The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Sri Lankan Army. Formed on 22 March 1988, it is named after Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa (King Vijayabahu, 1055 to 1110 AD). The regiment consists of 17 regular battalions, 9 volunteer battalions and a headquarters battalion. Since 1993, its Regimental Centre is located at the Boyagane Camp, Kurunegala.
History
Originally formed in 1982 and disbanded in 1983 follow its amalgamated with the 1st Battalion, Rajarata Rifles form the Gajaba Regiment, the regiment was reformed on 22 March 1990. The first colonel of the regiment was W. J. V. K Wimalarathna. The regimental centre commandant was H. S. A. Perera. On 23 April 1993, the regiment was relocated to Boyagane Camp in Kurunegala District. The Regiment consists of 25 battalions, the first of which was established in 1988. The Regiment numbers 655 officers and 16,501 other ranks. A new Regimental office was opened in January 2010. It features a herbal garden in remembrance of the soldiers from the regiment who have been killed in service.
The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment has deployed two contingents in December 2006 and June 2009 to the United Nations stabilisation mission in Haiti.[1] and on 10 December 2011, one company to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.[citation needed]
Training school
The Vijayabahu Infantry Training School was formed at Sinhavilluwaththa Puttlam on 15 January 1991. The first chief instructor was Upali Fernando. The school has conducted over sixty courses with nearly three hundred recruits per course. Over 13,127 recruits have been trained for distribution to various regiments. Special arms courses for officers and men have also been conducted at the school.[citation needed]
Welfare activities
The regiment provides death insurance for officers and other ranks. The Regiment Centre also runs the Vijayabahu Motocross, a popular annual motor racing event. The regiment has its own motor racing track, built in 1998. The aim of the motocross is to generate funds to provide welfare facilities for the families of the officers and other ranks killed or missing in action. It also aims to improve infrastructure facilities and rehabilitation work for disabled soldiers.
Sports activities
The regiment sports a volleyball team who won the champions of the Army "A" Division volleyball tournament of 2011. Disabled soldiers of the regiment participated in the Asian Para Games – 2011, as well as Commonwealth Para Games 2011.
Seva Vanitha activities
The Vijayabahu Seva Vanitha Branch (wives' auxiliary) supports the families of fallen soldiers. They have taken steps to facilitate the constructions work of Abimansala – Brave Hearts Wellness Resort for totally disabled war heroes by donating Rs 1.5 million on 2 September 2010, Rs 100,000.00 on 1 October 2010, Rs 5.45 million on 4 October 2010 and Rs 6 million on 11 July 2011. The total fundraising was Rs 13.05 million. The Branch has held commemoration ceremonies for the families of the killed and missing officers on 3 July 2010 and 14 May 2011 and has built 19 houses for the families of fallen and missing soldiers. The women visit Ranaviru Sevana, Military and Mental Hospital, Mullariyawa.
Colonel Gamini Fernando † 1 June 1995 – Commanding Officer of 1st Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
Colonel Nizam Dane † 24 June 1997– Commanding Officer of the 10th Battalion of the Vijayaba Infantry Regiment
Lt. Colonel T. R. A. Aliba † 18 July 1996- Commanding Officer of the 6th Battalion of the Vijayaba Infantry Regiment in the Battle of Mullaitivu (1996)
2nd (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
12 November 1988
Tissawewa
3
3rd (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
4 December 1989
Sandunpura, Dehiattakandiya
First commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel S.D. Lankadeva
4
4th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
1 August 1989
Kandy
5
5th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
20 March 1990
Sinahavilluwatta, Puttlam
6
6th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
17 August 1990
Army Training School at Maduruoya
First commanding officer was Major G.M. Rockwood.
7
7th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
3 November 1992
Sinhavilluwatta, Puttlam
8
8th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
23 August 1993
Sinhavilluwatta, Puttlam
5th (Reinforcement) Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment raised on 23 August 1993, re-designated as 8th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on 23 August 1993
9
9th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
6 September 1996
Elephantpass
10
10th (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
1 June 1994
Monkeybridge Camp at Trincomalee
11
11th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
10 January 1997
Achchuveli, Jaffana
This Battalion was amalgamated with 4th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on 10 October 1990 and was de-amalgamated on 15 November 2007
12
12th (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
10 January 1997
Nunavil
13
14th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
8 January 2008
Nelumwewa
14
15th (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
1 December 2007
Sadunpara, Dehiaththakandiya
22 January 2019
15
16th (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
7 July 2008
Punani
04 February 2019
16
17th (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
2 January 2009
Boyagane
17
18th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
21 October 2008
Mallavi
18
19th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
1 January 2009
Kilinochchi
19
20th (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
13 March 2009
Kokeliya Army Camp in Vauniya
20
21st (V) Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
12 August 2009
Jaffna
30 March 2012
21
22nd Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
23 September 2009
Kallar
22
23rd Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
24 November 2009
Vellikkulam, Nedunkerny
23
24th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
4 March 2010
Panagoda
24
25th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
1 December 2008
Disbanded
1st Reinforcement Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment raised on 1 December 2008 and later renamed as the 25th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment.
25
26th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
Disbanded
26
27th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
20 May 2009
Gajasinghepura
Disbanded
3rd Reinforcement Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment which was later renamed as the 27th Battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
27
Headquarters battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment