Revision 249648 of "ශ්‍රී ලංකා යුද්ධ හමුදාව" on siwiki

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{{verylong|date=අගෝස්තු 2011}}
{{Infobox Military Unit
|unit_name        = ශ්‍රී ලංකා යුද්ධ හමුදාව
|image            = [[Image:Sri Lanka Army Logo.png|150px]] [[Image:The Sri Lanka Army Flag And Crest.JPG|150px]]
|caption          = [[Sri Lanka Army Flag And Crest|ශ්‍රී ලංකා යුද්ධ හමුදා නිළ ලාංඡනය සහ ධජය]]
|dates            = 1949 ඔක්තෝබර් මස 09 දින සිට අද දක්වා
|country          = [[Sri Lanka]]
|allegiance       =
|branch           = [[Sri Lanka Armed Forces]]
|type             = [[යුද්ධ හමුදාව]]
|role             = Foreign and Domestic Defense
|size             = 276,700<ref>http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2010/07/25/sec04.asp</ref>
|command_structure= [[ආරක්ෂක අමාත්‍යාංශය (ශ්‍රී ලංකාව)|ආරක්ෂක අමාත්‍යාංශය]]
|garrison         = [[යුද්ධ හමුදා මූලස්ථානය]], [[කොළඹ 03]]
|garrison_label   = Military Headquarters
|nickname         =
|patron           =
|motto            = {{lang-la|[[Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori|Pro Patria]]}} <br> "රට වෙනුවෙන්"
|colors           =
|colors_label     =
|march            =
|mascot           =
|equipment        =
|equipment_label  =
|battles          = [[දෙවන ලෝක යුද්ධය]]<br />[[1971 JVP Insurrection]]<br />[[1987–89 JVP Insurrection]]<br />[[Sri Lankan Civil War]]
|anniversaries    = ඔක්තෝබර් මස 09 වැනි දින
|decorations      =
|battle_honours   =
|disbanded        =
<!-- Commanders -->
|commander1       = [[ලුතිතන් ජෙනරාල්|ලුති.ජෙන.]] [[ජගත් ජයසූරිය]]
|commander1_label = [[යුද්ධ හමුදාධිපති (ශ්‍රී ලංකාව)|යුද්ධ හමුදාධිපති]]
|commander2       =
|commander2_label =
|commander3       =
|commander3_label =
|notable_commanders= [[ජෙනරාල්|ජෙන.]] [[ඩී. එස්. ආටිගල]]<br>[[ජෙනරාල්|ජෙන.]] [[සරත් ෆොන්සේකා]]<br>[[ලුතිතන් ජෙනරාල්|ලුති.ජෙන.]] [[ඩෙන්සිල් කොබ්බෑකඩුව]]<br>[[මේජර් ජෙනරාල්|මේජර්. ජෙන.]] [[විජය විමලරත්න]]<br>[[මේජර් ජෙනරාල්|මේජර්. ජෙන.]] [[බර්ට්‍රම් හයින්]]<br>[[මේජර් ජෙනරාල්|මේජර්. ජෙන.]] [[ඇන්ටන් මුතුකුමරු]]
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol         =
|identification_symbol_label   =
|identification_symbol_2       =
|identification_symbol_2_label =
|identification_symbol_3       =
|identification_symbol_3_label =
|identification_symbol_4       =
|identification_symbol_4_label =
<!-- Aircraft -->
|aircraft_attack                 =
|aircraft_bomber                 =
|aircraft_electronic             =
|aircraft_fighter                =
|aircraft_helicopter             =
|aircraft_helicopter_attack      =
|aircraft_helicopter_cargo       =
|aircraft_helicopter_multirole   =
|aircraft_helicopter_observation =
|aircraft_helicopter_transport   =
|aircraft_helicopter_utility     =
|aircraft_interceptor            =
|aircraft_patrol                 =
|aircraft_recon                  =
|aircraft_trainer                =
|aircraft_transport              =
}}
{{ශ්‍රී ලංකා යුද්ධ හමුදාව}}
{{Sri Lankan Conflict}}
The '''Sri Lanka Army''' is the oldest and largest of the [[Sri Lanka]] [[Sri Lanka Armed Forces|Armed Forces]] and is responsible for  [[army|land-based military]] and [[humanitarian]] operations. Established as the '''Ceylon Army''' in 1949, it was renamed when Sri Lanka became a [[republic]] in 1972. As of the year 2010, the Army has believed to have approximately 200,000 regular and reserve personnel approximately between 20,000-40,000 and 18,000 [[Sri Lanka National Guard|National Guardsmen]]<ref name="USSD">{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/sa/index.cfm?docid=704 |title=Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2000 |accessdate=2007-03-23 |date= February 23, 2001 |publisher=U.S. State Department }}</ref><ref name="island1">[http://www.island.lk/2008/02/11/news2.html Army now 150,000 strong recruits more, readies for big battles on the Vanni front. The Island]</ref> and comprises 13 operational [[Division (military)|divisions]], one air-mobile [[brigade]], one [[commando]] brigade, one [[special forces]] brigade, one independent armored brigade, three [[mechanized infantry]] brigades and over 40 [[infantry]] brigades.<ref name="atimes1">{{cite news | url =http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/HH05Df02.html | title =Deadly arsenals dot Sri Lanka| work =Richard M Bennett|publisher = Asia Times Online|date = 5 August 2006}}</ref> From the 1980s to 2009 the army was engaged in the [[Sri Lankan civil war]].

The professional head of the Sri Lanka Army is the [[Commander of the Army (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Army]], currently [[Lieutenant General]] [[Jagath Jayasuriya]].<ref>[http://www.island.lk/2009/07/13/news20.html Army, Navy get new commanders]</ref> The [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the Sri Lankan Military is the [[President of Sri Lanka|President of the country]], who heads the [[National Security Council of Sri Lanka|National Security Council]] through the [[Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka)|Ministry of Defense]], which is the highest level of military command charged with formulating, executing defence policy and procurements for the armed forces.<ref>{{cite news | title=Commander-in-Chief Completes One Year in Office | date=2007-03-08 | publisher=Media Center for National Security | url =http://www.rnhit.com/mcns/articles/commander-in-chief.html?PHPSESSID=8a9729bc19d560d81319bc8bee3f380a | accessdate = 2007-04-20 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070928111958/http://www.rnhit.com/mcns/articles/commander-in-chief.html?PHPSESSID=8a9729bc19d560d81319bc8bee3f380a <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-09-28}}</ref> However operations of the Sri Lanka Army are coordinated by the Joint Operations Command, with other two armed forces.

