Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment
| Commando Regiment | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1980 - Present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Army |
| Type | Special Operations |
| Role |
Unconventional Warfare Counter-terrorism Special Reconnaissance Hostage Rescue VVVIP protection Airborne & Heliborn operation |
| Size | 4 Regiments, 3000 Personnel |
| Part of | Commando Brigade |
| Regimental Centre | Ganemulla |
| Motto(s) | Nothing Impossible |
| Colors | Maroon |
| Engagements |
Insurrection 1987-89 Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel of the Regiment | Brig.R A Nugera WWV,RWP,RSP,ndu |
| Centre Commandant | Col RPDU Rajapaksha RWP RSP |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
"COMMANDO" shoulder tab Maroon beret with regimental cap badge |
"COMMANDO" shoulder tab
The Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment (CR) (කොමාන්ඩෝ රෙජිමේන්තුව Komando Rejimentuwa) (இலங்கை இராணுவத்தின் கமாண்டோ படைப்பிரிவு) is one of the two Special Operations units of the Sri Lanka Army along with the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment. The organizational and operational Structure of the Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment is much similar to the British Special Air Service (SAS) unit. Within one of the four Army Commando Regiments there is a 140-man counter-terrorist unit that provides the primary Counter-terrorism response for Sri Lanka. This unit was created in 1980 and is based in Ganemulla, a suburb of Colombo.
In 1977 Lt. General J.E.D Perera, founder of Commandos, issued a call to combating terrorism in Sri Lanka, a decision was made by the Army HQ to raise a special counter-terrorist unit. Maj. Sunil Peris from 1GW, Capt. Sarath Handapangoda from 1st SR and three other ranks were selected as a Core Group and training commenced in the Ella Camp, Army Training Centre, Diyatalawa.
On 9 February 1978 the first ever commando training course commenced, Lt U. Edirisinghe and Lt. P. Chandrawansa, and 24 Other Ranks were drawn from the Armoured Corps, Artillery, Engineers, Sri Lanka Light Infantry, Sinha Regiment and the Gemunu Watch on a volunteer basis. Lt Percy Fernando was drawn from Officer Cadet School to assist in training. Lt. Srinath Rajapaksa, Lt. Vijitha Walikala, and four Officers volunteered for the second training course conducted at Diyatalawa. All trainees of both courses, except for aforementioned Officers, returned to their parent units after training.
A Commando squadron was formed in Gemunu Watch ‘B’ Camp at Diyatalawa and Maj S.D. Peiris GW was appointed officer commanding, and Capt. Sarath Handapangoda was appointed as 2nd In Command. Shortly after that, the Squadron received specialized training in anti-terrorist and anti – hijack techniques conducted by the members of the elite Special Air Service Regiment of Britain. The Commandos were later trained in parachuting at Agra, India and they performed their maiden display during Army Day celebrations on 10 October 1980. 4 December 1980, the Squadron moved to its new premises in Ganemulla. In 1981 the Commandos were employed in counter terrorist operations in Jaffna for the first time. It also performs special duties in the Presidential Security Division. To meet the operational requirements the Commando Regiment was expanded and a Commando Brigade was formed on the 18th of March 1997.4 Commando regiment was formed before the 3 Commando Regiment on 15 March 2003 which is responsible for VIP protection,hostage rescue and anti terrorist tasks and War dog operations. Four Groups which were conducting long range patrols since 1995 was converted into the third regiment was formed August 1, 2007 with Maj Uditha Bandara as the Commanding officer.
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Wikipedia