The 1st Reinforcement Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, which was raised later renamed as the 25th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was raised on 1 December 2008. One Officer and 15 Other Ranks from Sri Lanka Armored Corps, One Officer and 15 Other Ranks from Sri Lanka Artillery, One Officer and 8 Other Ranks from Sri Lanka Signals Crops, 38 Other Ranks from Sri Lanka Sinaha Regiment, 38 Other Ranks from Gamunu Watch, 11 Officer and 132 Other Ranks from 1st Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment and several other ranks from several units including troops with low medical categories came to raise the Battalion. Major ASM Fariz was the first Officiating Commanding Officer.
With the same intensity of war efforts existing, 19th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was raised on 1 January 2009 at Kilinochchi. The first Officiating Commanding Officer was Major KAWNH Bandaranayake. 2 Officers had successively commanded the battalion. 8 Other Ranks have laid down their lives and 19 Other Ranks had become differently able.
17th (Volunteer) Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was raised on 2 January 2009. The first Officiating Commanding Officer was Major IWMAP Illangakoon.
With Officer and Other Ranks of low medical categories from various regiments of the Army, the 3rd Reinforcement Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment which was later renamed as the 27th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was raised on 20 May 2009 at Gajasinghepura. The first Officiating Commanding Officer was Major PNJS Fernando. Later this Battalion was disintegrated.
With 13 Officer and 550 Other Ranks from all Volunteer battalions of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment 21st (Volunteer) Battalion frVijayabahu Infantry Regiment was raised on 12 August 2009 at Jaffna. The first Officiating Commanding Officer was Major DJ Disanayake. It was disintegrated on 31 March 2012.
On 23 September 2009, 22nd Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was raised at Kallar. The first Officiating Commanding Officer was Major PSS Sanjeewa RSP. 2 Officers had successively commanded battalion. 2 Other Ranks had become differently able.
On 24 November 2009, 23rd Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was raised at Vellikkulam, Nedunkeni. The first Officiating Commanding Officer was Major KDML Samaradiwakara. 3 Other Ranks had become differently able due to terrorists improvised explosive devices.
24th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was raised at Panagoda. The first Officiating Commanding Officer was Major TMF Kichilan. The Battalion deployment in manner for duties.
The Regimantal Center of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment has shouldered all administrative works 15 Regular battalions and 8 Volunteer battalions. All Vijayaabahu Infantry Regiment's battalions had been serving in operational areas for long periods and had contributed immensely during humanitarian operations. From the first round fired in the Eastern theater, till the last round fried in Vellamulliveikkal, Vijayabahu troops had been in the forefront to protect the integrity and the sovereignty of the country. Vijayabahu troops eliminated the terrorist leadership in the final battle putting an end to the thirty years long war. From the inception of the 1st Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, troops had participated in many major operations such as Chandamaruthaya, Balawegaya I & II, Idiripimma, Yaldevi, Sathjaya Valampuri, Rivibalaya, Rivirasa I,II & III, Trividabalaya, Akunupahara, Kinihira, Edibala, Chathuranga I & II, Ranagosa, jayasikuru and the final Humanitarian Operation. Ever since 135 Officer and 2515 Other Ranks had laid their lives making the highest sacrifice for their motherland. 132 Officers and 4842 Other Ranks had become permanently disabled holds over 650 officers and 15000 Other Ranks.
Nearly 3050 Vijayabahu heroes had laid down their in the victorious battle conducted in a 30 years period. Their sacrificed their future for the future of the others. These heroes are remembered in the dawn and dusk at the newly completed 'Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment's War Memorial. The herbal Garden planted by the kith and kin of the war heroes commemorate their loved ones bring tears to all eyes as their legacies still facilitate the generosity they bestowed on the nation.
Vijayabahu warriors had won many accolades in the sports filed as well as in the battle field. They had brought glory to the Army and country. Specially in motor racing Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment has reached top of it's achievements.
Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment contributes to the Government's "Api wawamu Rata Nagamu" programme. The Regiment has two agriculture projects at Neela Bemma and Hekitta.
It an honour to receive President Colors and Regimental Colors on the Silver Jubilee. It is the greatest honour to receive those colors from His Excellency the President Honorable Mahinda Rajapaksha, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment has lived up to the reputation of king Vijayabahu I who liberated the country from the chola empire after 43 years of rule' it has taken the protection of the sovereignty of the contribute to the development of the country too. As Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment fired the last round of the last battle at Vellamullivaikkal, it swears to continue to protect the country against any adversary with is motto "What is the brunt that cannot be borne by a skillful and tactful one?" as the guide.
Raising Of the BattalionThe 4th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was established on 1st August 1989 at historical city Kandy to strengthen the Sri Lanka Army with the objective of safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the island of Sri Lanka which was promulgated by the Military Order on 10th August 1989. The battalion was stationed in historic Senkadagala City and was deployed for active duty in the Kurunegala Coordinating Headquarters of the famous Athugal City in the North Western Province. January 28, 1990 the raising of the battalion was held with the participation of Brigadier KJC Perera, who was the Commander of the 31st Brigade back then.