The Sri Lankan Army has also provided special training to the [[United States Army]] on their request as well as many other countries in military education regarding civilian rescue, jungle combat, and guerilla warfare etc.<ref name="colombopage.com">http://www.colombopage.com/archive_10A/May15_1273933283JR.php</ref>

==ඉතිහාසය==
===Ancient and pre-colonial times===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Vijay landing.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Landing of King Vijaya depicted in an [[Ajanta Caves|Ajanta]] fresco. {{deletable image-caption}}]] -->
The first military engagements in [[History of Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan]] history were marked by the advent of [[Vijaya|King Vijaya]], a [[Bengal]] prince who landed along with his followers on the beaches of northwestern Sri Lanka around [[543 BC]]. Prince Vijaya and his followers occupied the lands of the native [[Veddah]] people. Repeated incursions by South Indians, particularly the [[Chola]]s, into Sri Lankan territory occurred throughout the next few centuries and led to the engagement of the rival forces in battle.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.lk/history2.php |title=Sri Lanka Army History, The Ancient Time |accessdate=2007-02-04  |format= |work=Sri Lanka Army |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070202064404/http://www.army.lk/history2.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-02-02}}</ref> In one famous encounter, Sinhalese [[King Dutugemunu]] ([[200 BC]]) raised an army of eleven thousand inhabitants in his battle against the Chola invader [[Elara (King)|King Elara]], whom he eventually defeated. King Dutugemunu's organizational skills, bravery and chivalry are famous and his battles have gone down in history as outstanding offensive operations.<ref name="SLABOOK">{{cite book |last=Army |first=Sri Lanka
|title=Sri Lanka Army, ''"50 YEARS ON" - 1949-1999'' |edition=1st Edition |year=1999 |month=October |publisher=Sri Lanka Army |location=Colombo |isbn=978-955-8089-02-6
|pages=1–3 |chapter=Chapter 1 }}</ref>

Other Sri Lankan [[List of rulers of Sri Lanka|rulers]] whose military achievements stand out include [[Gajabahu I|King Gajabâhu]] ([[113 AD]]), who sailed to [[India]] to bring back his captured soldiers, and King Dhatusena ([[433|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]]. Vijayabâhu I ([[1001 AD]]) was another warrior king who dislodged Indian invaders and united the country. [[Parakramabahu the Great]] ([[1153|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 for 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 Parâkramabâhu VI, who defeated Indian invaders, united the island and ruled it from capital [[Kotte|Sri Jayawardhanapura, Kotte]].<ref name="SLABOOK"/>
Although the known [[Epigraph (literature)|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' [[Equestrianism|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.<ref name="SLABOOK"/>

===Colonial era===

Parts of Sri Lanka came under the control of three colonial [[Europe]]an powers, namely the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] in the 16th century, the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] in the 17th century and the [[බ්‍රිතාන්‍ය අධිරාජ්‍යය|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.<ref name="SLABOOK"/>

====පෘතුගීසී හා ලන්දේසි නීතිය (1505-1796 AD)====
In the beginning of the 16th century, modern Europe first came in contact with Sri Lanka, which was then referred to as Ceylon. In 1505 a [[Portugal|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.<ref name='lklib-port'>{{cite web |url=http://www.lankalibrary.com/geo/portu2.htm |title=The Portuguese in Sri Lanka (1505-1658) |accessdate=2004-06-30 |work=WWW Virtual Library - Sri Lanka }}</ref> 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 seaboard. Numerous forts were soon established, and features of [[European civilization]] were introduced.<ref name="SLABOOK"/>

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 local inhabitants into their own forces. Thus the Portuguese were forced to restrict their presence in the island due to their small numbers and their efforts were more focussed toward projecting maritime power.<ref name="SLABOOK"/>

In 1602 [[Netherlands|Dutch]] explorers first landed in Sri Lanka, which was then under Portuguese control. By 1658 they had completely ousted the Portuguese from the coastal regions of the island. Much like the [[Portugal|Portuguese]], they did not employ locals in their military, and preferred to live in isolation, pursuing their interests in trade and commerce. Like the Portuguese, they defended their [[forts]] with their own forces, but unlike the Portuguese, Dutch forces employed [[Switzerland|Swiss]] and [[Malay race|Malay]] [[mercenaries]]. The Dutch Forts in [[Jaffna]], [[Galle]], [[Matara, Sri Lanka|Matara]], [[Batticaloa]] and [[Trincomalee]] were sturdily built and are considered a tribute to their military engineering skills. Also, like the Portuguese, the Dutch focussed on maritime power and although they had the capability to develop and use local forces, they chose to isolate themselves from the local population.<ref name="SLABOOK"/>

====බ්‍රිතාන්‍ය නීතිය (1798-1948 AD)====
The [[බ්‍රිතාන්‍ය අධිරාජ්‍යය]] then ousted the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] from the coastal areas of the country, and sought to conquer the independent [[Kingdom of Kandy|Kandyan Kingdom]]. In the face of repeated British assaults, the Kandyans were forced into a degree of [[guerrilla warfare]] and fared well against their superior British adversaries.<ref name="SLABOOK"/>

Initially the British stationed their forces, 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 [[Regiment de Meuron|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 people|Sinhalese]] unit, which was named the [[2nd Ceylon Regiment]], also known as the [[Sepoy|Sepoy Corps]].<ref name="SLABOOK"/>

In 1803 the [[3rd Ceylon Regiment]] was created with [[South Moluccas|Moluccans]] and recruits from [[Penang]]. All these regiments fought alongside British troops in the [[Kandyan Wars|Kandyan wars]] which began in 1803. Throughout the following years, more [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] and Malays were recruited to these regiments, and in 1814 the 4th Regiment was raised, which was composed 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 movements|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.<ref name="SLABOOK"/>

;ශ්‍රී ලංකා ස්වේච්ඡා පාබල හමුදාව
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 a Volunteer Corps in the island. It was designated the [[Ceylon Light Infantry|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

* [[ශ්‍රී ලංකා ස්වේච්ඡා කාලතුවක්කු හමුදාව]]
* [[ශ්‍රී ලංකා අශ්වාරෝහක සේනාව]] (CMI)
* [[ශ්‍රී ලංකා ස්වේච්ඡා වෛද්‍ය බලකාය]]
* [[ශ්‍රී ලංකා ස්වේච්ඡා පාබල හමුදා ශිෂ්‍යභට බලඇණිය]]
* [[ශ්‍රී ලංකා ඉංජිනේරු]]
* [[ශ්‍රී ලංකා සැපයුම් හා ප්‍රවාහන බලකාය]]
* [[Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps]] (CPRC).<ref name="SLABOOK"/>

;ශ්‍රී ලංකා ආරක්ෂක බලකාය
{{මූලික|Ceylon Defence Force}}
[[Image:PM visits the 1st Bn CLI.JPG|thumb|right|200px|First Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka Hon. [[Don Stephen Senanayake|D.S.Senanayaka]] visiting the 1st battalion of the CLI at the Echelon Square and watching volunteers being trained to handle [[light machine gun]]s.]]

In 1910 the name of the military was formally changed to the Ceylon Defence Force (CDF). It  continued to grow throughout the early period of the 20th century. The CDF saw active service when a contingent of the Ceylon Mounted Infantry (CMI) in 1900, and a contingent of the Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps (CPRC) in 1902, took part in the [[Second Boer War]] in [[South Africa]]. Their services were recognized by the presentation in 1902 of a [[Colours, standards and guidons|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 [[Regimental Colour|King's and Regimental colors]] to the [[Ceylon Light Infantry]] (CLI).<ref name="SLABOOK"/>

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 [[Sir]] [[Arthur Conan Doyle]] was [[Private (rank)|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.<ref name='indias-sla'>{{cite web |url=http://www.indias.com/php/wiki-Sri_Lankan_Army |title=Indias.com, Sri Lankan Army |accessdate=2006-02-04 |format= |work=Indias }}</ref>

In 1939, the CDF was mobilized and an enormous expansion took place which required the raising of new units such as the [[Sri Lanka Signals Corps|Ceylon Signals Corps]], the [[Auxiliary Territorial Service|Auxiliary Territorial Service (Ceylon)]] and also the [[Colombo Town Guard]], 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.<ref name='SLALIR1'>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.lk/lightinfan.php |title=History of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment, Sri Lanka Army |accessdate=2006-02-04 |format= |work=Sri Lanka Army |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060708103051/http://www.army.lk/lightinfan.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2006-07-08}}</ref>

