HISTORY OF 8TH BATTALION THE VIJAYABAHU INFANTRY REGIMENT
In 1980’s, the necessity of increasing infantry battalions was emerged to counter the insurgency and maintain the territorial integrity of the country. As a result of the developed situation, the Commander of the Army then, Lieutenant General LMCE Waidhyarathna psc ndc has issued the raising instructions ARO 32/93 to establish the junior most battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment then. Accordingly, the 8th Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was raised on 03rd December 1993 at Sinhavilluwaththa, Puttalam, consisting with three Rifle Companies due to lack of troops at the beginning. Auspicious time to opening of the battalion was at 0817hr on 03rd December 1993. The first Commanding Officer was Major AMB Peiris (O/50871). Opening day ceremony of the battalion was ornated with a pirith chanting ceremony followed by All Ranks addressed by the Commanding Officer.
Since the inauguration of the battalion, the heroic officers and men of the battalion have tremendously sacrificed to bring the peace to the motherland. During the three decades of the ruthless conflict situation in the country, there were 12 officers and 123 Other Ranks have made their ultimate sacrifice in the name of the nation. During the battalion history, there were 24 officers and 233 Other Ranks have been wounded in action. Bravery and valor of the proud battalion is proven and highlighted by the galentery awards of 2 Weera Wicrama Vibushana (WWV), 34 Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) and 259 Rana Soora Padakkama (RSP) which have been awarded to the heroic officers and men of the battalion.
During the post- conflict scenario of the country, the battalion has dedicatedly contributed to various nation building programmes, disaster relief operations, CIMIC activities to heal the war-battered minds of people in the area and many other comminunty based activites to uplift the living standard. At present, the battalion is deployed in Jeewanagar- Murunkan area, under the operational command of 542 Infantry Brigade. Competent officers and men of the battalion perform their best to keep flying high the battalion flag in the fields of operational, administration, sports and every other extra curricular activities both in regiment and field formation level.
