Gajaba Regiment

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Gajaba Regiment
Active October 14, 1983 - Present
Country Sri Lanka
Branch Sri Lanka Army
Type Rifles
Role Infantry/Light Role
Size 22 battalions
Regimental Centre Saliyapura Camp, Anuradhapura.
Nickname(s) Keterians (Battle Axes)
Motto ‘Samagiya Shakthiyai' (Unity is Strength)
Colors Light green
Anniversaries 14 October (Regimental day)
Engagements Sri Lankan Civil War,
United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti
Decorations 2 Parama Weera Vibhushanayas
Commanders
Centre Commandant Brigadier WMJRK Senarathna
Colonel of
the Regiment
Maj Gen Lalith Daulagala, RSP, USP, ndu
Notable
commanders
Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne RWP, RSP, VSP, USP, GR 
Insignia
Identification
symbol
"GAJABA" shoulder tab

The Gajaba Regiment (GR) was formed when 1st Battalion the Rajarata Rifles and 1st Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment were amalgamated in 1983 to counter the threat from the LTTE. It is made up of six regular battalions and five volunteer battalions. Headquartered at Saliyapura Camp, Anuradhapura. It is named after a Sri Lankan famous warrior King Gajabahu the First.

History

The 1st battalion of the Regiment was formed on 14 October 1983 with the amalgamation of the Rajarata Rifles and Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, under the command of Lt. Col. (later Major General) Vijaya Wimalaratne at Saliyapura Camp. The Cap badge of the Gajaba Regiment is designed with a shield, two Keteri (battle axes) and a Kandian powder flask. The regiment rapidly expanded due to the Sri Lankan Civil War, during which 3,500 officers and men of the regiment were killed.[1]

The regiment was awarded President's Colours by H.E. President Mahinda Rajapakse on 11 January 2007. In 2008 a detachment from the regiment was sent to take part in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.[2]

Units

Regular Army

  • 1st Gajaba Battalion
  • 3rd Gajaba Battalion
  • 6th Gajaba Battalion
  • 8th Gajaba Battalion
  • 9th Gajaba Battalion
  • 10th Gajaba Battalion
  • 12th Gajaba Battalion
  • 14th Gajaba Battalion
  • 16th Gajaba Battalion
  • 20th Gajaba Battalion
  • 21st Gajaba Battalion
  • 22nd Gajaba Battalion
  • 23rd Gajaba Battalion

24th Gajaba Battalion 26th Gajaba Battalion 27th Gajaba Battalion [3]

Volunteers

  • 2nd(v) Gajaba Battalion
  • 5th(v) Gajaba Battalion
  • 7th(v) Gajaba Battalion
  • 11th(v) Gajaba Battalion
  • 15th(v) Gajaba Battalion
  • 17th(v) Gajaba Battalion
  • 18th(v) Gajaba Battalion
  • 19th(v) Gajaba Battalion

Recipient of the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya

Notable members

Order of precedence

Preceded by Order of Precedence Succeeded by
Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment

See also

References

  1. Gajaba Regiment Silver Jubile
  2. Tenth UN Peace Keeping Contingent to Leave Soo
  3. 22 Gajaba Regiment Commences Functioning

External links and sources