Sri Lanka Army

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Sri Lanka Army
The Third Contingent of Sri Lanka Army peacekeepers in Haiti Sri Lanka Army Insignia and Flag
Active	October 9, 1949 - Present
Country	Sri Lanka
Role	Foreign and Domestic Defense
Size	120,000[1]
Part of	Ministry of Defence
Motto	Defenders of the Nation
Anniversaries	October 9
Battles/wars	World War II 1971 Insurrection Insurrection 1987-89 Sri Lankan Civil War
Commanders
Commander of the Sri Lanka Army	Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka
Notable commanders	Lt. Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa Maj. Gen. Vijaya Wimalaratne

The Sri Lanka Army is the oldest and largest of Sri Lanka's three armed services. Established as the Royal Ceylon Army in 1949, it was renamed when Sri Lanka became a republic in 1972. The Army of approximately 120,000 regular personal and including 15,000 National Guardsmen^[1] is organized into 22 regiments and is responsible for overseeing land-based military and humanitarian operations.

The Sri Lanka Army is organized under a Joint Operations Command, which was established in 1985, and comprises nine divisions, one air-mobile brigade, one commando brigade, one special forces brigade, one independent armored brigade, three mechanized infantry brigades and 34 infantry brigades.^[2]

As a part of the Military of Sri Lanka, the Commander-in-Chief of the Sri Lanka Army is the President of the country.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Ancient and pre-colonial times 1.2 Colonial era 1.2.1 Portuguese and Dutch rule (1505-1796 AD) 1.2.2 British rule (1798-1948 AD) 1.2.2.1 Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers 1.2.2.2 Ceylon Defence Force 1.3 Post-independence 1.4 1980–Present 2 Organization 2.1 Regiments and training centers 2.2 Training 2.3 Women in the Sri Lanka Army 3 Rank structure 3.1 Commissioned Officer ranks 3.2 Non Commissioned Officer and enlisted ranks 4 Personnel 4.1 Notable fallen members 5 Equipment 6 Humanitarian missions 7 See also 8 Further reading 9 References 10 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Ancient and pre-colonial times

The first military engagement in Sri Lanka's history were marked with the advent of Vijaya, a prince of North India who landed with his followers on the beaches of northwestern Sri Lanka around 543 BC. Repeated incursions by South Indians, particularly the Cholas, into Sri Lankan territory occurred throughout the next few centuries and led to the engagement of the rival forces in battle.^[3] In one famous encounter, Sinhalese King Dutugemunu (200 BC) is reported to have raised an army of eleven thousand inhabitants in his battle against, and eventual defeat of King Elara, a Chola invader. King Dutugemunu's organizational skills, bravery and chivalry are famous and his battles apparently gone down in history as outstanding offensive operations.^[4]

Sri Lankan rulers whose military achievements stand out include as King Gajabahu (113 AD) who sailed to India to bring back his captured soldiers and King Dhatusena (433 AD) who is credited with repulsing numerous Indian invasions and for organizing a naval build-up to deter seaborne attacks. He also had the foresight to cover his defenses with artillery. Vijayabahu I (1001 AD) was another warrior king who dislodged Indian invaders and united the country. Parakramabahu the Great (1153 AD), as his title implies, was outstanding in the Polonnaruwa period of Sri Lankan history and his accomplishments as a military leader and a great administrator are noteworthy. His reign included a military expedition to Burma (Myanmar) in retaliation to indignities inflicted on his envoys and Burmese interference in the elephant trade. This marked the first overseas expedition in Sri Lankan military history. It is also reported that Parakramabahu's fame was such that his assistance was sought by South Indian rulers who were involved in internecine struggles. Another strong ruler in the pre-colonial era was Parakramabahu VI, who defeated Indain invaders, united the island and ruled it from capital Sri Jayawardhanapura, Kotte.^[4]

