Gemunu Watch
| Gemunu Watch | |
|---|---|
| Active | December 7, 1962 - present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Conventional warfare Assault Reconnaissance |
| Size | 26 battalions |
| Regimental Centre | Kuruwita Army Camp, Ratnapura. |
| Motto(s) | “Maniwatta Abhikkama”-Pali (Do not tarry, Go forward) |
| Anniversaries | December 7 (Regimental day) |
| Engagements |
1971 JVP Insurrection, Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Centre Commandant | Brigadier M.A.S.K Muhandiram RSP |
| Colonel of the Regiment |
Maj Gen L.B.R Mark RSP, USP |
| Notable commanders |
Lt Gen Parami Kulatunga RSP, USP, GW Brig. John F. Halangode |
The Gemunu Watch (GW) ("King Dutugemunu's Own") is a line infantry regiment of the Sri Lanka Army, formed with troops from the Ceylon Light Infantry and the Ceylon Sinha Regiment in 1962. It has been deployed in many major operations against the LTTE. It is made up of 14 regular units and 9 volunteer units. Headquartered at Kuruwita Army Camp, Ratnapura. It is named after one of the most famous Lankan Kings, King Dutugemunu.
The history of the Sri Lanka Army dates back to 1881. A Volunteer organization that was formed as the Citizens Rifle Association was re-designated as the Ceylon [Vol] Infantry Regiment by a Gazette notification on 1 April 1881. Lieut. Colonel John Scott Armitage was appointed as the first Commanding Officer of this fledgling Volunteer Unit. Later, in order to encourage the concept of Volunteering, the Volunteer Force was expanded to include Units at District level. Accordingly, two Volunteer Detachments were set up in Galle and Matara in the old Dutch Forts.
By the year 1910, the Army had expanded to include Regiments of the Ceylon Infantry, Ceylon Artillery, Ceylon Mounted Rifles, Ceylon Planters Rifles, Ceylon Service Corps and the Ceylon Medical Corps. Thereafter, the Ceylon Defence Force was established under Army Order No: 08 of 1910, to cater to the administration and discipline of these regiments, and came under the direct purview of the Commandant, Ceylon Defence Force. During the first World War (1914 to 1918), the Ceylon Defence Force was engaged in active service and the troops deployed in Galle and Matara too were mobilized.
The Ceylon Defence Force [CDF] saw action once again during World War II [1939 to 1945]. After the War, the CDF was systematically “Ceylonised” by the appointment of Ceylonese Officers as Commanding Officers of Battalions.
After Ceylon regained Independence in 1948 the CDF was re-designated as The Ceylon Volunteer Force and the first Ceylon [Vol] Light Infantry Battalion was established.
The Detachments in Galle and Matara were re-named as “B” Company of the Ceylon [Volunteer] Light Infantry.
With the adoption of the Army Act passed in Parliament on 10 October 1949, The Ceylon Army was formed through a special Gazette notification.
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Wikipedia