Victory is a landmark of Bravery, even in any corner of this earth. It is common to animals and humans. Many human and animal cultures define Bravery in different faces in various situations. So it’s a jewel to anyone since all can’t grab it. Bravery must gain commitment and a strong mentality by defeating the causes of fear. So if someone did an act with Bravery, we call it a Lions act. Hence the lions are called mirrors of Bravery.
But today’s story compiling not about lions in the jungles. It’s all about the lions on two-foot, who fought to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against LTTE terrorism. Simply with the theme of ‘Swift and Bold’.with that whole country knowing them as Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR). These lions were in the Sri Lankan dry forests in the northern and Eastern Provinces instead of animal lions with humanity-filled hearts during humanitarian Operations.
Really they are comparatively different from all other regiments in the Army. They have their own identity, mainly in colours of insignias. Generally, when Stars’ name is heard, we can imagine shiny objectives, but lions haven’t that shine in any insignias. All of them are pure black without tiny shiny even in the insignias of Officers. Meantime Other Ranks also have the same strips and emblems in pure black. Even though all signs are Black, these lions shine only with Bravery in the field. They are different from other regiments at the speed of march. They march like arrows with quick steps(140 steps per Minute, whilst other regiments march 120 steps per Minute). The Regiment was formed according to the traditions of the Royal Green Jackets Regiment in the United Kingdom, which Amalgamated with the Royal light infantry in 2007.
These brave sons have a proud history in the Army. The Regiment formed As the Government felt the need to expand the Army’s infantry capability, a Rifle Regiment designated the 1st Battalion Ceylon Sinha Regiment was raised on 1 October 1956, with its headquarters at the Imperial Camp Diyatalawa. Lieutenant Colonel RD Jayatilleka was appointed as its first Commanding Officer.
This swift and bold black Lions are now 66 years old. During the flashback of these 66 years with that start, the lion dens were strategically established according to the country’s needs, starting with insurgency and ruthless wake of terrorism. Although, in reality, they showed their Bravery during the humanitarian operations, 143 officers and 3719 other ranks made the supreme sacrifice while defending the country’s territorial integrity.
The Bravery of the lions is honoured by the Nation with The gallantry award of Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV) ( Parama Wīra Vibhūṣaṇaya; ) is Sri Lanka’s highest military decoration, awarded for acts of exceptional valour in wartime.( Parama Weera Vibhushanaya translates as the “Decoration of Supreme Heroism”). This award is granted for “individual acts of gallantry and conspicuous bravery of the most exceptional order in the face of the enemy”.
Captain Saliya Aladeniya (Hero of the Kokavil -1990 ), Corporal Gamini Kularathna, well-known as Hasalaka Gamini (Hero of Elephant Pass in 1991), Corporal Abeyrathna Banda, Sergeant A.M Anura, Lance Corporal Mahinda Rajapaksha are the supreme sacrificed heroes of this Sri Lanka Sinha regiment and awarded Parama Weera Wibhshana (PWV) by the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for their sacrificing of lives towards the better Nation.
Now the war is over, but the lions are still there around Sri Lanka with regular battalions of 1 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment in Ambepussa, 4 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment-Nelliaydi, 6 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment-Visuwamadu, 7 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment – palugaswewa, 8 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment- Kegalle, 9 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment-paranthan ,12 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment – Ellankulam, 14 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment- Oddusudan, 16 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment- Kanagarayamkulam, 20 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment – Kataragama, 21 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment – Omanthai , 23 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment-Pothuvil, 24 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment – Alampil, HQBN Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment and volunteer battalions of 2nd(Volunteer) Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment – Kandy , 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment -Nwaraeliya,5th(Volunteer) Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment- Mullaithivu ,11th(Volunteer) Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment- Kampatakulam,15th(Volunteer) Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment- Periyawalayankaddu,17th(Volunteer) Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment- Kamppatukulam.
Presently the regimental centre of the Regiment is Located in Ambepussa in a picturesque location consisting of state art of architectural and landscaping settings and the natural beauty of flowing Madu Oya. Major General Priyantha Jayawardena, Commander Security Forces East, holding the appointment of the Colonel of the Regiment, and Brigadier Nishantha Muthumala is the Centre Commandant.
The uniqueness of this proud Regiment was to be privileged to receive a presidential truncheon and The regimental truncheon on 30 January 2017 by HE, the president. It was a historical day in Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Army history where the 1st truncheon was awarded to a regiment that can use in ceremonies when other regiments use their presidential and regimental colours.
Similarly, Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka can identify as a landmark in their proud story since he is the 1st ever born field marshal in Sri Lanka from these brave, swift, and bold lions.
This Lions regiment has the most significant architectural achievement: an eco-friend library constructed by the troops in Regimental centre Ambepussa. It was recognized as the world’s second best and was nominated for the Silver Medal in the 4th International Eco-Friendly Construction competition by the ‘Holcim Foundation. It was beating 151 competing countries.
Those are the few significant flashbacks of the lions. Especially every Sri Lanka Sinha regiment battalion is now practising the 5S Concept in line with the Sri Lanka Army way Forward Strategy 20-25 Visionary concept. All these new elements further contribute to the Nation under the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage and the Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Priyantha Jayawardena.
So these lions in the dens are now joined their hands for the country’s betterment in all nation-building activities, Green Agriculture enhancement, assisting the nations in natural disasters, enhancing the reconciliation between nations and many more with love and care together with their swift and Bold commitments.
By Nisal Rukshan