Although the known epigraphical records do not indicate that the Sri Lankan rulers had a full-time standing army at their disposal, there is evidence supported by legend, designation, name, place and tradition that prove there were 'stand by' equestrian, elephant and infantry soldiers to ensure the royal authority at all times. Militias were raised as the necessity arose, and the soldiers returned to their pursuits mainly for farming after their spell of military duty.^[4]

[edit] Colonial era

Parts of Sri Lanka came under the control of 3 colonial European powers, namely the Portuguese in the 16th Century, the Dutch in the 17th Century and the British in the 18th Century. Yet, until the entire island was ceded to the British in 1815, regional kingdoms maintained most of their independent defense forces and were able to successfully repulse repeated thrusts by the European Armies. The British however, unlike their counterparts, were not primarily restricted to maritime power, and that gave them the capability to bring the entire island under their control and integrate locals into the British defense forces.^[4]

[edit] Portuguese and Dutch rule (1505-1796 AD)

It was in the beginning of the sixteenth century that modern Europe first came in contact with Sri Lanka, which was then referred to as Ceylon. In 1505 a Portuguese fleet, while operating in the Indian seas against Arab traders was blown off course and accidentally landed at Galle, on the southern coast.^[5] In 1517 the Portuguese re-appeared, and with the consent of the Sinhalese King established a trading post in Colombo. Having initiated contact with Sri Lanka as traders, the Portuguese soon made themselves political masters of the entire sea-board. Numerous forts were soon established, and European civilization was introduced.^[4]

The Portuguese are credited with the introduction of European-style fortresses to Sri Lanka during this era. Although some locals already possessed military training and fighting experience, there is no evidence that the Portuguese employed locals inhabitants into their forces. The Portuguese were forced to restrict their presence in the island due to small numbers and their efforts being focused towards maritime power.^[4]

In 1602 Dutch explorers first landed in Sri Lanka which was then under Portuguese control. By 1658 they had completely ousted the Portuguese from the island. The Dutch much like the Portuguese did not employ locals in their militaries, and preferred to live in isolation pursuing their interests in trade and commerce and defending their forts with their own forces, which included Swiss and Malay mercenaries. The Dutch Forts in Jaffna, Galle, Matara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee were sturdily built and are a tribute to their military engineering skills at the time. Much like the Portuguese, the Dutch focused on maritime power and although they had the capability to develop and use local forces, they chose to isolate themselves from the local population.^[4]

[edit] British rule (1798-1948 AD)

The British then ousted the Dutch from the coastal areas of the country, and sought to acquire the independent Kandyan Kingdom. In the face of repeated British assaults, the Kandyans were forced into a degree of guerrilla warfare and they faired well against their superior British adversaries.^[4]

Initially the British stationed their troops, which included naval vessels, artillery troops and infantry, to defend of the island nation from other foreign powers. They used the natural harbor of Trincomalee as their headquarters in Sri Lanka. In 1796, the Swiss and Malay mercenaries who were previously in the Dutch service were transferred to the British East India Company. While the Swiss De Meuron's Regiment was eventually disbanded in Canada in 1822, the Malays, who initially formed a Malay Corps, were converted into the 1st Ceylon Regiment in 1802 and placed under a British Commanding Officer. In the same year, the British became the first foreign power to raise a Sinhalese unit, which was named the 2nd Ceylon Regiment, also known as the Sepoy Corps.^[4]

In 1803 a 3rd Ceylon Regiment was created with Mollucans and recruits from Penang. All these regiments fought alongside British troops in the Kandyan wars which began in 1803. Throughout the following years more Sinhalese and Malays were recruited to these regiments, and in 1814 a 4th regiment was raised comprising entirely of African troops. It was later renamed as the Ceylon Rifle Regiment. Eventually, the Kandyan Kingdom was ceded to the British in 1815, and with that they gained control over the whole island. Resistance to British occupation cropped up almost instantly. During the first half-century of occupation, the British faced a number of uprisings, and were forced to maintain a sizable army in order to guarantee their control over the island. After the Matale Rebellion led by Puran Appu in 1848, in which a number of Sinhalese recruits defected to the side of the rebels, the recruitment of Sinhalese to the British forces was temporarily halted.^[4]