===Post-independence===
[[Image:SLA-50.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Brigadier]] [[James Roderick Sinclair, 19th Earl of Caithness|James Sinclair]], [[Earl of Caithness]] inspecting a guard of honour wearing [[khaki drill]].]]
At the end of [[දෙවන ලෝක යුද්ධය]], CDF which had increased in size during the war began demobilization.In 1948 Sri Lanka gained independence from Britain, becoming a Dominion within the [[commonwealth]] and a year earlier Ceylon entered into the bi-lateral Anglo-Ceylonese Defence Agreement of 1947. This followed by the Army Act No. 17 of 1949 which was passed by [[Parliament of Sri Lanka|Parliament]] on April 11, 1949 and formalized in Gazette Extraordinary No. 10028 of October 10, 1949 marked the creation of the Ceylon Army, consisting of a regular and a volunteer force, the later being the successor of the disbanded CDF.<ref name='SLA ES1'>{{cite web |url=http://army.lk/org.php |title= Establishment, Sri Lanka Army |accessdate=2006-02-04 |format= |work=Sri Lanka Army |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060326024640/http://www.army.lk/org.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2006-03-26}}</ref><ref name='SLA form'>[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/051009/plus/1.html Sergei de Silva-Ranasinghe looks back at the early days of the Sri Lanka Army]</ref> Therefor October 10, 1949 is considered the Ceylon Army was raised, and October 10 is celebrated annually as Army day. The Defence Agreement of 1947 provided the assurance that British would come to the aid of Ceylon in the event it was attacked by a foreign power and provided  British military advises to build the country's military. [[Brigadier]] [[James Roderick Sinclair, 19th Earl of Caithness|James Sinclair]], [[Earl of Caithness]] was appointed as [[general officer commanding]] Ceylon Army, as such becoming the first commander of the Ceylon Army.

The initial requirement was to raise an artillery regiment, an engineer squadron, an infantry battalion, a medical unit, and a service corps company. For much of the 1950s the army was preoccupied with the task of building itself and training existing and new personal. To this aim the British Army Training Team (BATT) advisory group carried out training for ex-members of the CDF within the Ceylon Army, senior officers were sent to the British Army [[Staff College, Camberley]] and some attached to units of the [[British Army of the Rhine]] to gain field experience. New officers were sent for training at [[Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst]] which continued until the 1960s and both officers and other ranks were sent to specialist training courses in Britain, India, Pakistan and Malaya. There were no formations and all units were structured to directly function under the Army Headquarters. However temporary field headquarters were to be formed at the time requirement arose.<ref name='SLA form'/>

Due to a lack of any major external threats the growth of the army was slow, and the primary duties of the army quickly moved towards internal security by the mid 50's, the same time as the first Ceylonese Commander [[Major General]] [[Anton Muttukumaru]] took command of the army. The first internal security operation of the Ceylon Army began in 1952, code named ''Operation Monty'' to counter the influx of illegal South Indian immigrants brought in by smugglers on the north-western cost, in support of [[Royal Ceylon Navy]] coastal patrols and police operations. This was expanded and renamed as Task Force Anti-Illicit Immigration (TaFII) in 1963 and continued up to 1981 when it was disbanded. The Army was mobilized to help the police to restore peace under provincial emergency regulations during the [[Hartal 1953|1953 hartal]], the 1956 Gal Oya Valley riots and in 1958 it was deployed for the first time under emergency regulations throughout the island during the [[Sri Lankan riots of 1958|1958 Riots]].<ref name='SLA form2'>[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/051016/plus/4.html An evolving army and its role through time, Sergei de Silva- Ranasinghe’s article on the early days of the Sri Lanka Army]</ref>

During the 1950s and 1960s the army was called apron to carry to essential services when the workers went on strike which were organized by the left wing parties and trade unions for various reasons, the most notable was the 1961 Colombo Port strike, during which ships threatened to bypass Colombo port and the country almost staved. To counter these common strikes several units were formed, who were employed in development work when there were no strikes.<ref name='SLA form2'/>

In 1962 several volunteer officers [[Attempted military coup in Ceylon, 1962|attempted a military coup]], which was stopped hours before it was launched. This attempted coup effect the military to a great extent, since the government mistrusted the military, it reduced the size and growth of the army, especially the volunteer force, with several units being disbanded. In May 1972, when Ceylon was  proclaimed a republic and changed its name to from the Dominion of Ceylon to the Republic of Sri Lanka, all Army units were renamed accordingly.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/19991010/aponline085414_000.htm|title=Sri Lanka Army Marks 50 Years|publisher=Washingtonpost, AP News|date=October 10, 1999}}</ref>

===1970–Present===
After successfully defeating the [[1971 JVP Insurrection (Sri Lanka)|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 [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]] 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 following 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 Army has been involved in the heavy fighting that has resumed in the north and east of the country.
{{මූලික|Sri Lankan Civil War}}
Since 1980 the army has undertaken many operations against the LTTE rebels. The major operations conducted by the army eventually led to the recapture of [[Jaffna]] and other rebel strongholds. In May 2009, the Tamil Tigers officially gave up their armed struggle for [[Tamil Ilam]] as a result of nonstop military offensives conducted by Sri Lanka army. In 19 May 2009 Sri Lankan army declare the victory of war as they found the dead body of LTTE leader [[Velupillai Prabhakaran]] and with that marked the end of an era in Sri Lankan combat.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0517/p90s01-wosc.html Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers admit defeat] Christian Science Monitor - May 17, 2009</ref>

;ප්‍රධාන ක්‍රියාන්විත මෙහෙයුම්
{| border="0"
| valign="top" |

* [[1971 JVP Insurrection (Sri Lanka)|1971 JVP Insurrection]] (1971–1972)
* [[ඊලාම් යුද්ධය I]] (1976–1987)
** වඩමාරච්චි මෙහෙයුම
* [[1987-89 JVP Insurrection (Sri Lanka)|JVP Uprising]] (1987–1990)
* [[ඊලාම් යුද්ධය II]] (1990–1995)
** [[Operation Sea Breeze]]
** [[ත්‍රිවිධ බලය මෙහෙයුම]]
** [[බලවේගය මෙහෙයුම]] I, II
| valign="top" |

* [[ඊලාම් යුද්ධය III]] (1995–2002)
** [[රිවිරැස මෙහෙයුම]]
** [[ජයසිකුරු මෙහෙයුම]]
** [[රිවිබල මෙහෙයුම]]
** [[රණගොස මෙහෙයුම]]
** [[රිවිකිරණ මෙහෙයුම]]
** [[කිණිහිර මෙහෙයුම]] I, II, III/IV, V/VI, VII, VIII ,IX
** [[අග්නිඛීල  මෙහෙයුම]]
| valign="top" |
* [[ඊලාම් යුද්ධය IV]] (2006–2009)
**[[Eastern Theater of Eelam War IV|Eastern Theater]]
*** [[Battle of Thoppigala|Operations in Thoppigala]]
**[[Northern Theater of Eelam War IV|Northern Theater]]
*** [[Battle of the Forward Defence Lines]]
|}

