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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.<ref name='sla-women'>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.lk/regiment_regular_19.php |title=Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps, Sri Lanka Army |accessdate=2007-02-04 |format= |work=Sri Lanka Army }}</ref>
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.<ref name='sla-women'>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.lk/regiment_regular_19.php |title=Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps, Sri Lanka Army |accessdate=2007-02-04 |format= |work=Sri Lanka Army }}</ref>


== Rank structure ==
{{main|Military ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka Army}}


Following are the Sri Lanka Army ranks and their equivalent [[NATO]] designations.



==== Other enlisted ranks====

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!'''NATO Code''' || colspan=2|OR-8 || OR-7 || OR-6 || OR-5 || OR-4 || OR-3 || OR-2 || OR-1
|- align=center
| |{{SRI||Sri Lanka}}
| | [[Image:Warrant officer class i SLA.gif|116px]]
| | [[Image:Warrant officer class ii SLA.gif|116px]]
| | [[Image:Staff sergeant SLA.gif|106px]]
| colspan=2|[[Image:Sergeant SLA.gif|104px]]
| | [[Image:Corporal SLA.gif|106px]]
| | [[Image:Lance corporal SLA.gif|106px]]
| colspan=2|''No Insignia''
|- align=center
| |Title
| |[[Regimental Sergeant Major|Warrant Officer
1st Class]]
| |[[Sergeant Major|Warrant Officer
2nd Class]]
| |[[Staff Sergeant]]
| colspan=2|[[Sergeant]]
| |[[Corporal]]
[[Bombardier (rank)|Bombardier]]
| |[[Lance Corporal]]
[[Lance Bombardier]]
| colspan=2|[[Private (rank)|Private]]
|- align=center
| Abbreviation || WO1 || WO2 || S/Sgt || colspan=2|Sgt || Cpl || L/Cpl || colspan=2|Pte
|- align=center
|}


== Personnel ==
== Personnel ==

Revision as of 06:08, 5 October 2007

Sri Lanka Army
File:SLASF at the Inde.jpg
Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment at the independence day parade.

File:The Sri Lanka Army Flag And Crest.JPG
Sri Lanka Army Insignia and Flag
ActiveOctober 9, 1949 - Present
CountrySri Lanka
BranchMilitary of Sri Lanka
RoleForeign and Domestic Defense
Size120,000[1]
Part ofMinistry of Defence
Motto(s)Defenders of the Nation
AnniversariesOctober 9
EngagementsWorld War II
1971 Insurrection
Insurrection 1987-89
Sri Lankan Civil War
Commanders
Commander of the Sri Lanka ArmyLt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka
Notable
commanders		General D.S. Attygalle

Lt. Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa

Maj. Gen. Vijaya Wimalaratne
Sri Lanka Army
Components
History
Equipment
Leadership and ranks

The Sri Lanka Army is the oldest and largest of the three armed services of Sri Lanka. 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 personnel 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 11 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.[3]

History

Ancient and pre-colonial times

The first military engagements in Sri Lankan history were marked with the advent of King Vijaya, a North Indian prince who landed along with his followers on the beaches of northwestern Sri Lanka around 543 BCE. 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.[4] In one famous encounter, Sinhalese King Dutugemunu (200 BC) 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 have gone down in history as outstanding offensive operations.[5]

Other Sri Lankan rulers whose military achievements stand out include 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), was an outstanding monarch of 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 Indian invaders, united the island and ruled it from capital Sri Jayawardhanapura, Kotte.[5]

File:Vijay landing.jpg
Landing of King Vijaya depicted in an Ajanta fresco

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 divisions to ensure 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.[5]

Colonial era

Parts of Sri Lanka came under the control of three 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. However the British, unlike their counterparts, were not primarily restricted to maritime power, and thus had the capability to bring the entire island under their control and to integrate locals into the British defense forces.[5]

Portuguese and Dutch rule (1505-1796 AD)

In the beginning of the sixteenth century 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 landed at Galle, on the southern coast of the island.[6] 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 western sea-board. Numerous forts were soon established, and European civilization was introduced.[5]

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 were focused towards maritime power.[5]

In 1602 Dutch explorers first landed in Sri Lanka, which was then under Portuguese control. By 1658 they completely ousted the Portuguese from the coastal regions of the island. Much like the Portuguese, they did not employ locals in their military, 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 considered a tribute to their military engineering skills. Also, 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.[5]

British rule (1798-1948 AD)