[edit] Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers

The second phase in the employment of non-British personnel commenced in 1861 after the enactment of an ordinance designed to authorise the creation of Volunteer Corps in the Colony. It was designated the Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers (CLIV). This move compensated for the disbandment of the Ceylon Rifle Regiment in 1874. The Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers was originally administered as a single unit. However over the years various sections of the volunteers grew large enough to become independent from their parent unit. The different units that emerged from the Volunteer Force were namely the,

• Ceylon Artillery Volunteers
• Ceylon Mounted Infantry (CMI)
• Ceylon Volunteer Medical Corps
• Cadet Battalion Ceylon Light Infantry
• Ceylon Engineers
• Ceylon Supply & Transport Corps
• Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps (CPRC).^[4]

[edit] Ceylon Defence Force

In 1910 the name was formerly changed to the Ceylon Defence Force (CDF). It continued to grow as throughout the early period of 20th century. The CDF saw active service when a contingent of CMI in 1900, and a contingent of CPRC in 1902, took part in the Second Boer War in South Africa. Their valuable services were recognised by presentation, in 1902 of a colour to the CMI, and a presentation in 1904, of a Banner to the CPRC. In 1922, the CDF was honoured by the presentation of the King's and Regimental colours to the Ceylon Light Infantry(CLI).^[4]

During the First World War, many volunteers from the Defence Force found their way to England and joined the British Army, and many of them died. One of them, mentioned by Arthur Conan Doyle was Pte Jacotine of the CLI, who was the last man left alive in his unit at the Battle of Lys, and who continued to fight for 20 minutes before he was killed.^[6]

In 1939, the CDF was mobilised and an enormous expansion took place which required raising of new units such as the Post and Telegraph Signals, the Ceylon Railway Engineer Corps, the Ceylon Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Corps, the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the Ceylon Corps of Military Police, and the Ceylon Signals Corps and the Colombo Town Guard Unit, which had been disbanded earlier, was once again formed to meet military requirements. During the Second World War Britain assumed direct control over the Armed Forces of Ceylon.^[7]

[edit] Post-independence

When World War II ended, the task of returning the enormously swollen wartime CDF to its normal proportions got under way. By 1948 independence was declared and in 1949, the Army Act was passed by Parliament raising the Ceylon Army,^[8] composed of Regular and Volunteer Forces. The initial requirement was to raise an artillery regiment, an engineer squadron, an infantry battalion, a medical unit, and a service corps company. The Army Act was enacted in parliament on the October 10 1949 which is recognized as the day, the Ceylon Army was raised. The Army was to be comprised of a Regular and a Volunteer force and the initial requirement was to raise the following units in the Regular and Volunteer Forces.

There were no formations and all units were directly functioning under Army Headquarters. Temporary field headquarters were formed at the time of a requirement as it was done during the 1958 communal riots. The first field formation was raised in 1963, to prevent illicit immigration from South India. This headquarters was known as Task Force Anti Illicit Immigration (TAFII), which was disbanded in 1981. In May 1972, when Ceylon became the Republic of Sri Lanka, all Army units were renamed accordingly.

[edit] 1980–Present

When the insurgency caused by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) drew to a close, the army was confronted with a new conflict, this time with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The war escalated to the point where India was asked to intervene as a peacekeeping force. This was later seen as a tactical error, as the IPKF united nationalist elements such as the JVP to politically support the LTTE in their call to evict the IPKF. The war with the LTTE was only halted due a ceasefire agreement signed in 2002 and brokered by the Norwegians. However, renewed violence has threatened to return the country to war following escalating attacks since December 2005 and the breakdown of the Geneva peace talks.

Since 1980 the army has undertaken many operations against the LTTE rebels. The major operations conducted by the army eventually led to the capture of Jaffna and other rebel strongholds.