====සාමසාධක====
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:SLA peacekeepers 1.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Sri Lanka Army peacekeepers prior to deployment with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti]] -->
The Sri Lanka Army has taken part in two [[peacekeeping]] missions with [[United Nations]] over the course of its history. First assignment was in the [[Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville)|Congo]] ([[United Nations Operation in the 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 [[United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti|UN peacekeeping force]] in [[Haiti]].<ref name="lightinf">{{cite web |url=http://www.army.lk/lightinfan.php |title=Sri Lanka Light Infantry UN Peacekeeping Operations |accessdate=2007-03-16 |work=Sri Lanka Army |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070204125105/http://www.army.lk/lightinfan.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-02-04}}</ref> 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. Following 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.<ref name="sdut-3/21/05">{{cite news | url =http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050321/news_1n21world.html| title =2 U.N. peacekeepers killed in Haiti fighting  | work =|publisher = San Diego Union Tribune|date = March 21, 2005}}</ref> After over 6 months of service, the first contingent of the peacekeeping force returned to Sri Lanka on May 17, 2005.<ref
name="lightinf"/> In December 2007, 7th rotation of the Sri Lankan contingent had been deployed with a force of 991 officers and other ranks, many of the those deployed have been awarded the [[United Nations Medal]] for their services.<ref>[http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/04/02/news13.asp Sri Lankan troops in Haiti honoured]</ref>

=====Peacekeeping Sex Scandal=====
In November 2007, 114<ref name="un.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.un.org/apps/news/ticker/tickerstory.asp?NewsID=24514 |title=Haiti: Over 100 Sri Lankan blue helmets repatriated on disciplinary grounds – UN |accessdate=2007-11-04 |date=2007-11-02 |work=United Nations }}</ref> members of the 950 member Sri Lankan Army peacekeeping mission in Haiti, were accused of sexual misconduct and abuse.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2007/dec/15/world/fg-haitisex15 |title=U.N. confronts another sex scandal |accessdate=2008-11-07 |date=2007-12-15 |journal=Los Angeles Times |first=Carol J. |last= Williams}}</ref><ref name='BBC2'>{{cite news | title=Sri Lanka to probe UN sex claims | date=2007-11-03 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7076284.stm | work =BBC | accessdate = 2007-11-05 }}</ref> 108 members, including 3 officers of the 950-member-strong Sri Lanka peacekeeping contingent is being sent back after being implicated in alleged misconduct and sexual abuse.<ref>{{cite news | first=B. Muralidhar | last=Reddy | title= Part of Sri Lankan contingent in Haiti to be sent back | date=2007-11-05 | url =http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/04/stories/2007110457201800.htm | work =The Hindu | accessdate = 2007-11-05 }}</ref> UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said: "The United Nations and the Sri Lankan government deeply regret any sexual exploitation and abuse that has occurred."<ref name='BBC2'/> The Sri Lankan Officials claim that there is little tangible evidence on this case.<ref name="un.org"/> After inquiry into the case the [[United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services|UN Office of Internal Oversight Services]] (OIOS) has concluded ‘acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (against children) were frequent and occurred usually at night, and at virtually every location where the contingent personnel were deployed.’ The OIOS is assisting in the pending legal proceedings initiated by the Sri Lankan Government and has said charges should include rape "because it involves children under 18 years of age".<ref name='UN3'>{{cite web|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080330/News/news0015.html |title=UN confirms sex charges |accessdate=2008-03-30 |date=2008-03-30 |work=Sundaytimes }}</ref>

==Current deployments==
As of present, the bulk of the Sri Lankan Army is deployed for domestic defensive and combat operations, while a sizable foreign deployment is maintained.

===Domestic===
Due to the [[Sri Lankan Civil War]] the army has been on a constant mobilized (including [[reservist]]) state since the 1980s (except for a brief period from 2002–2005). The majority of the army as been deployed in the North and Eastern provinces of the country, which includes 13 [[Division (military)|Divisions]] coming under three operational headquarters. The army is also based in other parts of the island for internal security including a Division for the defense of the capital.

===Foreign===
The Sri Lanka Army currently participates in several major overseas deployments:
*[[Haiti]] - a [[battalion]] strength unit with support personal totaling around 1000 personal in [[Haiti]] as part of the [[United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti]] since 2004.<ref>[http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/missions/minustah/facts.html Haiti - MINUSTAH - Facts and Figures]</ref>
*[[Chad]] - a contingent of Sri Lanka Engineers joined the [[United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad]] on May 25, 2010.<ref>http://www.army.lk/detailed.php?NewsId=2195</ref><ref>http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/index.php/news/front-page-news/11435-army-contingent-to-chad-under-un-flag.html</ref>
*[[Lebanon]] - a [[company]] strength unit in the [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon]] since November 2010.<ref>[http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=11739 Lankan troops for Lebanon UN peace keeping mission]</ref>

==Organization Structure==
The professional head of the army is the [[Commander of the Army (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Army]], at present [[Lieutenant General]] [[Jagath Jayasuriya]]. He is assisted by the [[Chief of Staff]] of the Army, currently [[Major General]] Daya Ratnayaka The Commandant of the Volunteer Force is head of the [[Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force|Army Volunteer Force]] and is responsible for the administration and recruitment of all reserve units and personal. The [[Army Headquarters]], situated in [[Colombo]] is the main administrative and the operational [[headquarters]] of the Sri Lanka Army.

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.<ref name="PC"/> By 2007, the Army had expanded to over 120,000 personnel.<ref name="USSD"/> In June 2009, Sri Lanka announced plans to create a "Tamil regiment" to promote integration in the army<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8124836.stm 'Tamil unit' for Sri Lanka's army] BBC - June 29, 2009</ref>

===Administrative===
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#Sri Lanka|Adjutant General]]'s (AGs) branch responsible for personal administration, welfare, medical services and rehabilitation. The [[Quartermaster general#Sri Lanka|Quarter Master General]]'s (QMGs) branch is responsible for feeding, transport, movement and construction and maintenance. The [[Master-General of the Ordnance (Sri Lanka)|Master General of Ordnance]]'s (MGOs) branch is responsible for procurement and maintenance of vehicles and special equipment.<ref name="IPCS">{{cite web |url=http://www.ipcs.org/Military_militaryBalance2.jsp?database=1002&country2=Sri%20Lanka |title=Military Balance, Sri Lanka |accessdate=2007-03-14 |format= |work=Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20061002155351/http://www.ipcs.org/Military_militaryBalance2.jsp?database=1002&country2=Sri+Lanka <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2006-10-02}}</ref> The [[Military Secretary (Sri Lanka)|Military Secretary]]'s Branch is responsible for handling all matters pertaining to officers such as [[Promotion (rank)|promotions]], postings and [[discipline]]. 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. Under each Branch, there are several Directorates, each headed by a [[Brigadier]].<ref name="IPCS"/>

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 [[Military operation|operations]] and administration in a [[brigade]].<ref name="IPCS"/>

Like the [[Indian Army]], the Sri Lanka Army has largely retained the [[United Kingdom|British]]-style regimental system that it inherited upon independence. The individual [[regiment]]s (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 an [[armoured warfare|armoured]] regiment, five [[reconnaissance]] regiments, three [[mechanized infantry]] regiments, five field [[artillery]] regiments, a [[rocket artillery]] regiment, three commando regiments , three special forces regiments, six [[Combat engineering|field engineering]] regiments, five [[Signals (military)|signals]] battalions, a [[Battlefield medicine|medical corps]], and a variety of logistics units.<ref name="PC">{{cite web |url=http://www.photius.com/countries/sri_lanka/national_security/sri_lanka_national_security_the_army.html |title=Sri Lanka, The Army |accessdate=2007-03-14 |work=Photius Coutsoukis }}</ref>