The British Empire then ousted the Dutch from the coastal areas of the country, and sought to conquer the independent Kandyan Kingdom. In the face of repeated British assaults, the Kandyans were forced into a degree of guerrilla warfare and faired well against their superior British adversaries.[5]

Initially the British stationed their troops, which included naval vessels, artillery troops and infantry, to defend of the island nation from other foreign powers, using the natural harbor of Trincomalee as their headquarters in Sri Lanka. In 1796, the Swiss and Malay mercenaries who were previously in the service of the Dutch 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.[5]

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 lead 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.[5]

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 authorize the creation of Volunteer Corps in the island. 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 the,

Ceylon Defence Force
Main article: Ceylon Defence Force
File:PM visits the 1st Bn CLI.JPG
First Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka Hon. D.S.Senanayaka visiting the 1st battalion of the CLI at the Echelon Square and watching volunteers being trained to handle Light Machine Guns.

In 1910 the name of the military was formerly changed to the Ceylon Defence Force (CDF). It continued to grow throughout the early period of 20th century. The CDF saw active service when a contingent of the Ceylon Mounted Infantry (CMI) in 1900, and a contingent of Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps(CPRC) in 1902, took part in the Second Boer War in South Africa. Their services were recognized by presentation, in 1902, of a color to the CMI, and a presentation in 1904, of a Banner to the CPRC. In 1922, the CDF was honored by the presentation of the King's and Regimental colors to the Ceylon Light Infantry (CLI).[5]

During the First World War, many volunteers from the Defence Force traveled to England and joined the British Army, and many of them were killed in action. One of them mentioned by Arthur Conan Doyle was Private 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.[7]

In 1939, the CDF was mobilized and an enormous expansion took place which required the 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, the Ceylon Signals Corps and the Colombo Town Guard Unit, which had been previously disbanded, but was later re-formed to meet military requirements. During the Second World War Britain assumed direct control over the Armed Forces of Ceylon.[8]

Post-independence

File:Maj Gen Mutukumaru.jpg
Major General Anton Muttukumaru O.B.E, E.D 09th Feb 1955 - 31st Dec. 1959 - First Ceylonese Commander

At the end of World War II, the task of returning the enormously swollen wartime CDF to its normal proportions got under way. In 1948 Sri Lanka gained independence from Britain, and in 1949 the Army Act was passed by Parliament raising the Ceylon Army,[9] 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.

There were no formations and all units were structured to directly function under the Army Headquarters. Temporary field headquarters were to be formed at the time requirement arose, as 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 later disbanded in 1981. In May 1972, when Ceylon became the Republic of Sri Lanka, all Army units were renamed accordingly.

1970–Present

Main article: Sri Lankan Civil War

After successfully defeating the insurgency led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in 1971, the army was confronted with a new conflict, this time with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and other Tamil militant groups. 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 halted follwoing the signing of a ceasefire agreement in 2002 with the help of international mediation. However, renewed violence broke out in December 2005 and following the collapse of peace talks, the Arny has been involved in the heavy fighting that has resumed in the north and east of the country.

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

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

Peacekeeping

The Sri Lanka Army has taken part in two peacekeeping missions with United Nationsover the course of its history. First assignment was in Congo (ONUC) (1960 - 1963). Most recently, following the signing of 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.[10] 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.[11] After over 6 months of service, the first contingent of the peacekeeping force returned to Sri Lanka on May 17, 2005.[10]

Organization

The staff in the Army is assigned to support the field troops. The Army Headquarters is divided into a number of branches, namely the General Staff (GS) branch responsible for coordination of operations and training and the 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. The Master General of Ordnance's (MGOs) branch is responsible for procurement and maintenance of vehicles and special equipment.[12]

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.[12]

The Headquarters of field formations each have 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.[12]

Various formations are also raised from time to time to suit various security requirements in the country. The Army is currently organized 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 of Sri Lanka. 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 arms (Service Corps, Engineering Services, Ordnance Corps, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) under its command. In peaceful areas, instead of brigades, there are Area and Sub-Area Headquarters. Armour, Artillery, Engineers and Signals Units are grouped under Brigade Headquarters of their own arm; Armored Brigade, Artillery Brigade and so on.

