBAR	2018.08.13 -  2022.03.20
27	ALLARAI	2022.03.20 -  Up to now

THE JOURNEY THROUGH BLOOD AND SAND

With raising of the battalion, the unit spread out to different areas to perform the duties where the headquarters located in Gajasinhapura in that time Alpha and Bravo companies defended the Puliyankulama forward defence line, Charley company  attached with the 6th Brigade and launched the first offensive operation Gold Mike in Weli Oya area. In this offensive operation Charley troops able to defeated no of terrorists and acquired the weapons and ammunitions used by terrorists. At the end of the operations two soldiers made their supreme sacrifice to our nation and wrote their name in golden history till today as the first soldiers killed in action.
a.         S/68655  L/Cpl   Thilakarathne GB
b.         S/68664   L/Cpl   Gunadasa       HK

      In November 1993 the LTTE defeated the army in the battle of Pooneryn. In that situation battalion was ordered to relocate from the Gajasinhapura to Poonarin to re - established the Pooneryn army camp on 13th December 1993 under 10th Brigade.

On 02nd of July 1994, one of the listening elements was able to launched a surprise attack to LTTE cadres who came to recce the forward defence line and  troops were able to captured many weapons and ammunitions used by the LTTE. Again on 29th of August, battalion launched a thundering attack towards the LTTE forward defence line and done massive damage by capturing weapons and ammunitions. With the beginning of the  Eelam war III, on 19th April 1995 the battalion done a withdrawal by aircrafts to the Palali. Later from 10th July 1995 to 20th July 1995 the battalion was participated in Operation Idiri Pimma under the 28 Brigade. In the operation launched from kadduwan forward defence line to Jaffna on 12th September 1995, the battalion was engaged in the operation Shakehand II under the 511 Brigade. It was a historical victory to the battalion but six soldiers done their supreme sacrifice during the battle.
14th of October 1995 was a remarkable and unforgettable day to the battalion, troops were defending the Alaweddi forward defence  line in Riviresa operation, heavy fire attack was launched by LTTE by trying to penetrate but all the efforts were useless our troops were able halt the fire and launched a counter attack against to the LTTE. This cause a huge damage to the LTTE and at the end no of weapons and explosives were found. During the battle, one soldier made his supreme sacrifice to the motherland.
In 20th June 1996, battalion was relocated from Batticaloa to Elephant Pass, one of the bluest moment to the battalion history the person who done a remarkable service to the battalion Lt Col G P R De Silva left the battalion on 17th August 1996. Then temporary Lt Col I A P Iddamalgoda from SLE Regiment was appointed on 02nd  September 1996 and soon after on 28th September 1996, again Major V N Koswatta from SLCMP took over the duties as the Commanding Officers of the battalion.
In 10th  March 1998, Lt Col V N Koswatta handed over the duties to the Major W S Ariyasinghe as the new commanding officer of the battalion. To improve the efficiency in battlefield battalion got a chance to participate in battalion training in Settikadu Battalion Training school from 17th April 1999 to 18th May 1999, after the termination of the course battalion was deployed in Paranthan forward defense line. General area Paranthan was a huge defence boundary of LTTE in that time.

AMALGAMATE WITH 5

In 22nd April 2000 all solders in the unit came to Nagarkovil and 17th  June 2000, 5th VIR amalgamate with 7 VIR and 5/7 VIR raised as new unit and Major DMDSD Gunawardana had being appointed as the Commanding Officer of that   unit and it continue their  duty in Kilali front line. 5/7 VIR contributed to their support to the operation Kinahira hada and Agnibalaya.

FORMER COMMANDING OFFICERS

  On 10th May 2004 again raised the 7 VIR and Major Kirthisena RSP was appointed as the Commanding Officer of the unit. After that 17th June 2006, Major DMKDB Pusssella takes over as a Commanding Officer of the battalion where the battalion was performed duties in the Neerweli area under 511 Brigade. Aftermath battalion moved to the Muhamalai forward defence line to engage with LTTE.  In 26 January 2007 LTTE attempt to conducted heavy fight through the Muhamalai forward defence line but troops were able to taking control of the forward defence by given  massive counter attack to the LTTE taken 1 LTTE lives and found  2 x T -56 weapons.
The battalion was launched considerable amount of surprise attack to enemy forward defence line in Muhamalai and given uncountable damage to the LTTE bunkers during the time period from 30 July 2007 to 08 October 2007.  In 24 October 2007, special infantry team of the battalion was conducted ambush in forward edge of the Muhamai Defence line  enemy and took the lives of 2 x LTTE cadres with capturing 1 x T -56 weapon, 11 x Hand Grenade,  1 x  map and 1 x Communication set.
In 1 November 2007 battalion able to launched heavy attack to LTTE defence by penetrating the their forward defence line during the attack  3 x soldiers sacrificed their lives and 1 x officer and 24 other rankers were got injured.