====රෙජිමේන්තු සහ බලකායන්====
{{මූලික|List of current Sri Lanka Army regiments and corps}}<ref name="SLA ES1"/>
<!--  Commented out: [[Image:SLAC pic1.jpg|250px||right|thumb|Sri Lanka Armoured Corps units in a combat operation.]] -->
{| class="wikitable"
!නම !! රෙජිමේන්තු මූලස්ථානය !! ඒකක
|-
|[[Image:SLAC-1-.png|25px]] '''[[ශ්‍රී ලංකා සන්නාහ සන්නද්ධ බලකාය|සන්නාහ සන්නද්ධ බලකාය]]'''
|[[රොක් හවුස් හමුදා කඳවුර]], [[කොළඹ]]
|නිත්‍ය ඒකක 06 ක් සහ ස්වේච්ඡා ඒකක 01 ක්.
|-
| '''[[ශ්‍රී ලංකා කාලතුවක්කු හමුදාව|කාලතුවක්කු හමුදාව]]'''
|[[යුද හමුදා ජනපදය]], [[පනාගොඩ]]
|නිත්‍ය ඒකක 07 ක් සහ ස්වේච්ඡා ඒකක 02 ක්.
|-
|[[Image:SLE.png|25px]] '''[[ශ්‍රී ලංකා ඉංජිනේරු බලකාය|ඉංජිනේරු බලකාය]]'''
|[[යුද්ධ හමුදා මූලස්ථානය (ශ්‍රී ලංකාව)|යුද්ධ හමුදා මූලස්ථානය]], [[කොළඹ]]
|නිත්‍ය ඒකක 06 ක් සහ ස්වේච්ඡා ඒකක 01 ක්.
|-
|[[Image:SLSC.png|25px]] '''[[ශ්‍රී ලංකා සංඥා බලකාය|සංඥා බලකාය]]'''
|[[යුද හමුදා ජනපදය]], [[පනාගොඩ]]
|නිත්‍ය ඒකක 09 ක් සහ ස්වේච්ඡා ඒකක 01 ක්.
|-
|[[Image:SLLI Crest.gif|25px]] '''[[Sri Lanka Light Infantry|පාබල හමුදාව]]'''
|[[යුද හමුදා ජනපදය]], [[පනාගොඩ]]
|Ten regular battalions, five volunteer battalions.
|-
|[[Image:SLSR.png|25px]] '''[[Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment|Sinha Regiment]]'''
|[[Ambepussa Camp]], [[Ambepussa]]
|Seven regular battalions, five volunteer battalions and a head quarter battalion.
|-
|[[Image:GW.png|25px]] '''[[Gemunu Watch]]'''
|[[Kuruwitha Army camp]], [[Ratnapura]]
|Nine regular units, four volunteer units.
|-
|[[Image:GR.png|25px]] '''[[Gajaba Regiment]]'''
|[[Saliyapura Camp]], [[අනුරාධපුරය]]
|Twelve regular battalions and five volunteer battalions.
|-
|[[Image:VIR.png|25px]] '''[[Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment]]'''
|[[Boyagane Camp]], [[Kurunegala]]
|Eight regular battalions and four volunteer battalions.
|-
| '''[[Mechanized Infantry Regiment]]'''
|N/A
|Three regular battalions.
|-
|<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:President's Guard - Sri Lanka Army.jpg|25px]]  -->'''[[President's Guard]]'''
|N/A
|N/A
|-
| '''[[Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment|Commando Regiment]]'''
|[[Ganemulla]], [[Gampaha District|Gampaha]]
|Four regular regiments.
|-
| '''[[Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment|Special Forces Regiment]]'''
|[[Seeduwa]], [[Gampaha District|Gampaha]]
|Three regular regiments.
|-
| '''[[Military Intelligence Corps (Sri Lanka)|Military Intelligence Corps]]'''
|[[Colombo]]
|Two regular battalions.
|-
|[[Image:ESR.png|25px]] '''[[Engineer Services Regiment]]'''
|[[Panagoda Cantonment]], [[Panagoda]]
|Three regular regiments and a volunteer regiment.
|-
|[[Image:SLASC.png|25px]] '''[[Sri Lanka Army Service Corps|Service Corps]]'''
|[[Panagoda Cantonment]], [[Panagoda]]
|Four regular units and one volunteer unit.
|-
|[[Image:SLAMC.png|25px]] '''[[Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps|Medical Corps]]'''
|[[Colombo]]
|Two regular units and one volunteer unit.
|-
|[[Image:SLAOC.png|25px]] '''[[Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps|Ordnance Corps]]'''
|[[Panagoda Cantonment]], [[Panagoda]]
|Three regular ordnance battalions and one volunteer ordnance battalion.
|-
| '''[[Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers|Electrical and Mechanical Engineers]]'''
|[[Slave Island]], [[Colombo]]
|Three regular regiments and one volunteer regiment.
|-
|[[Image:SLCMP.png|25px]] '''[[Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police|Corps of Military Police]]'''
|[[Polhengoda]], [[Colombo]]
|Three regular regiments.
|-
|[[Image:SLAGSC.png|25px]] '''[[Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps|General Service Corps]]'''
|[[Panagoda Cantonment]], [[Panagoda]]
|One regular unit and a volunteer unit.
|-
| '''[[Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps|Women's Corps]]'''
|[[Army Headquarters (Sri Lanka)|Army Headquarters]], [[Colombo]]
|One regular unit and 4 volunteers unit.
|-
|[[Image:SLARC.png|25px]] '''[[Sri Lanka Rifle Corps|Rifle Corps]]'''
|[[Army Headquarters (Sri Lanka)|Army Headquarters]], [[Colombo]]
|Two volunteer battalions.
|-
|[[Image:SLAPC.png|25px]] '''[[Sri Lanka Army Pioneer Corps|Pioneer Corps]]'''
|N/A
|One volunteer unit.
|-
| '''[[Sri Lanka National Guard|National Guard]]'''
|[[Kurunegala]]
|32 volunteer battalions.
|}

===Operational Command===
Organized and controlled by the Army General Staff at Army HQ, various formations are raised from time to time to suit various security requirements and operation in the country and overs seas. The Army at present has deployed 12 [[Division (military)|Divisions]], 7 [[task force]]s and several independent [[brigade]]s. Except for the [[11 Division (Sri Lanka)|11 Division]] based at the [[Panagoda Cantonment]] which is responsible for the maintenance of capability for the defence of the capital, all other divisions, task forces and brigades are deployed for operations in the [[Northern Province, Sri Lanka|Northern]] and [[Eastern Province, Sri Lanka|Eastern]] provinces of Sri Lanka, coming under six regional [[Command (military formation)|commands]] known as ''Security Forces Headquarters'', which are the Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna ([[Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna|SFHQ-J]]), Wanni ([[Security Forces Headquarters - Wanni|SFHQ-W]]), East ([[Security Forces Headquarters - East|SFHQ-E]]), Kilinochchi ([[Security Forces Headquarters - Kilinochchi|SFHQ-KLN]]), Mullaittivu ([[Security Forces Headquarters - Mullaittivu|SFHQ-MLT]])  & South ([[Security Forces Headquarters - South|SFHQ-S]])

Each SFHQ and most divisions are commanded by a [[General Officer Commanding]] in the rank of [[Major General]]. A SFHQ has several divisions under its command and each division is further divided into [[brigade]]s. Each brigade is commanded by an officer in the rank of [[Brigadier]] and has a number of [[Infantry]] [[battalions]], support arms ([[Artillery]], [[Military engineer|Engineers]] and [[Signals (military)|Signals]]) and support services (Service Corps, Engineering Services, Ordnance Corps, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) under assigned to it. There are also several independent brigade ([[Air Mobile Brigade (Sri Lanka)|Air Mobile Brigade]], Armored Brigade, etc.)

