Raising of the Battalion
According to the ARO25/2009/And2009/03/14 Dated racing order, 20th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was commenced at 13th of march 2009 as a youngest battalion in Vijayabahu Regiment. In that time Wanni humanitarian operation going on very decisive stage. 20th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was started at Kokeliya Army Camp in Vauniya including with 16 Officers and 420 soldiers by 2 VIR, 3 VIR, 10 VIR, 12 VIR, 15 VIR, 16 VIR and 17 VIR . After that 80 soldiers of Civil security Department was included to volunteer force, combined with 20 VIR being a strength.
The beginning of a proud battalion
O/3600 Lt Col LWADS Wickramasinghe the senior officer appointed as a first Commanding Officer in battalion and O/4648 Maj LA Wanasinghe a senior Officer appointed as a second in Command in battalion.
Key Operations
Wanni Humanitarian War 652 Bde in TF5
Bn deployment locations
21 Mar 2009 = Raised at Army Trg School – Kokeliya Vavunia
21 Mar 2009 = Deployed at Koddakaddeyarkulam under Comd 652 Inf Bde in TF 5 Thunukkai
18 Oct 2009 = Deployed at Arogayapuram under 652 Inf Bde
08 Jan 2010 = Deployed at Anavilandankulam under 652 Inf Bde - 65 Inf Div
04 Dec 2020 = Deployed at the same loc under 662 Inf Bde - 66 Inf Div
History in Brief
At that time the Wanni Humanitarian Operation was at a critical juncture and the entire Army was unable to set up the unit on that day due to overcrowding and the Vavuniya Army rallied for the noble task of establishing this unit first 2 3 10 12 and 16 Officers and other ranks from the Vijayabahu Infantry regiment volunteer unit were deployed to the Security force headquarters Kilinochchi 5th Task Force and (Koddaikaddiyarkulam) area on 2009.03.21 to make the first deployment of the unit with all those troops on the requirements of the Army on that day. Arrived on 16.03.2009 at 0639 hrs on 23.03.2009 with a contingent of 16 x 500 troops with Other ranks enlisted from the 15th and 17th VIR Bn Movements and the Civil Defense Force who had arrived on those occasions for the upliftment of the unit on 21.03.2009 Units Commanding Officer (Lieutenant Colonel LWADS Wickramasinghe hoisted the National Flag at the Koddaikaddiyarkulam School on the auspicious occasion and marked the commencement of the unit's duties.
Battalion Raising Order
Former COs of the 20(V)VIR
Lt Col LWADS Wickramasinghe
(From 21.03. 2009 To 02.05.2014)
Maj WASS Bandara
(From 02.05.2014 To 07.02.2019)
Maj YMDJG Munagamage
(From 07.02.2019 To 07.02.2020)
Maj SJAM Subasinghe RSP
(From 08.02.2020 To 07.02.2022)
Best Battalion 5S Concept Of 2017
EXTENDED A GREAT EFFORT RESULTING IN A HIGH LEVEL OF PRODUCTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE – 5 S CONCEPT EMERGED THE WINNER CATEGORY B - 5 S CONCEPT .
Bn search and clear ops recoveries (2009 - 2010)
SPORTS ACHIEVEMENTS1>
Champions of the soft ball Cricket tournament (65 Div) - 2018
Champions of the Inter battalion Leather Cricket tournament VIR - 2018
Champions of the Soft ball Cricket tournament SFHQ(KLN) - 2019
Champions of the Inter battalion Leather Cricket tournament VIR - 2021
Present Appointments in The Battalion HQ
Commanding Officer
O/65260 Maj GDK Nishshanka RWP RSP
(From 08 Feb 2022 To up to now )
2nd In Command
O/6150 Maj SMUA Nikawewa
Adjutant
O/10347 Capt GGHE Wijesekara
IO
O/10868 Lt WKDJ Anuradha
RSM
S/20H00111 WO 1 DMN Dissanayake