Like the Indian Army, the Sri Lanka 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) operate independently and recruit their own members. Officers tend to remain in a single battalion throughout their careers. The infantry battalion, the basic unit of organization in field operations, includes five companies of four platoons each. Typical platoon have three squads (sections) of ten personnel each. In addition to the basic infantry forces, a commando regiment was also established in 1986. Support for the infantry is 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.[13]

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.[13] By 2007, the Army had expanded to over 120,000 personal.[1]

Regiments and training centers

Regiments[9]

The first ever-armored 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.
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 120 mm mortars. Also participated in the defense of colonial Ceylon during the two World Wars. Headquartered at Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda.
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.
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 Cantonment, Panagoda.
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 Cantonment, Panagoda.
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.
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.
Formed by Lt.Col. Vijaya Wimalaratne when the 1st Battalion of the Rajarata Rifles and 1st Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment were amalgamated. Currently consists of 10 Regular units and 5 Volunteer units. Headquartered at Saliyapura Military Base, Anuradapura.
Formed on 15 November, 1988 at Malay Street with Lt.Col. J.Nammuni (SLSR) as first Commanding Officer. Currently the youngest infantry regiment in the Sri Lanka Army, consisting of 8 Regular units and 4 Volunteer units. The Regimental Centre initially at Sinhawilluwatta in Puttalam, presently headquartered at Boyagane Camp, Kurunegala.
Formed as a special unit to combat terrorism, upgraded to a full regiment in 1986 under Lt. Col S.D Peiris. Receives specialized training in anti-terrorist and anti–hijack techniques, and airborne operations. Consisting of 2 Regular units, takes part in most major military operations, and also performs special duties in the Presidential Security Division. Headquartered at Ganemulla.
Evolved from the “Combat Tracker Team”, which was tasked to carry out small group operations deep inside enemy territory. Conducts unconventional warfare and special ops in remote, urban or rural environments, either as a “deep penetration unit” force or for extended missions. Consists of 3 Regiments and has the distinction of taking part in almost all major offensives conducted by the Army since 1986. Headquartered at Seeduwa.
Collects, collates and provides intelligence for the successful conduct of military operations. Combat intelligence units provide intelligence on the enemy’s organizational capabilities, tactics and intentions. Currently consists of 2 Regular units. Headquartered at Colombo.
Initially formed as part of the Corps of Engineers to maintain Army buildings and the Panagoda Cantonment, it was later redesigned as a separate regiment. Consisting of 3 Regular units and 1 Volunteer unit, it currently designs, constructs and maintains all buildings, roads and associated facilities used by the Sri Lanka Army. Headquartered at Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda.

Training Centers[14]

File:SLA MSTS.JPG
The Maskmenship and Sniper Training School was was established in 1989 at Diyathalawa for training snipers and in conducting for the development of maskmenship in Sri Lanka Army.
  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)

Training

File:SLACTS Ampara.JPG
Battle Physical Efficiency Tests (BPET) being conduct at the Combat Training School (CTS), Ampara.

Training for the Army personnel is mostly provided at the Army Training Center 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 was established in 1981 encompassing the former Officers' Cadet School and the Officers' Study Center. The Military Academy provides 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 runs for ninety weeks and it helps prepare 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 helps to promote leadership qualities and the understanding of each one’s role as an officer and a servant of the state. Due to the lack of officers within the lower levels, the training process was sped up in the 1980s 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 including 18 officers. Required additional training is given by individual field units.[12][13]

Training for cadets is provided at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy formed in 1981 and situated in Ratmalana, fourteen kilometers south of Colombo. 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.[12][13]

As the armed forces of Sri Lanka have a limited indigenous training facilities, especially in advanced roles, they have depended greatly on military training provided by foreign countries. The United Kingdom 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) trained army officers in counterinsurgency techniques.[13]

Women in the Sri Lanka Army

File:Lt. Col. K Weerasekara.JPG
Lt.Col.Kumudini Weerasekara the first SLAWC officer to command the unit.
Main article: Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps

The Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps (SLAWC) was formed on 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 General Common Entrance (Ordinary level) 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 the 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 battle craft training. Female 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, the first batch of women graduates from the British Army's Women's Corp Center certified to serve as Army Instructors.[15]

Up to 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.[16]

To meet the operational requirements in the field areas, the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the Women’s Corps was also raised. A few officers from the regular counter part were attached to this unit to organize the command structure. They are currently 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.[17]


Personnel

The Sri Lanka Army presently stands at 118,000 strong including 2,960 women plus an additional 10,000 personal in reserve.[18]

Notable fallen members

Equipment

File:WZ551 SL.JPG
WZ551 armoured personnel carrier in Sri Lanka

After the 1971 uprising, the army expanded its range of weapons from the original stock of World War II-era British Lee Enfield rifles, Sten Submachine guns, Vickers machine guns, Bren machine guns, 6-inch coastal guns, 40 mm anti-aircraft guns, 3.7 inch heavy anti-aircraft guns 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 continued to be an important source of arms well into the 1990s.[13]

