The first volunteer battalion of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment; 2nd Battalion (Volunteer) Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was raised on 12 November 1988 at Tissawewa at the historical city of Anuradhapura. 11 Officers and 97 Other Ranks came to raise the battalion from 5th (Volunteer) Sri Lanka Artillery, 4th (Volunteer) Sri Lanka Engineers, 2nd (Volunteer) Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment, 5th (Volunteer) Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment, 2nd (Volunteer) Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, 3rd (Volunteer) Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, 2nd (Volunteer) Gamunu Watch, 3rd (Volunteer) Gamunu Watch, 2nd (Volunteer) Gajaba Regiment and Sri Lanka Pioneer Corps. Same regular troops also joined from 1st Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment. The battalion has completed 24 years of service. 9 officers had successively commanded the battalion. 4 Officers and 132 Other Ranks have laid down their lives and 3 Officers and 124 Other Ranks had become differently able.
His Excellence the president authorized the raising of 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment by a special gazette notification on 4 December 1989 and Commander of the Army Lieutenant General H Wanasinghe VSV ndc issued instruction by the Army Routine Oder 23/89. The Battalion was raised at Sandunpura, Dehiattakandiya in the Mahaweli 'C' Zone. The flag was hosted by the first Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel SD Lankadeva KSV. 8 Officers had successively commanded the battalion. 1 Officer and 73 Other Ranks have laid down their lives and 4 Officers and 96 Other Ranks had become differently able.
The 4th BattalionVijayabahu Infantry Regiment was raised on 1st August 1989 at Kandy. The first Officiating Commanding Officer was Major KCJ Jayarathne. Officers and Other Ranks were sent from Sri Lanka Armored Crops, Sri Lanka Artillery, Engineer Service Regiment, Sri Lanka Army Signal Corps, Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, Gemunu Watch, Gajaba Regiment, Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps, Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps, Sri Lanka Army Service Crops, Sri Lanka Crops of Military Police, Sri Lanka Army Medical Crops and National Armed Reserve. 9 Officers and 421 Other Ranks have laid down their lives and 21 Officers and 853 Other Ranks had become differently able. The battalion is completing 23 years in the service to the nation.
All battalions of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment were deployed for Internal Security duties during the period of 1988 - 1989 insurrection. They were deployed in Kandy, Kurunegala and Ampara areas. These battalions were appreciated for their service and for their excellent public relations during the period.
Sri Lanka Army expended and with the number of battalions increasing steadily, it adopted the Regimental Concept in 1989. The Vijayabahu Infantry Regimental Center was declared open on 22 March 1990 at Sinhavilluwatta in Puttlum. Though the regimental center was established there were considerable deficiencies hampering the functions of the center. However, the Regimental Center was undeterred amidst meager resources. Brigadier WIVKM Wimalarathne RWP RSP USP psc as the first colonel of the Regiment contributed immensely for the young Regiment to standup.
By 1993 the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment has expanded to 8 battalions and all of them were deployed in operational areas. To facilitate administration matters and provide for ever increasing battle causalities, the Regimental center was brought to its present location at Boyagane , Kurunegala on 23b April 1993. 11 Senior Officers had successively for the young Regiment to standup.
With the withdrawal of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in mid of 1990. LTTE terrorist activities increased rapidly and the Army wanted more battalions to deploy. As a result, 5th Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was raised on 20 March 1990 at Sinahavilluwatta, Puttlam. The first Commanding Officer was Lieutenant Colonel PP Fernando RSP. Officers and other Ranks were sent from 1st Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Sri Lanka Army General Service Corp, Sri Lanka Army Service Corp, Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Crop, Sri Lanka Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and National Armed Reserve. 11 Officers had successively commanded battalion. 21 Officers and 437 Other Ranks have laid down their lives and 29 Officers and 1066 Other Ranks had become differently able. The battalion is completing 23 years in the service to the nation.
6thBattalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was raised at the Army Training School at Maduruoya on 17 August 1990. The first Commanding Officer was Major GM Rockwood RSP. Officers and Other Ranks were sent from 1st Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, 6th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Sri Lanka Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Crop, Sri Lanka Army General Service Corp, Sri Lanka Army Pioneer Corp and National Armed Reserve. 12 Officers had successively commanded battalion. 29 Officers and 730 Other Ranks have laid down their lives and 7 Officers and 455 Other Ranks had become differently able. The battalion is completing 22 years in the service to the nation.
The escalation of terrorists activities rapidly continued and the integrity of the country were at stake more at stake more then any previous times. The Army was expanding rapidly to cater for the security demands. Fulfilling the requirement, the 7th Battalion Infantry Regiment was raised on 3 November 1992 at Sinhavilluwatta, Puttlam. One Rifle Company each were sent from 1st Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, 4th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment and 5th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment. Two platoons came from the 6th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment. The Battalion was amalgamated with the 5th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on 17 June 2000 and was de amalgamated on 10 May 2004. 8 Officers had successively commanded battalion. 15 Officers and 230 Other Ranks have laid down their lives and 7 Officers and 389 Other Ranks had become differently able. The battalion is completing 20 years in the service to the nation.