In other parts of the country, there are Area and Sub-Area Headquarters. [[Armored vehicle|Armour]], [[Artillery]], [[Combat engineering|Engineers]] and [[Military communications|Signals]] Units are grouped under Brigade Headquarters of their own arm; Armored Brigade, Artillery Brigade and so on.

====Force formations====
{{මූලික|List of current Sri Lanka Army formations}}
<ref name="div">[http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/06/01/sec02.asp Two Security Forces Headquarters established in Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi ]</ref>
;[[Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna]] (SFHQ-J)
*[[51 Division (Sri Lanka)|51 Division]], based in [[Jaffna]]
*[[52 Division (Sri Lanka)|52 Division]], based in the [[Jaffna Peninsula]]
*[[55 Division (Sri Lanka)|55 Division]], based in [[Elephant Pass Military Base]], [[Jaffna Peninsula]] <ref name="div"/>

;[[Security Forces Headquarters - Wanni]] (SFHQ-W)  <ref name="div"/>
*[[56 Division (Sri Lanka)|56 Division]], operating in the [[Vavuniya District]]
*[[61 Division (Sri Lanka)|61 Division]], operating in the [[Vavuniya District]]
*[[21 Division (Sri Lanka)|21 Division]]
*Area Headquarters Mannar, [[Mannar, Sri Lanka|Mannar]]

;[[Security Forces Headquarters - East]] (SFHQ-E)
*[[22 Division (Sri Lanka)|22 Division]], based in [[Trincomalee]]<ref name="Div4">[http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/07/14/spo10.asp Security Forces on a realistic path to achieve the set target, Dailynews]</ref>
*[[23 Division (Sri Lanka)|23 Division]], based in Poonani, [[Batticaloa District]] <ref>[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/081123/Columns/sitreport.html Bitter battles, heavy toll, Tiger strongholds under siege]</ref>

;[[Security Forces Headquarters - Kilinochchi]] (SFHQ-KLN)<ref name="div"/><ref>[http://www.army.lk/detailed.php?NewsId=697 Two New SF Headquarters Become Operational]</ref>
*[[57 Division (Sri Lanka)|57 Division]], operating in the [[Kilinochchi District]]
*Task Force 3, operating in the [[Kilinochchi District]]
*Task Force 5, operating in the [[Kilinochchi District]]
*66 Division, operating in the [[Kilinochchi District]]
*68 Division, operating in the [[Kilinochchi District]]

;[[Security Forces Headquarters - Mullaittivu]] (SFHQ-MLT) <ref name="div"/>
*[[59 Division (Sri Lanka)|59 Division]], operating in the [[Mullaittivu District]]
*Task Force 2, operating in the [[Mullaittivu District]]
*64 Division, operating in the [[Mullaittivu District]]

;[[Security Forces Headquarters - South]] (SFHQ-S)<ref>[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090927/News/news_22.html New name for JOH ]</ref><ref>[http://www.army.lk/detailed.php?NewsId=1287 Sixth Security Forces Headquarters to Take Charge of Security in South]</ref>
*[[11 Division (Sri Lanka)|11 Division]], based at the [[Panagoda Cantonment]], [[Western Province, Sri Lanka|Western Province]]
*Operation Command Colombo, [[Colombo]]
*Area Headquarters Kandy, [[Kandy]]
*Area Headquarters Hambantota, [[Hambantota]]
*Area Headquarters Galle, [[Galle]]
*Area Headquarters Diyatalawa, [[Diyatalawa]]
*Sub Area Headquarters Ratnapura, [[Ratnapura]]
*Sub Area Headquarters Kurunegala, [[Kurunegala]]

;Independent Divisions
*[[53 Division (Sri Lanka)|53 Division]], based at [[Mankulam]] <ref name="div"/>
*[[58 Division (Sri Lanka)|58 Division]], based at [[Paranthan]] (formally referred to as the Task Force 1) <ref name="div"/>

;Independent Brigades
*[[Air Mobile Brigade (Sri Lanka)|Air Mobile Brigade]]
*[[Mechanized Infantry Brigade (Sri Lanka)|Mechanized Infantry Brigade]]
*Armored Brigade
*Special Forces Brigade
*Commando Brigade
*Artillery Brigade
*Engineer Brigade
*Signals Brigade

;Disbanded
*[[54 Division (Sri Lanka)|54 Division]], based at [[Elephant Pass]]<ref>[http://www.army.lk/morenewsfet.php?id=5272 Eelam War IV: Tigers Face Defeat]</ref>
*[[2 Division (Sri Lanka)|2 Division]]
*[[3 Division (Sri Lanka)|3 Division]]

==Training==
'''[[General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University]]''' (KDU) formed in 1981 and situated in Ratmalana, fourteen kilometers south of [[Colombo]], is Sri Lanka's only university specializing in defense studies. Each year, approximately fifty cadets from all three services are admitted to the university (aged 18–22) to participate in a three-year program of academic work and basic training.<ref name="PC"/><ref name="IPCS"/>

Junior [[field officer]]s of the army and their counterparts of the Navy and Air Force are given advanced training and education at the '''[[Defence Services Command and Staff College]]''' (DSCSC) at Batalanda, Makola which was established in 1997 as the ''Army Command and Staff College''.

Basic officer training is carried out at the '''[[Sri Lanka Military Academy]]''' (SLMA) (formally the '''Army Training Center''') situated in [[Diyatalawa]], in the [[Badulla District]]. The officer cadets graduating from the academy are commissioned as officers in the regular and volunteer forces. The course for officer [[cadet]]s runs for ninety weeks and includes training in tactics and administration which 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 [[physical training|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 ten years of service for regular army officers and five years of service for volunteer officers.

Training for the new recruits are carried out by the '''[[Army Training School]]''' in Maduru Oya at several locations followed by additional training (both officers and other ranks) at the '''[[Infantry Training Centre (Sri Lanka Army)|Infantry Training Centre]]''' in Minneriya, the '''Combat Training School''' in Ampara,  while [[non-commissioned officer]]s receive training at the '''Non-commissioned Officers Training School''' at Kala Oya. All these establishments come under the control of the Directorate of Training, Army Headquarters. Specialist and additional training is given by specialist training schools, regimental training centers and individual field units.<ref name="PC"/><ref name="IPCS"/>

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]], [[ඕස්ට්‍රේලියාව]], [[Malaysia]], and the [[United States]]. Additionally, in an agreement reached in 1984, [[Israel]]i security personnel (reportedly from [[Shin Bet]], the Israeli [[counterespionage]] and internal security organization) trained army officers in [[counterinsurgency]] techniques.<ref name="PC"/>

The Sri Lankan Army has also provided special training to the [[United States Army]] on their request as well as many other countries in military education regarding civilian rescue, jungle combat, and guerilla warfare etc.<ref name="colombopage.com"/>
{{col-begin}}

