Gajaba Regiment

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Gajaba Regiment
Cap badge of the Gajaba Regiment
Active	October 14, 1983 - Present
Country	Sri Lanka
Branch	Sri Lanka Army
Type	Rifles
Role	Infantry/Light Role
Size	11 battalions
Regimental Centre	Saliyapura Camp, Anuradhapura.
Motto	‘Samagiya Shakthiyai' (Unity is Strength)
Colors	Light green
Anniversaries	14 October (Regimental day)
Engagements	Sri Lankan Civil War
Decorations	2 Parama Weera Vibhushanayas
Commanders
Centre Commandant	Lt Col A.W.M.A.W.N. Ranawana RWP, RSP, psc, GR (Offtg)
Colonel of the Regiment	Maj Gen U.B.L. Fernando RWP, RSP, ndu, psc, GW
Notable commanders	Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne RWP,RSP,VSP,USP,GR †
Insignia
Identification symbol	"GAJABA" shoulder tab

The Gajaba Regiment (GR) was formed when 1st Battalion the Rajarata Rifles and 1st Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment were amalgamated in 1983 to counter the threat from the LTTE. It is made up of six regular regiments, five volunteer regiments. Headquartered at Saliyapura Camp, Anuradhapura. It is named after a Sri Lankan famous warrior King Gajabahu the First.

1 History
2 Units
- 2.1 Regular Army
- 2.2 Volunteers
3 Recipient of the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya
4 Notable members
5 Order of Precedence
6 See also
7 External links and sources
8 References

[edit] History

The 1st battalion of the Regiment was formed on 14 October 1983 with the amalgamation of the Rajarata Rifles and Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, under the command of Lt. Col. (later Major General) Vijaya Wimalaratne at Saliyapura Camp. The Cap badge of the Gajaba Regiment is designed with a Shield, two Battle Axes (Keteri) and a powder flask. The Regiment rapidly expanded due to the Sri Lankan Civil War

The regiment was awarded President's Colours by H.E. President Mahinda Rajapakse on 11 January 2007.

[edit] Units

[edit] Regular Army

1st Gajaba Regiment
3rd Gajaba Regiment
4th Gajaba Regiment
6th Gajaba Regiment
8th Gajaba Regiment
10th Gajaba Regiment

[edit] Volunteers

2nd(v) Gajaba Regiment
5th(v) Gajaba Regiment
7th(v) Gajaba Regiment
11th(v) Gajaba Regiment
15th(v) Gajaba Regiment

[edit] Recipient of the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya

[edit] Notable members

Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne RWP,RSP,VSP,USP,GR † - Commander Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna (SF HQ (J)) & One of the greatest generals in modern Sri Lanka