Eelam War I (1976-1987) JVP Uprising (1987-1990) Eelam War II (1990-1995) Eelam War III (1995-2002) Operation Jayasikurui

Operation Rivibala Operation Ranagosa Operation Rivikirana Operation Kinihira Operation Kinihira II

Operation Kinihira III/IV Operation Kinihira V/VI Operation Kinihira VII Operation Kinihira VIII Operation Kinihira IX

[edit] Organization

The staff in the Army is assigned to support the field troops. Army Headquarters is divided into many branches, namely the General Staff (GS) branch responsible for coordination of operations and training and Adjutant General's (AGs) branch responsible for personal administration, welfare, medical services and rehabilitation. The Quarter Master General's (QMGs) branch is responsible for feeding, transport, movement and construction and maintenance. Master General of Ordnance (MGOs) branch is responsible for procurement and maintenance of vehicles and special equipment.^[9]

Each branch is headed by an officer in the rank of Major General who is directly responsible to the Commander of the Army for the smooth functioning of the Branch. The Military Secretary's Branch headed by a senior Brigadier, is responsible for handling all matters pertaining to officers such as promotions, postings and discipline. Under each Branch, there are several Directorates, each headed by a Brigadier.^[9]

The Headquarters of field formations each has its own staff. For instance a divisional headquarters is divided into a GS branch as an AQ branch, each headed by a Colonel and is responsible for operations & training and administration & logistics respectively. Similarly, a Brigade Major and Major AQ is responsible for operations and administration in a brigade.^[9]

Subsequently, various formations were raised from time to time to suit various security requirements in the country. The Army is now organised into divisions and brigades. Each division is responsible for a particular area and it is commanded by a General Officer Commanding in the rank of Major General. Except for the division based in Panagoda, all other divisions are responsible for the security in the Northern and Eastern provinces. The area assigned to a particular division is further divided into areas where the responsibility of those areas are assigned to brigades. Each brigade is commanded by an officer in the rank of Brigadier and has a number of Infantry battalions, support arms (Artillery, Engineers and Signals), and Services (Service Corps, Engineering Services, Ordnance Corps, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers), under its command. In peace areas instead of brigade there are Area and Sub-Area Headquarters. Armour, Artillery, Engineers and Signals Units are grouped under Brigade Headquarters of their own arm; Armoured Brigade, Artillery Brigade and so on.

Like the Indian Army, the Sri Lankan Army has largely retained the British-style regimental system that it inherited upon independence. The individual regiments (such as the Sri Lanka Light Infantry and the Sinha Regiment) operated independently and recruited their own members. Officers tended to remain in a single battalion throughout their careers. The infantry battalion, the basic unit of organization in field operations, included five companies of four platoons each. Incomplete reports suggest that a typical platoon had three squads (sections) of ten personnel each. In addition to the basic infantry forces, a commando regiment was established in 1986. Support for the infantry was provided by two reconnaissance regiments (one regular, one reserve), two field artillery regiments (one regular, one reserve), one antiaircraft regiment, one field engineering regiment, one engineering plant regiment, one signals battalion, a medical corps, and a variety of logistics units.^[10]

In late 1987, the army had a total estimated strength of up to 40,000 troops, about evenly divided between regular army personnel and reservists on active duty. The approximately 20,000 regular army troops represented a significant increase over the 1983 strength of only 12,000. Aggressive recruitment campaigns following the 1983 riots raised this number to 16,000 by early 1985.^[10]

[edit] Regiments and training centers

Regiments^[8]

• Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC) - formed in 1955

The first ever-armoured unit of the Ceylon Army. Currently comprises 6 divisions, and armed with T 55 Main Battle tanks, T 85 Light Tanks, T 86 Armoured Cars, BMP Is. Iis, T 63- II APC and BTR 80/80A. APCs. Headquartered at Rock House Army Camp, Colombo.

• Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA) - formed in 1888

The first Sri Lankan artillery regiment. Currently consists of 7 regular and 2 volunteer units equiped with 85 mm and 25 pounder field guns, 122 mm howitzers, 76 mm mountain guns, 130 mm and 152 mm medium guns and 120mm mortars. Also participated in the defense of colonial Ceylon during the two World Wars. Headquartered at Panagoda Military Base, Panagoda.

• Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) - formed in 1911

Formed as part of the Ceylon Defence Force with the purpose of manning coastal search lights and signal works. Currently consists of 5 regular units and 1 volunteer unit and performs classical combat engineering duties, constructs roads and bridges and maintains lines of communications. Headquartered at Sri Lanka Army Headquarters, Colombo.

• Sri Lanka Signals Corps (SLSC) - formed in 1943

Formed after the signals element of the Engineers was separated from the main regiment, it was tasked with providing communications between Army HQ and its branches. Currently comprises 5 regular units and 1 volunteer unit and provides much needed communications to combat troops. Headquartered at Panagoda Military Base, Panagoda.

• Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) -

Following the signing of a ceasefire agreement in 2002, the Sri Lankan military was invited by the United Nations to be part of a peacekeeping force in Haiti. The Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment was selected for the mission, and it left for Haiti after initial training in 2004 and returned in 2005. Headquartered at Panagoda Military Base, Panagoda.

• Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) - formed in 1956

The only rifle regiment of the Sri Lanka Army, it was founded on the same lines at the Rifle Regiments in Great Britain. Currently consisting of 10 regular units and 5 volunteer units, it does not carry regimental colors in action in order to be inconspicuous, and the buttons, badges of rank and lanyard of the regiment dress are all in black. Headquartered at Ambepussa Army Camp.

• Gemunu Watch (GW) - formed in 1962

Formed following the withdrawal of all British troops from Sri Lanka, it draws its inspiration as well as its insignia from the era of celebrated King Dutugemunu. Currently it consists of 9 regular units and 4 volunteer units, and all these battalions are actively participating in the on going conflict. Headquartered at Kuruwita Army Camp.

• Gajaba Regiment (GR) - formed in 1983

The 1st battalion of the Regiment was formed by Lt.Col. Vijaya Wimalaratne on 14 October 1983 when 1st Battalion the Rajarata Rifles and 1st Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment were amalgamated. Currently the Gajaba Regiment has 10 Regular units and 5 Volunteer units. Headquartered at Saliyapura Military Base, Anuradapura.

• Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) - formed in 1988

The 1 st battalion Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was resurrected on the 15 November 1988 at Malay Street and Lt.Col. J.Nammuni (SLSR) was appointed first Commanding Officer. The Regimental Centre was ceremonially opened at Sinhawilluwatta in Puttalam on 22 nd March 1990 and was later moved to Boyagane Camp in Kurunegala. Currently the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment has 8 Regular units and 4 Volunteer units.

• Commando Regiment (CR) - formed in 1977

Commando squadron was formed in Gemunu Watch ‘B’ Camp at Diyatalawa and Maj S.D Peiris (GW) was appointed Officer Commanding. Shortly after that, the Squadron received specialized training in anti-terrorist and anti – hijack techniques conducted by the members of the elite Special Air Services Regiment of Britain. The Commandos were later trained in parachuting at Agra, India and they performed their maiden display during Army Day celebrations on 10th October 1980. 04 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. The Commando Regiment has only 2 Regular units.

• Special Forces Regiment Headquartered at Seeduwa.
• Military Intelligence Corps Headquartered at Colombo
• Engineer Services Regiment Headquartered at Panagoda.
• Sri Lanka Army Service Corps Headquartered at Panagoda.
• Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps Headquartered at Colombo.
• Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps Headquartered at Panagoda.
• Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Headquartered at
• Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police Headquartered at Colombo.
• Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps Headquartered at Panagoda.
• Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps Headquartered at Colombo.
• Sri Lanka Riffle Corps
• Sri Lanka Army Pioneer Corps
• Sri Lanka National Guard Headquartered at Kurunegala