Lieutient M N Rajapaksha(O/66002), S/514844 Cpl Buddika WG  and S/516701 Pte Pushpakuma K sacrifice their lives to the motherland during the battle of Muhamalai forward defence line with LTTE on 24  January 2008.

  Lieutient M N Rajapaksha(O/66002), S/514844 Cpl Buddika WG  and S/516701 Pte Pushpakuma K sacrifice their lives to the motherland during the battle of Muhamalai forward defence line with LTTE on 24  January 2008.

In 7 April to 26 April 2008, 7 VIR troops launched a heavy attack to the LTTE forward defence line and able to cause massive destruction to the enemy line and destroy the bunkers. During the battle Lieutenant WPS Wijesuriya (O/65818), S/509430 Pte Mithrasena W, S/ 184832 Pte Lakmal HAS, S/516258 L/Cpl Anurakumara UDM, S/ 514049 L/Cpl perera SHA sacrifices their lives.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE HUMANTARIAN OPERATION

LTTE had plan well prepared defense lines in Muhamalai and Nagarkovil by laying mine fields/ booby traps to diminish the advance of army troops. 7 VIR under 55 div and 553

 brigades tasked to open a first front line. Therefore, battalion had opportunity to get special training under the assistance of Commando and Special Forces.

CAPTURED THE LTTE SECOND LINE OF MUHAMALAI

Commanding Appointments for The Operation

1. Commanding Officer        - Lt Col DMKDB Pussella (O/61120)
2. Second In Command        - Maj WSN Hemarathna psc (O/62063)
3. Ops & Trg Officer            - Maj URIB Ranathunga (O/62857)
4. OC A Coy                         - Capt AADUW Arangalla (O/65483)
5. OC B Coy                         - Capt RPSPK Rajapaksha (O/65576)
6. OC C Coy                         - Capt ATJI Prasanna (O/63518)
7. OC D Coy                         - Capt KIA Abrew (O/65985)

    The army troops cause great challenge to attack and capture the LTTE second defence line where the LTTE prepared it high level from ground and it facilitated to their snipers to get easiest target during army troops advancing towards their defence line. Therefore, in the 1st stage special force troops were deployed in the forward edge of the main defence line and observe their activities and launched surprise attack to the defence line which was caused maximum overwhelm to their bunkers.

   In the 2nd stage 7 VIR troops able prepared trenches towards to the enemy second line in secret manner and constructed bunkers along the trenches. In 0515 hrs on 09 November 2008 after confirming all details 7 VIR troops launched surprise attack and infiltrated some places of the enemy second line by causing heavy destruction to the LTTE.

Commanding Appointments for The Operation

Commanding Appointments for The Operation

1. Commanding Officer        - Lt Col DMKDB Pussella (O/61120)
2. Second In Command        - Maj WSN Hemarathna psc (O/62063)
3. Ops & Trg Officer            - Maj SHTCAS Samarathunga  (O/64003)
4. OC A Coy                         - 2/lt EHVR De Silva (O/66341)
5. OC B Coy                         - Capt RPSPK Rajapaksha (O/65576)
6. OC C Coy                         - Capt ATJI Prasanna (O/63518)
7. OC D Coy                         - Capt KIA Abrew (O/65985)

 

    On 16 and 17 December 2008, troops launched offensive to the enemy third defence line but the LTTE carders engaged in a heavy mortar and RPG fire from their new positions however army troops took counter measures to against them. As per pre plan 7 VIR able to diggings trenches towards to the enemy third line by stealth operation initiated by the small groups. During this battle 2 x soldiers were sacrifice their lives and 09 x soldiers got injured.

   Within this period battalion was deployed task oriented small group to collect details and observe the enemy activities in the third defence line with the support of using satellite image/UAV. In 1st stage troops launched deliberate attack to the enemy bunkers in third defence line in 1745hrs on 05 January 2009 with fire support of the armour troops.

