Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment
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| Commando Regiment | |
|---|---|
 Beret flash of the Commando Regiment |
|
| Active | 1980 - Present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Army |
| Type | Commando |
| Role | Special operations Counter-Terrorism |
| Size | 4 Regiments |
| Part of | Commando Brigade |
| Regimental Centre | Ganemulla |
| Motto | Nothing is Impossible |
| Colors | Maroon |
| Engagements | Insurrection 1987-89 Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel of the Regiment | Maj Gen W.U.B. Edirisinghe |
| Centre Commandant | Col H.W.S.D.B. Pananwala RSP |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
"COMMANDO" shoulder tab
Maroon beret with regimental cap badge |
The Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment (CR) is an elite special operations unit which is a Regiment of the Sri Lanka army. 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.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
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 10 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. To meet the operational requirements the Commando Regiment was expanded and a Commando Brigade was formed on the 18th of March 1997. A third regiment was formed August 1, 2007 with Maj Udith Bandara as officer commanding.
[edit] Organization
The units used 20 man teams which are split into four 4-8 man assault units. They have received training from Great Britain, India, Israel and Pakistan. Approximately 40 per cent of the Regiments are airborne qualified. The three Commando Regiments and three Special Forces Regiments are grouped into an Independent Brigade under the command of a Brigadier. Approximately 40 percent of the two Commando Regiments are airborne qualified, either in Pakistan (training now discontinued), India or at the commando training school in Ganemulla. It may operate in conjunction with the Special Boat Squadron of the Sri Lanka Navy, although this has not been confirmed. The Commando Regiment has only 4 Regular units.
[edit] Function
Current CR roles are believed to include
- Protection of senior Sri Lankan dignitaries, military officers and VVIPs.
- Intelligence collection in the deep and medium battlespace.
- Battlespace preparation by sabotage and offensive raiding in the medium battlespace.
- Anti–hijack and Counter Terrorism operations inside Sri Lanka territory in conjunction with police forces.
- Hostage rescue-related operations.
[edit] Units
[edit] Regular Army
- 1st Commando Regiment
- 2nd Commando Regiment
- 3rd Commando Regiment
- 4th Commando Regiment
- HQ BN Commando(RFT)
- Commando Regiment Training School
[edit] Military operations
[edit] Operation Thoppigala
The 3rd Commando Regiment participated in the military offensive which was launched to capture the Thoppigala (Baron's cap) from LTTE during the period of June/July 2007. They managed to seize the rocky plateau which had been named by the LTTE as Tora Bora. Around 200 LTTE cadres were killed during the entire offensive.[2]
[edit] Reconnaissance missions
- Periyamadu rescue (November 22, 2001): An eight man reconnaissance team was surrounded by the LTTE at Periyamadu, Vanni region 20km inside the enemy lines after an anti-personnel mine blast which injured one of them. The trapped team was rescued by the Helicopter Squadron deployed from the Hingurakgoda Air Force base.[3]
[edit] Notable members
- Major General Janaka Perera RWP, RSP, VSP, USP, rcds, psc, CR - former Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, a Leader of Operation "Riviresa", former Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Australia & Ambassador to Indonesia
- Major General P.P. Fernando RWP, RSP, psc, CR † - former Deputy commanding officer of 54th Division
- Major M.D. Manjula Sarathchandra, CR † - attached to Commando 2 Regiment killed during the "Operation Jayasikurui" July 1997.[4]
[edit] Order of Precedence
| Preceded by: Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment |
Order of Precedence | Succeeded by: Special Forces Regiment |
[edit] See also
- Military of Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Army
- Military ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka Army
- Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment
- Special Boat Squadron
- Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment Special Force
- Sri Lankan Civil War
[edit] Further reading
- The Perfect Soldier: Special Operations, Commandos, and the Future of U.S. Warfare by James F. Dunnigan[5]
- Sri Lanka Army, 50 YEARS ON - 1949-1999, (1st Edition)[6]
[edit] References
- ^ The Deadly Mahasohon Brigade. StrategyWorld.com (September 19, 2007).
- ^ "Sri Lanka cites success against rebels", boston.com/AP News, July 9, 2007.
- ^ Rescue Mission In Air. Sunday Observer (April 13, 2008).
- ^ Donating houses in memory fo Major Manjula Sarathchandra
- ^ Publisher : Citadel, Year:(June 1, 2003), Language: English, ISBN-10: 0806524154 / ISBN-13: 978-0806524153
- ^ Publisher : Sri Lanka Army, Year : October 1999, ISBN : 995-8089-02-8
[edit] External links
- Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment
- Sri Lanka Army
- Ministry of Defence Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka, Special Operations and Counterterrorist Forces
- Commando Regiment Opens New Chapter in History:when it pinned the parachute badge (para badge) on twenty-four Maldivian officers and soldiers
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 Sri Lanka Army |  Sri Lanka Navy |  Sri Lanka Air Force |