Training Centers^[11]

1. Sri Lanka Army Command and Staff College (ACSC)
2. Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA)
3. Army Training School (ATS)
4. Infantry Training Centre I(TC)
5. Combat Training School (CTS)
6. Army Physical Education Centre (APEC)
7. Volunteer Force Training School (VFTS)
8. Marksman Sniper Training School (MSTS)
9. Non Commission Officer Training School (NCOTS)
10. Language Training School (LTS)
11. Institute of Peacekeeping Support Operations Training Sri Lanka (IPSOT-SL)

[edit] Training

Training for the Army personnel is mostly provided at the Army Training Centre situated in Diyatalawa, in the Badulla District, Uva Province. There are three separate facilities included in the center. These are the Sri Lankan Military Academy, the Non-Commissioned Officers' School, and the Recruit Training School. The Military Academy which was established in 1981, took in the former Officers' Cadet School and the Officers' Study Center. The Military Academy provided training in tactics and administration in the late 1980s, and the graduates from the academy were commissioned as officers in the regular forces. The course of the officer cadets ran for ninety weeks and it helped preparing the cadets to take up the positions of platoon commanders. The course consisted of military and academic subjects and also trained the cadets physically.The course helped to promote leadership qualities and the understanding each one’s role as an officer as a servant of the state. Due to the huge lack of officers within the lower levels, the training process was sped up by developing a short commission course. The cadets were given a training of fifty-six weeks and devoted themselves to continue their careers in the military with the five years of service. There were approximately three hundred recruits at a time in the Army Training Centre and in 1982, supposedly trained 18 officers. The required additional training is given by individual field units.^[9][10]

Training for the cadets are provided at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy formed in 1981 situated in Ratmalana, fourteen kilometers south of Colombo. (The naming of the academy has been done after the third prime minister of Sri Lanka, Sir John Kotelawala.) Each year, approximately fifty cadets are admitted to the academy (aged 18-22) to participate in a three-year program of academic and basic training based work. The graduates follow up their studies at a regular university until they take up a full-time career in the military services.^[9][10]

As the armed forces have a limited capacity of indigenous training facilities, they have depended greatly on military training provided by foreign countries. The British played a major role in the early years following independence and have continued to be an important source of military expertise to the Sri Lankan military. Other sources include Pakistan, Australia, Malaysia, and the United States. Additionally, in an agreement reached in 1984, Israeli security personnel (reportedly from Shin Bet, the Israeli counterespionage and internal security organization) went to Sri Lanka to train army officers in counterinsurgency techniques.^[10]

[edit] Women in the Sri Lanka Army

The Sri Lankan Army Women's Corps(SLAWC) was formed in September 01, 1979 as an unarmed, noncombatant support unit. Set up with the assistance of the Women's Royal Army Corps, it was identical in structure to its parent organization, and its first generation of officer cadets was trained in Britain. Candidates were required to be between eighteen and twenty years old and to have passed the lowest level of the General Common Entrance examinations. While the Officer candidates must have passed the Advanced Level. Enlistment entailed a five-year service commitment (the same as for men), and recruits were not allowed to marry during this period. In the sixteen-week training course at the Army Training Center at Diyatalawa Sri Lanka Military Academy, cadets were put through a program of drill and physical training similar to the men's program, with the exception of weapons and battlecraft training. Women recruits were paid according to the same scale as the men, but were limited to service in nursing, communications, and clerical work. In late 1987, the first class of women graduates from the Viyanini Army Training Center were certified to serve as army instructors.But, from late 1987 - after hostilities began with the first batch of women graduates from the British Army's Women's Corp Center certified to serve as Army Instructors.^[12]

Until now, women officers have proved their ability and serve in varied specialized fields in the Service as control tower operators, electronic warfare technicians, radio material teletypists, automotive mechanics, aviation supply personnel, cryptographers, doctors, combat medic, lawyers, engineers and even aerial photographers.^[13]

To meet the operational requirements in the field areas, the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the Women’s Corps was raised. A few officers from the regular counter part were attached to this unit to organize the command structure. Sri Lanka can be proud of these women as they are employed in active combat duties in the northern and eastern parts of the Island.

