Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
| Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 December 1980 – October 1983 15 November 1988 – Present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Army |
| Type | Line Infantry |
| Role | Infantry |
| Size | 25 battalions |
| Regimental Centre | Boyagane Camp, Kurunegala. |
| Nickname(s) | Archers |
| Motto(s) | "What – cannot they bear, those who are adept and well versed in their arts and crafts and professions" |
| Engagements |
Sri Lankan Civil War, United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti United Nations Stabilization Mission in Lebanon |
| Commanders | |
| Centre Commandant | Brigadier WS Ariyasinghe RSP |
| Colonel of the Regiment |
Major General A Kariyakarawana USP ndu |
The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Sri Lankan Army. Formed on 22 March 1990, 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.
Originally formed in 1982 and disbanded in 1983, 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. and on 10 December 2011, one company to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.
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.
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.
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.
...
Wikipedia