    On 06 January 2009 (0555hrs), C company able to infiltrate the enemy third line and make a foot hold by capturing enemy bunker. After that battalions troops launched heavy attack to the third defence line and infiltrated it 4 places and take entire control of enemy third defence line at 1050hrs on 06 January 2009 by given battle wining to the SL army. During the battle 3 x soldiers were died and 1 x 22 were got injured, following items were captured from the LTTE.

a.         01 x ICOT communication set
b.         02 x RPG
c.         02 x T - 56 weapons
d.         80 x T - 58 ammo
e.         28 x Hand Granade
f.          03 x Belt Order

ADVANCE TO THE PALLAI TOWN FROM MUHAMALAI FDL

Commanding Appointments for The Operation

1. Commanding Officer        - Lt Col DMKDB Pussella (O/61120)
2. Second In Command         - Maj WSN Hemarathna psc (O/62063)
3. Ops & Trg Officer             - Maj SHTCAS Samarathunga  (O/64003)
4. OC A Coy                           - 2/lt EHVR De Silva (O/66341)
5. OC B Coy                          - Capt RPSPK Rajapaksha (O/65576)
6. OC C Coy                          - Capt ATJI Prasanna (O/63518)
7. OC D Coy                          - Capt KIA Abrew (O/65985)

After the capturing of LTTE third defence line battalion was task continue to capture the LTTE build - up areas with the combination of 6 SLLI and 4 GW on 06 January 2009 due to the ground limitations and LTTE fire 6 SLLI troops unable to cross the area. In this situation Commander - 553 Brigade given task to the 7 VIR troops to continue with advance and capture the LTTE controlled area.

   On 08 January 2009 operation started and battalion was advance with the axis of A -9 road and in the south, Delta company has advanced with the coordination of other riffle company and 53 Division. The degradation exerted by 7 VIR troops reduced the LTTE combat efficiency which prevented from enemy attack. In 0940hrs on 08 January 2009, Alpha Coy troops were able to capture Palali town located along the A - 9 roads.

FFENSIVE TO CAPTURE THE SORATIPATHTHU

Commanding Appointments for The Operation

1. Commanding Officer       - Lt Col DMKDB Pussella (O/61120)
2. Second In Command         - Maj WSN Hemarathna psc (O/62063)
3. Ops & Trg Officer            - Maj SHTCAS Samarathunga  (O/64003)
4. OC A Coy                          - 2/lt EHVR De Silva (O/66341)
5. OC B Coy                           - CPAT RPSPK Rajapaksha (O/65576)
6. OC C Coy                          - Capt ATJI Prasanna (O/63518)
7. OC D Coy                          - Capt KIA Abrew (O/65985)

    Subsequently, after the capturing of Palali town 7 VIR troops continue with operation while Delta Coy advancing north of the A -9 roads with the coordination of remain riffle coy. In 1400hrs on 08 January 2009 troops were engage with LTTE and troops able to destroy their bases in short of the time period by capturing Soratipaththu area.

OFFENSIVE TO CAPTURE THE ELEPHANT PASS
   7 VIR troops continued advance from sorathipattu to elephant pass on 09 January 2009.  At 1100 hrs on the day 58 Division troops able to capture the entire Elephant Pass area.

ADVANCE FROM EPS TO THE CHUNDIKULAM

  

The Chundikulam Lagoon was the first of the lagoons which the 55 Division had to cross. The LTTE had expected an attack on a wide front, going down the side of the lagoon where the waters were calmer and shallower. Secure behind the natural and man-made defences, LTTE sat and waited for the conventional attack whichthey felt had to come. Instead of attacking wide front, the assault was launched across the narrowest and deepest part of the lagoon,the weakest point of the LTTE defence. To support of this operation 7 VIR battalion was deployed in VETHTHALAKRNI to provide reinforcement for attacking troops on 12 January 2009.

CAPTURE THE CHALAI

    At Chalai too, the lagoon ran deep into the land. Although it was heavily mined, the narrowest front was chosen yet again. Once again, the crossing was made under fire and night. The entire area was heavily defended, which bunkers and trenches that they could hardly see. On 31 January 2009 battalion was tasked to launch an attack and capture the Chalai under 553 Brigade of 55 Division.

      On 01 February 2009, 7 VIR troops (D Coy) launched a deliberate attack to LTTE second defence line - Chalai with support of the Commando small group and take control over the enemy second line. In 02 February 2009, C Coy continued with the operation to capture the remaining enemy control area in Chalai. On 1300hrs in same day, LTTE small group were detected by the C Coy small group deployed in forward area and team was launched surprise attack to the LTTE carders by taking 01 x LTTE lives to the count with their equipment..

