Sri Lanka Artillery Marks its 122nd Regimental Anniversary with Commander as Chief Guest

One of the oldest Regiments in the Army, Sri Lanka Artillery, more popularly known as ‘Gunners’ marked its historic 122nd Anniversary on Sunday (April 18) during a series of commemorative celebrations, inclusive of an all-night Pirith Chanting, Memorial Event and launch of its own ‘Gunner’ website (www.gunner.lk). The day’s commemorative events took place at the Artillery Regimental Headquarters, Panagoda.

The day’s proceedings started as the Chief Guest Lieutenant General Jayasuriya in the company of Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President Seva Vanitha Army Branch arrived at the venue. Major General Rambukpotha, Colonel Commandant welcomed the Commander while Mrs Rambukpotha received the lady, Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya.

Later on, the visiting Army Chief received honours at a Guard Turn Out accorded by soldiers of the Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA).

The SLA War Hero monument then attracted the attention as the visiting Commander laid a flower wireath on it and took a keen interest to read all the names of fallen War Heroes being inscribed. It was a moving moment for all who have gathered there. Parents, spouses and next of kin of fallen War Heroes, with flowers held in their hands lined up next and paid their tributes to their memories. The moment remained solemn and dignified with tears pouring as the foot of the monument, gradually draped in multi-coloured bouquets of flowers. Afterwards, the Commander was to attend to another milestone in the programme.

On the invitation of the Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Artillery Major General J.C. Rambukpotha, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya as the distinguished Chief Guest for the occasion launched the Sri Lanka Artillery’s first-ever website (www.gunner.lk) that evening at the auspicious hour inside Artillery Officers’ Mess, Army Cantonment, Panagoda. The Pirith chanting ceremony later in the same evening was attended by all regimental senior and junior officers as well as other ranks.

The root of the Sri Lanka Artillery goes back to 1888 when on 12 April 1888 Ceylon Artillery Volunteers was formed as a gun battery under the command of Capt. C.E.H Seimons of Royal Artillery. During World War I and World War II Ceylon Artillery was mobilized and played a key role to support the Allied and Commonwealth forces in the Indian Ocean. Equipped with 6 inch Guns the Ceylon Garrison Artillery was deployed in the defence of Seychelles and the Cocos Islands.

In 1949, with the formation of the Ceylon Army under Army Act No 17 of 1949, Ceylon Garrison Artillery became Ceylon Artillery. That year the 1st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (HAA) and 2nd Volunteer Coastal Artillery/Anti Aircraft Regiment of the Ceylon Artillery were formed. Subsequently in 1953 the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment was formed. In 1963 all three regiments were amalgamated and the 4th Regiment Ceylon Artillery was formed thus restructuring Ceylon Artillery as a single regiment. The Ceylon Artillery was renamed in 1972 as Sri Lanka Artillery when Ceylon became a republic. In the year 1980 a volunteer regiment, the 5th (V) Artillery Regiment was formed.

At present the Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery has 12 regular regiments, 2 volunteer regiments and a regimental band. These artillery units form the Artillery Brigade. From the inception of the Sri Lankan civil war in the 1980’s the Regiment of Artillery has provided fire support for all military operations carried out by the Sri Lanka Army against terrorists. It also performed the role of target acquisition to locate hostile guns. The Regiment has also deployed 4 regular [RFT] regiments and 2 volunteer regiments on infantry role to meet the shortage of infantry troops. The significant role played by the Regiment of Artillery in safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the motherland throughout the antiterrorist operations, and particularly during the recently concluded humanitarian operations, is praiseworthy.

The “Gunner” web site, which will allow a glimpse of the Regiment to the wider world, was an idea of present Colonel Commandant Major General J C Rambukpotha RSP USP ndc psc IG. This colorful web site will carry valuable information such as history of the Regiment, news, events/calendar, sports achievements and other archival data including photographs and important news items. Details of all past and present members of the Gunner family, especially all war heroes who laid down their lives will also be displayed. Activities of the Ladies Club and the Junior Gunner Club will cover information on the welfare of soldiers and their families. It will also provide Gunner email addresses to all members of the Regiment and their families.

Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Artillery Major General JC Rambukpotha stated that “We were delighted to launch the much awaited web site for the betterment of our officers and soldiers in the Regiment. It was a privilege and a honour to have the Commander of the Army to grace this occasion and launch the website during his inaugural visit to the Regiment after assuming command.” He also dedicated the web to all Gunner Heroes who have laid down their lives in defence of Mother Lanka and expressed his confidence that this web will carry on with “Good Shooting” in the Gunner Arena.