To meet the threat posed by predominantly the LTTE, Army purchased modern military hardware including 5 Inch caliber Heavy machine guns, Rocket Propelled Grenade Launchers, Night Vision Devices, 106 mm Recoilless rifles, 60 mm and 81 mm Mortars, 40 mm Grenade Launchers and some Sniper Rifles. Refurbished armored personnel carriers were added to the 'A' vehicle fleet of the 1st Reece Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps. These APCs enabled the Armoured Corps to have their own assault troops 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 Ordnance QF 25 pounders.[13][22]

Though the weapons were obsolete at the time of purchase, the Government security forces found them to be successful in combat. Land mines 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 Northern and Eastern Provinces. These mines are deployed with normalcy against government trucks and buses, with a high rate of casualty. These landmines weighed approximately 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.[13][22]

File:Btr80.jpg
BTR-80

In recent years, Sri Lanka has become increasingly reliant on China for weapons.[23] This is due to most European nations and the United States Governments passing regulations about the selling of weaponry to nations which are suffering from internal conflict.[24] However 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.

China 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.[25] Sri Lanka also continues to receive a variety of weapons from Britain, Pakistan, Israel and other former suppliers.[26][23]

See also

Further reading

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

References

  1. ^ a b c "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2000" (HTML). U.S. State Department. 23. Retrieved 2007-03-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. ^ "Deadly arsenals dot Sri Lanka". Richard M Bennett. Asia Times Online. 05 August, 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "Commander-in-Chief Completes One Year in Office". Media Center for National Security. 2007-03-08. Retrieved 2007-04-20.
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  11. ^ "2 U.N. peacekeepers killed in Haiti fighting". San Diego Union Tribune. March 21, 2005. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Military Balance, Sri Lanka". Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
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  22. ^ a b Army, Sri Lanka (1999). "Chapter 1". Sri Lanka Army, "50 YEARS ON" - 1949-1999 (1st Edition ed.). Colombo: Sri Lanka Army. p. 393. ISBN 995-8089-02-8. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Check |isbn= value: checksum (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  23. ^ a b Bedi, Rahul (2007-06-02). "Sri Lanka turns to Pakistan, China for military needs". IANS. Urdustan.com Network. Retrieved 2007-06-02.
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  30. ^ a b "Profiling the Small Arms Industry" (HTML). Arms Trade Resource Center. World Policy Institute. 2000. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  31. ^ "Trans-National Crime and Light Weapons Proliferation: Security Implications for the State" (HTML). Tara Kartha. IDSA. 15. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  32. ^ "If You're Involved in Resolving the" (HTML). ibiblio.org. 05. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  33. ^ "Biography of Mikhail Kalashnikov" (HTML). VRQ International, Inc. 14. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  34. ^ a b "Sri Lanka Asks Pakistan For USD60 Million in Defence Assistance" (HTML). Jane's Information Group. 08. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  35. ^ "Type 69 Main Battle Tank" (HTML). GlobalSecurity.org. 31. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  36. ^ "Saladin" (HTML). Army Guide.com. 15. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  37. ^ "Sri Lanka (LTTE)" (HTML). International Institute For Strategic Studies. 15. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  38. ^ "BMP-2" (HTML). Army Guide.com. 15. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  39. ^ "BMP-1" (HTML). Army Guide.com. 15. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  40. ^ "BTR-80 (GAZ 5903)" (HTML). Army Guide.com. 15. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  41. ^ Armada, International (2006). The Trend (PDF). No.1 (Volume 30 ed.). Zurich: Armada International. p. 32. ISBN 0252-9793. Retrieved 15. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: length (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |origmonth= and |origdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonth= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  42. ^ "BTR-152" (HTML). Army Guide.com. 15. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  43. ^ "HUSSAR" (HTML). Army Guide.com. 15. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  44. ^ "Buffel" (HTML). Army Guide.com. 15. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  45. ^ Nonis, Anton (2004-04-25). "The evolution of the indigenous armoured vehicle: From Unicorn to Unibuffel". The Sunday Observer. Retrieved 2007-03-16.
  46. ^ "Shorland S55" (HTML). Army Guide.com. 15. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  47. ^ "Saracen" (HTML). Army Guide.com. 15. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  48. ^ "Ferret Mk 1/1" (HTML). Army Guide.com. 15. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  49. ^ a b "United Nations Register of Conventional Arms" (PDF). United Nations. 21. Retrieved 2007-03-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  50. ^ Saferworld's research project on arms and security in EU Associate Countries, Czech Republic
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