   On 03 February 2009, humanitarian operation continued to the capture Chalai with support of indirect fire from artillery and mortars by reducing LTTE combat efficiency and battle lasted about 3 days. In 05 February 2009, troops controlled entire Chalai area and forcing LTTE to withdraw their to next position. During the confrontation 6 x soldiers were got injured and following equipment’s captured from the LTTE..

a.         01 x MPMG weapon
b.         05 x T - 56 weapons
c.         03 x T - 56 magazines
d.         40 x 12.7 ammo
e.         75 x 7.62 ammo
f.          45 x 50mm ammo
g.         10 x Hand Granade
h.         02 x FMC packs
i.          05 x 2.5V batteries

OFFENSIVE TO CAPTURE THE LTTE FDL - PUDUMATHALAN

    The Humanitarian Operation that commenced in Mavil Aru,converted itself it to a civilian rescue mission in the last phases of the war as the civilians were forcibly held against their will by the LTTE, in the area of Pudumattalan, Karayamullivaikkal and vellimullivaikkal, where the geographical location (between the lagoon and the sea) made it difficult to create passages for the civilians to cross over the to the liberated area. Crossing the canal was a water based operation where sometimes a home base was related to an island in the water via which small groups carried out initial recce, adopted stealth moves and made surprise entries. The stealth operation was initiated by small groups in locally created rafts without the aid of rope as it may have led to detection. Instead divers and skilled swimmers assisted in direction and guidance.

    The LTTE countered by constructing earth bunds and multiple layers of obstacles creating twin complications to delay entry and hinder entrapped civilians access to freedom.

    In this situation, 7 VIR battalion assigned task to open mobility corridors to the civilians and capture the FDL at Pudumattalan under 55 Division. Due to the ground

limitations and man - made obstacles battalion has pre - planned to conducted small group operation into LTTE FDL. As per plan, small groups on surprise landings under cover of night crawled inland and were met by earth bunds. Maximum surprise was utilized in negotiating the earth bunds while reserves stood in the background. Due to oncoming attack, troops had to dig positions in the ground.The trenches had to be dug at night to avoid visibility, a hazardous operation since the LTTE kept on firing during construction.

Commanding Appointments for The Operation

1. Commanding Officer        - Lt Col DMKDB Pussella (O/61120)
2. Second In Command        - Maj WMNKD Bandara psc (O61125)
3. Ops & Trg Officer            - Maj URIB Ranathunga (O/62857)
4. OC SP Coy                       - Maj SATCAS Samarathunga (O/64003)
5. OC A Coy                         - Capt AADUW Arangalla (O/65483)
6. OC B Coy                         - Lt WTD Tharanga (O/66172)
7. OC C Coy                         - Capt ATJI Prasanna (O/63518)
8. OC D Coy                         - Capt KIA Abrew (O/65985)

 

The LTTE also used snipers and anti-tank guns. The approaches were heavily mined and attack against the escaping civilian by the LTTE became more frequent. 7 VIR sent small groups to the forward line and launched small arms fired from diverse positions at close range often succeeded in disorientating and eliminated LTTE fire power. During the last period of the humanitarian operation 01 x 05 were sacrifice their lives to the motherland where the 01x 13 got injured and LTTE death bodies, equipment’s also captured by the troops.

a.         Capt KIA Abrew (O/65935)
a.         S/516526 L/Cpl Sandaruwan HABC
b.         S/ 517386 Pte Pathirana SR
c.         S/518323 Pte Laksitha BPA
d.         S/516526 Pte Kulasinghe HAM
e.         S/519855 Pte Premasiri RP

Captured Details
a.         24 x Death Bodies
b.         30 x T - 56 weapons
c.         01 x MPMG
d.         03 x T-81 weapons
e.         01 x RPG
f.          02 x 12.7 weapons
g.         66 x Hand Granade
h.         01 x I COM set

THE CIVILIAN RESCUE OPERATION

    After the capturing the entire enemy controlled area 7VIR troops also joined to rescue the civilians were being hostage by LTTE. Furthermore, prior to embarking on rescue operation, model training and rehearsal and situation training mainly focusing on rescue operations were conducted. By establishing secure launching pads for subsequent operations it was possible to open more secure passage for evacuations, and over 10885 civilians were saved from the hands of the LTTE and their immediate medical needs and basic comforts were provided by the battalions.

BATTALION ACHIEVEMENTS