The beginning of a proud battalion
Commanding Officer - O / 50674 Major KCJ Jayaratne
Second in Command - O / 60018 Major MS Ilangamge
Adjutant - O / 60290 AVS de Zoysa
QM - O / 61181 DK Chandradasa
Regimental Sergeant Major S / 501786 WO 1 GG Kulatunga
Key Operations Green Belt 1,2,3 Unerder 5th Bde 1992 April 23 Sathjaya 1,3 Under 7th Bde 1996 June 26 – 1996 October 2 Silver Screen Under 1998 June 08 Op Mavilaru 23 DIV East Operation 23 Div Wanni Humanitarian War 681 Bde
History in BriefAt the inception of the unit, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) was active in thwarting terrorist activities in the Kandy and Matale districts. A team of 02 officers and 75 other ranks were deployed under the Security Forces Headquarters (Kalutara). This battalion was deployed to Kurunegala Coordinating active duty in that district in the on 10 December 1989. The unit pioneered the active duty of counter-terrorism in the Kurunegala District and initiated a pilot project to establish peace in the district and lay the foundations for self-employment among the students in the area. The Ceremony for the giveaway of insignia was held on 28th January 1990 at the Athugalpura Wehera Camp at the Battalion Headquarters.
In March 1990, a unit team consisting of 03 officers and 94 other ranks was sent to Talaimannar on active duty to suppress terrorism. After handing over the duties of the Kurunegala District to the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on June 14, 1990, he returned to the Puttalam camp to leave for active duty in the Mannar District. The unit left for Mannar on June 15, 1990 and Deployed at Silawathura Camp on July 3, 1990. By August 1, 1990, the battalion was headquartered at the Thaladi base in Mannar. On April 23, 1991, the unit was deployed at Nanattan Camp, Mannar. Troops deployed at the Nanattan camp in Mannar on April 23, 1991, launched a massive offensive operation while conducting search operations from Nanattan to Wankale on April 29, 1991. Troops also launched a massive counterattack against the terrorists, inflicting heavy casualties on them. Battalion participated in the green Belt at Mannar on 23 April 1992 under the 5th Brigade Headquarters. At the end of the operation, the troops were deployed at the Thirukethiswaram camp in Mannar. After being active in the Mannar District for over two years, canp was handed over 2GR and Battalion headed to Elephant Pass on July 20, 1992. On June 26, 1996, the unit participated in the operation Sathjaya to capture the city of Kilinochchi. Following the successful completion of the operation, the unit was deployed in the Paranthan area on October 2, 1996 under the 541 Brigade Headquarters under the 54 Division. Later, a limited number of operations were carried out to consolidate power in the area. At the end of the operation, the area was handed over to the 10th Sri Lanka Singha Regiment and relocated under the 10th Brigade Headquarters.
On January 9, 1997, the LTTE launched a major attack against Elephant Pass and Paranthan. The Battalion successfully countered it. participated in the Screening Operation launched in Kilinochchi on June 08, 1998. This unit has been deployed in Elephant Pass and Paranthan areas for more than 7 years. On August 08, 1999, troops were deployed at the Elephant Pass Camp under the 543 Brigade and relocated to Paranthan under the 545 Brigade from 09.09.1999. 4th Battalion and 1st Battalion were merged on 10th October 1999. This unit has been located in Elephant Pass Iyakachchi area since 10th October 1999. During that period, troops of the 54 Division strategically retreated to the Pallai area on 24.04.2000 2000 due to heavy terrorist attacks on the 54 Division strongholds. On 9/11/2001 the troops of 1st Battalion left to rebuild the VIR and the unit renamed the 4VIR. After the Battalion training at Maduruoye ATS Camp battalion deployed in Sinhapurala Welikanda and Punani areas in Batticaloa under 23 Division. The Battalion took part in humanitarian operations and contributing to the operation in the East.
The unit was stationed in the Polmodai area from 24.09.2008 as it continued its operations to capture enemy territory. This area was an open area. Troops advanced through the open air in broad daylight, destroying terrorist bunkers in small groups from several sides, with courage and determination, units moved forward due to the earth bunds and canals surrounding the LTTE stronghold. . After that the battalion was deployed in Puliyankulam area under 621 brigade from 07.12.2008.
The unit was later positioned under 681 base. As the terrorists approached the LTTE defenses in general area Pukudiyiruppu, their attacks intensified. Although the terrorists tried to block the advance of the unit with unidentified mechanical weapons and gas attacks, the troops were strategically divided into small groups and approached the ground wall. The bulwark was destroyed. Troops also killed 91 terrorists and confiscated a large cache of weapons and ammunition.
On Monday 18.09.2009, a group of 08 set out for a small mangrove swamp in the Nandikadal lagoon and positioned themselves as an ambush team about 600 meters ahead of the security cordon. At around 0245 hrs, a group of about 200 LTTE terrorists launched an attack in the area and the troops were able to repel the terrorists successfully. The body of LTTE terrorist leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, who was shot dead during a search operation conducted on the morning of May 19, 2009, was found the following day. This demarcated the end of the last humanitarian operation. And this Battalion has the honor of concluding it by killing terrorist leader.