===Training establishments===
{{col-2}}
'''Training Centers'''<ref name='army-train'>{{cite web |url=http://army.lk/train.php |title= Training, Sri Lanka Army |accessdate=2006-02-04 |format= |work=Sri Lanka Army |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060410062148/http://www.army.lk/train.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2006-04-10}}</ref>
# [[Sri Lanka Military Academy]] (SLMA)
# [[Army Training School]] (ATS)
# [[Infantry Training Centre (Sri Lanka Army)|Infantry Training Centre]] (ITC)
# Combat Training School (CTS)
# Army Physical Education Centre (APEC)
# Volunteer Force Training School (VFTS)
# Marksman Sniper Training School (MSTS)
# Non-Commission Officer Training School (NCOTS)
# Language Training School (LTS)
# Institute of Peacekeeping Support Operations Training Sri Lanka (IPSOT-SL)

{{col-2}}
'''Regimental Training Centers'''<ref name='army-train'/>
# Armoured Cops Training Centre
# School Of Artillery
# Sri Lanka School of Military Engineering
# School Of Mechanical Engineers
# School Of Signals
# Commando Regiment Training School
# Engineer Service School
# Sri Lanka Army Service Corps. School
# Sri Lanka Army Military School Of Nursing
# Sri Lanka Army Ordnance School
# Sri Lanka Electrical And Mechnaical Engineers School
# Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police School
# SriLanka Army General Service Corps. School
{{col-end}}

==Personnel==
The Sri Lanka Army presently stands at 200,000 strong<ref>http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2010/07/25/sec04.asp</ref> including 2,960 women plus an additional 10,000 personal in reserve.<ref name='sec-ecpa'>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Sri-Lanka-ARMED-FORCES.html |title=Sri Lanka |accessdate=2007-02-04 |work=Nations Encyclopedia }}</ref>

===Parama Weera Vibhushanaya recipients===
* [[Colonel]] [[A.F. Lafir]] {{KIA}}
* [[Major]] G. S. Jayanath {{KIA}}
* [[Captain (land and air)|Captain]] [[Saliya Upul Aladeniya]]{{KIA}}
* [[Second Lieutenant]] [[K.W.T. Nissanka]] {{KIA}}
* [[Warrant Officer|Warrant Officer 2nd Class]] [[Pasan Gunasekera]]{{KIA}}
* [[Corporal]] [[Gamini Kularatne]]{{KIA}}
* [[Lance Corporal]] [[W. I. M. Seneviratne]] {{KIA}}

===Notable fallen members===
* [[Lt. General]] [[Denzil Kobbekaduwa]]{{KIA}} - One of the greatest generals in modern Sri Lanka and Overall Operations Commander, [[Northern Province, Sri Lanka|Northern Sector]].<ref name='Daily News1'>{{cite news | first=Ramani | last=Kanagaraarachchi | title=Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice | date=2007-01-20 | publisher=Associated Newspapers of Ceylon | url =http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/01/20/spice01.asp | work =Daily News | accessdate = 2007-05-25 }}</ref>
* Lt. General [[Parami Kulatunga]]{{KIA}} - Former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army.<ref name='Daily News1'/>
* Lt. General Nalin Angammana{{KIA}} - Former [[General Officer Commanding|GOC]] 3 Division.<ref name='Spice'>[http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/01/20/spice01.asp Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice]</ref>
* [[Maj. General]] [[Vijaya Wimalaratne]]{{KIA}} - Jaffna Brigade Commander & One of the greatest generals in modern Sri Lanka.<ref name='Daily News1'/>
* Maj. General [[Percy Fernando]]{{KIA}} - Former deputy [[General Officer Commanding|GOC]] 54 Division.<ref name='Spice'/>
* Maj. General [[Larry Wijeratne]]{{KIA}} - Former brigade commander, 51-4 Brigade.<ref name='Spice'/>
* Maj. General Lakshman 'Lucky' Wijayaratne {{KIA}} - Former brigade commander, 22 Brigade.<ref name='Spice'/>
* Maj. General Susantha Mendis{{KIA}} - Former brigade commander, 51-2 Brigade.<ref name='Spice'/>
* Maj. General Ananda Hamangoda{{KIA}} - Former brigade commander, 51-2 Brigade.<ref>{{cite news | first=Brigadier Daya | last=Ratnayake | title=Noble in death as in life | date=2005-07-30 | publisher=Wijeya Newspapers Ltd | url =http://sundaytimes.lk/050703/plus/appreciation.html | work =The Sunday Times | accessdate = 2007-08-18 }}</ref>
* [[Brigadier]] [[Bhathiya Jayatilleka]] {{KIA}} - former Brigade commander, 54-1 brigade
* [[Colonel]] [[Tuan Nizam Muthaliff]] - Former commanding officer 1st Battalion Military Intelligence Corps.<ref>{{cite news | first=Senaka | last=De Silva | title=Senior Army officer shot dead | date=2005-06-01 | publisher=Wijeya Newspapers Ltd | url =http://www.dailymirror.lk/2005/06/01/front/1.asp | work =Daily Mirror | accessdate = 2007-06-03 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070930224634/http://www.dailymirror.lk/2005/06/01/front/1.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-09-30}}</ref>

===Women in the Sri Lanka Army===
{{මූලික|Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps}}
The [[Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps]] (SLAWC) was formed on September 1, 1979 as an unarmed, [[noncombatant]] [[Combat service support|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 Certificate of Secondary Education|General Common Entrance (Ordinary level)]] examinations, while the Officer candidates must have passed the [[Advanced Level (UK)|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]], [[communication]]s, and [[Cleric|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.<ref name='whistory'>{{cite web |url=http://womenshistory.about.com/library/ency/blwh_sri_lanka_women_military.htm |title=Sri Lankan Army Women's Corps |accessdate=2007-02-04 |work=About, Inc }}</ref>

Up to now, women officers have proved their ability and serve in varied specialized fields in the Service as [[Control tower|control tower operators]], [[Electronic warfare|electronic warfare technicians]], radio material teletypists, [[Auto mechanic|automotive mechanics]], [[Assault Support|aviation supply personnel]], [[cryptographers]], [[physician|doctors]], [[combat medic]], [[lawyers]], [[Combat engineering|engineers]] and even [[Aerial photography|aerial photographers]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2006/10/08/zin01.asp |title=An officer and a lady: You've come a long way, lass. |accessdate=2006-10-08 |format= |work=Sunday Observer }}</ref>

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 Province, Sri Lanka|northern]] and [[Eastern Province, Sri Lanka|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 and as of 2007 there were three female officers of the rank of [[Major General]]. 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 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070128135530/http://www.army.lk/regiment_regular_19.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-01-28}}</ref>

===Complaints over survivors’ benefits{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}===
The Organisation for Disabled Soldiers has complained that compensation paid for war victims is inadequate.  In August 2007, a spokesman for the organisation pointed out that the compensation paid to the families of soldiers killed during the war has remained flat for 23 years at Rs. 150,000, which has dwindled in value to the equivalent of [[United States dollar|US$]]1500.  This amount is the same for all ranks, including generals.  In contrast, however, the families of politicians are much more highly compensated; the family of the late Minister Mr. M. H. M. Ashroff was awarded Rs. 5 million (US$50,000) following his death in a helicopter crash.