Many officers commencing with Lieutenant Colonel A.W. Thambiraja were appointed to command this unit from time to time. The first women’s corps officer to command the unit was Lieutenant Colonel Kumudini Weerasekara in 1992. At present there is one regular regiment and four volunteer regiments in the Women’s Corps.^[14]

[edit] Rank structure

Main article: Military ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka Army

These are the Sri Lanka Army ranks and their equivalent NATO designations.

[edit] Commissioned Officer ranks

NATO Code	OF-9(1)	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1
Insignia
Title	General	Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain	Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant
Abbreviation	Gen	Lt Gen	Maj Gen	Brig	Col	Lt Col	Maj	Capt	Lt	2Lt
1 Awarded only when selected as Chief of Defence Staff.

[edit] Non Commissioned Officer and enlisted ranks

NATO Code	OR-8		OR-7	OR-6	OR-5	OR-4	OR-3	OR-2	OR-1
Insignia								No Insignia
Title	Warrant Officer 1st Class	Warrant Officer 2nd Class	Staff Sergeant	Sergeant		Corporal Bombardier	Lance Corporal Lance Bombardier	Private
Abbreviation	WO1	WO2	S/Sgt	Sgt		Cpl	L/Cpl	Pte

[edit] Personnel

In September 2004, the Sri Lankan government deployed approximately 750 troops to Haiti in its first major overseas operation.^[7] It was part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission within the Caribbean nation. Prior to the deployment, all of the army's operations took place in Sri Lanka due to the internal situation.

The Sri Lanka Army presently stands at 118,000 strong including 2,960 women and plus an additional 10,000 in reserve. It is one of the fastest growing armed forces in the world.^[15]

In light of recent attacks by the LTTE, the United States has expressed its intent to maintain military training assistance and possibly increase it should the violence continue.^[16]

[edit] Notable fallen members

• Corporal Gamini Kularatne †

• Captain Saliya Upul Aladeniya

• Lieutenant General Denzil Kobbekaduwa †

• Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne †

• Lieutenant General Parami Kulatunga

• Warrant Officer 2nd Class Pasan Gunasekera †

[edit] Equipment

After the 1971 uprising, the army expanded its range of weapons from the original stock of World War II-era British Lee Enfield rifles and 4.2-inch heavy mortars. New sources of weaponry in the mid-to-late 1970s included the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and China, countries with which the leftist Bandaranaike government had close ties to. China has continued to be an important source of arms well into the 1980s.^[10]

To meet the threat posed by predominantly the LTTE, Army had purchased modern military hardware including; 5 Inch calibre Heavy machine guns, Rocket Propelled Grenade Launchers, Night Vision Devices, 106mm Recoilless rifles, 60mm and 81mm Mortars, 40mm Grenade Launchers and some Sniper Rifles. Refurnished armoured personnel carriers were added to the 'A' vehicle fleet of the 1st Recce Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps. These APCs enabled the Armoured Corps to have their own assault troopers to provide close contact protection to their Alvis Saladin and Ferret Scout Cars which were vulnerable to anti-tank weapons. The capability of the Sri Lanka Artillery was enhanced with the introduction of 25 Pounder Guns.^[10][17]

Though the weapons were obsolete at the time of purchase, the Government security forces found them to be successful in combat. Land mines yet proved to be the most lethal threat to the security forces; As many mines have been deployed against government forces by the LTTE in the Eastern Provinces. These mines were deployed with normalcy against government trucks and buses, with a high rate of casualty. These landmines weighed aproxiamtely 50 - 100kgs, against which no armoured vehicle that the SLA possessed was able to withstand the blast effect. Therefore the South African made Buffel was introduced to service to reduce damage due to land mines. The Army's own Unicorn Class was also developed to a level so that they too matched the capabilities of the Buffels from South Africa. The UNICORN was assembled by the Sri Lanka Electrical & Mechanical Engineers.^[10][17]

In recent years, Sri Lanka has become increasingly reliant on China for weapons. This is due to most European nations and the United States Governments passing regulations about the selling of weaponry to nations who are suffering from internal conflict.^[18] China however, has no such regulations upon their arms producers, and some see the sales as an attempt to gain political influence with strategically-important Sri Lanka.^[19]

Sri Lanka still receives a variety of weapons from Britain, Pakistan, Israel and other former suppliers.^[20]

Infantry weapons Type 56 Assault rifles[21] Type 81 Assault rifles[22] Heckler & Koch G3 Assault rifles[23] H&K MP5 Submachine Guns[21] Uzi Submachine Guns[21] M16 Assault Rifles[24] Sterling submachine guns[21] Type 69 RPG Rocket launchers (Chinese version of RPG-7)[10] PK machine guns (Chinese version of Russian PKM)[25] Type 56 LMG (Chinese version of Russian RPD)[10] Dragunov Sniper Rifles[26] Heckler & Koch PSG1 Sniper Rifles FN FAL Assault rifles[24] FN MAG General purpose machine gun[21] FN Minimi General purpose machine gun[21] SAR-80 Assault rifles[21] HK21 Belt-fed light machine gun[27] HK 69 Breech-loading grenade launcher[21] M203 Grenade launcher[21]

Armoured vehicles T-55 and T-55AM2 Main battle tanks[28] Type 69 Main battle tanks[29] Daimler Ferret armoured cars[30] Alvis Saladin[31] Alvis Saracen Armoured cars[32] BMP-1 Infantry fighting vehicle[33] BMP-2 Infantry fighting vehicle[34] BMP-3 Infantry fighting vehicle[35] BTR-80 Armoured personnel carrier[36] WZ551 Armoured personnel carrier [37] TYPE 86 (WZ501) Infantry fighting vehicles TYPE 89 (YW534) Armoured personnel carriers Buffel Mine-protected APC[38] Unibuffel Improved version of the Buffel, built by the Sri Lanka Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Regiment using Indian TATA chassis and engine.[39] BTR-152 Soviet armored personnel carrier[40] VT-55 Armoured recovery vehicle[41] Shorland S55[42] HUSSAR Wheeled armoured personnel carrier[43] MT-55A - Armoured vehicle-launched bridge[44] Hotspur - Armoured version of the Land Rover Defender[9]

Multiple rocket launchers RM-70 Multiple rocket launcher[41] Anti-tank missiles Baktar-Shikan Anti-tank guided missiles[28]

[edit] Humanitarian missions

The Sri Lanka Army has taken part in a number of humanitarian missions over the course of its history. Most recently, after the a ceasefire agreement was signed between the government and the LTTE in 2002, Sri Lankan forces were invited by the United Nations to be part of the UN peacekeeping force in Haiti.^[45] The Sri Lanka Light Infantry was selected to be part of the peacekeeping operations, and training programs on counter revolutionary warfare were conducted for the troops in Kukuleganga. Follwoinf the successful completion of the training, a battalion under the command of Col. K.A.D.A. Karunasekara left for Haiti on October 22, 2004. In the process of the peacekeeping operations, 2 soldiers were killed in a raid in Petit-Goave.^[46] After over 6 months of service, the first contingent of the peacekeeping force returned to Sri Lanka on May 17, 2005.^[45]

[edit] See also

• Awards and decorations of the military of Sri Lanka

[edit] Further reading

• Army, Sri Lanka. (1st Edition - October 1999). "50 YEARS ON" - 1949-1999, Sri Lanka Army. ISBN 995-8089-02-8

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Government of Sri Lanka
• Ministry of Defence Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka Army
• General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy
• Tribute to Sri Lankan Armed Forces

Military of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Army | Sri Lanka Navy | Sri Lanka Air Force