==Equipment==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:SLAC 0101.jpg|170px||right|thumb|A [[T-55#Modernization|T-55AM2]] [[Main battle tank]] of the [[Sri Lanka Armoured Corps|SLAC]]]]  -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:SLAC 0102.jpg|170px||right|thumb|A [[BMP-2]] [[Infantry fighting vehicle]] of the [[Sri Lanka Armoured Corps|SLAC]] ]]  -->

After the 1971 uprising, the army expanded its range of weapons from the original stock of [[දෙවන ලෝක යුද්ධය]]-era [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Lee Enfield rifle]]s, [[Sten|Sten Submachine guns]], [[Vickers machine gun]]s, [[Bren gun|Bren machine guns]], [[BL 6 inch Gun Mk 7|6-inch coastal guns]], [[Daimler Armoured Car]]s, [[Universal Carrier|Bren Gun Carriers]],<ref name="SLAC1">Michael K. Cecil - Sri Lanka’s Military:
The Search For A Mission, [http://www.bdblodgett.com/srilanka.pdf].</ref> [[Bofors 40 mm gun|40 mm anti-aircraft guns]], [[QF 3.7 inch AA gun|3.7 inch heavy anti-aircraft guns]] and 4.2-inch heavy [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]]. New sources of weaponry in the mid-to-late 1970s included the [[Soviet Union]], [[Yugoslavia]], and [[Peoples Republic of China|China]] - countries with which the leftist [[සිරිමාවෝ බණ්ඩාරනායක|බණ්ඩාරනායක]] government had close ties. China continued to be an important source of arms well into the 1990s.<ref name="PC"/>

To meet the threat posed by predominantly the LTTE, Army purchased modern military hardware including 50-caliber [[heavy machine gun]]s, [[rocket-propelled grenade]] (RPG) launchers, [[Night Vision Device]]s, [[M40 recoilless rifle|106 mm recoilless rifles]], 60&nbsp;mm and 81&nbsp;mm [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]]s, 40&nbsp;mm [[grenade launcher]]s and some [[sniper rifle]]s. Refurbished [[armored personnel carrier]]s 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 armoured car|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 pounder]]s.<ref name="PC"/><ref name="SLABOOK2">{{cite book |last=Army |first=Sri Lanka |title=Sri Lanka Army, ''"50 YEARS ON" - 1949-1999'' |edition=1st Edition |year=1999 |month=October |publisher=Sri Lanka Army |location=Colombo |isbn=978-955-8089-02-6
|chapter=Chapter 1 |page=393 }}</ref> Chinese-made 122&nbsp;mm, 130&nbsp;mm and 152&nbsp;mm howitzers were introduced to the Sri Lankan Army in 1995 and 1998 whilst 122&nbsp;mm Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRL), were first used in 2000 by the Sri Lanka Army.<ref>http://www.army.lk/org2.php</ref>

<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:SLAM.JPG|150px||left|thumb|Personal of the [[Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment|special forces]] combat rider squadron followed by a [[Sri Lanka Armoured Corps|SLAC]] [[BTR-80]].]] -->
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 were deployed with normalcy against government trucks and buses, with a high rate of casualty. These land mines weighed approximately 50 – 100&nbsp;kg, against which no armoured vehicle that the SLA possessed was able to withstand the blast effect. Therefore the [[South Africa]]n made [[Buffel]] was introduced to service in 1985 to reduce damage due to land mines. By 1987 the Army's own [[Unicorn class|Unicorn]] was also developed to a level so that they too matched the capabilities of the Buffels from South Africa, this was followed up by the newer [[Unibuffel]] class.<ref name="JIG">{{cite web |url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2004/04/25/fea22.html |title=SFrom Unicorn to Unibuffel |accessdate=  |date= |year=|month=|publisher=sundayobserver }}</ref> Both the Unicorn and the Unibuffel are assembled by the [[Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers|Sri Lanka Electrical & Mechanical Engineers]].<ref name="PC"/><ref name="SLABOOK2"/>

In recent years, Sri Lanka has become increasingly reliant on China for weapons.<ref name='IANS1'>{{cite news | first=Rahul | last=Bedi | title=Sri Lanka turns to Pakistan, China for military needs | date=2007-06-02 | publisher=Urdustan.com Network | url =http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2007/jun/02/sri_lanka_turns_pakistan_china_military_needs.html | work =IANS | accessdate = 2007-06-02 }}</ref> This is due to most [[European Union|European nations]] and the [[United States]] Governments passing regulations about the selling of weaponry to nations which are suffering from internal conflict.<ref name='slawc-rep'>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalactionpw.org/un/SALW_PoA_RC_%20REPORT.pdf |format=PDF|title=Small Arms and Light Weapons Conference Report |accessdate=2006-07-23 |work=Judith McDaniel }}</ref> 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.<ref name='arms-trade'>{{cite web |url=http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Weapons/Arms_Trade.html |title=No Nonsense guide to The Arms Trade |accessdate=2005-11-19 |work=Gideon Burrows }}</ref> Sri Lanka also continues to receive a variety of weapons from [[United Kingdom|Britain]], [[Pakistan]], [[Israel]] and other former suppliers.<ref name='IANS1'/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/features/20031017naval_surveillance_millstone_LTTE.htm |title=Naval surveillance is the millstone around LTTE's neck |accessdate=2003-10-17 |work=P.K. Balachanddran }}</ref>

===Armour===
{{Standard table|0}}
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Quantity
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Main Battle Tank]]s'''
|----
| [[T-55]]/[[T-55#T-55A|T-55AM2]]<ref name="JIG">{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/press/articles/pc060608_2.shtml |title=Sri Lanka Asks Pakistan For USD60 Million in Defence Assistance |accessdate=2007-03-15  |date= June 8, 2006 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20061017085323/http://www.janes.com/press/articles/pc060608_2.shtml <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2006-10-17}}</ref>
| {{flagcountry|Soviet Union}}
| 140+
|
|----
| [[Type 69]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/type-69.htm |title=Type 69 Main Battle Tank |accessdate=2007-03-15 |date= July 31, 2005 |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org }}</ref>
| {{flagcountry|China}}
| 20+
|
|----
| [[Type 59]]
| {{flagcountry|China}}
| 80+
|----
| [[Al-khalid]]
| {{flagcountry|Pakistan}}
| 20+
  
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Light Tank]]s'''
|----
| [[Type 63 light tank|Type 63]]
| {{flagcountry|China}}
| N/A
| Amphibious
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Infantry fighting vehicle]]s'''
|----
| [[BMP-3]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://acd.iiss.org/armedconflict/Mainpages/dsp_ConflictWeapons.asp?ConflictID=174 |title=Sri Lanka (LTTE) |accessdate=2007-03-15 |date= March 15, 2007 |publisher=International Institute For Strategic Studies }}</ref>
| {{flagcountry|Soviet Union}}
| 45
|
|----
| [[BMP-2]]
| {{flagcountry|Soviet Union}}
| 240
|
|----
| [[BMP-1]]
| {{flagcountry|Soviet Union}}
| 13
|
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Armoured personnel carrier]]s '''
|----
| [[Norinco Type 89 IFV|Norinco Type 89]] (YW534)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sinodefence.com/army/armour/zsd89.asp |title=ZSD89 Armoured Personnel Carrier |accessdate=2007-12-02 |date= |year=2007 |month= |publisher=sinodefence.com }}</ref>
| {{flagcountry|China}}
| N/A
| Tracked
|----
| Type 85 (YW531H)
| {{flagcountry|China}}
| N/A
| Tracked, Amphibious
|----
| [[Type 63 (armoured personnel carrier)|Type 63]] (YW531)<ref>{{cite web |url=//www.nation.lk/2006/10/15/newsfe1.htm |title=Type 63 |publisher=nation.lk }}</ref>
|  {{flagcountry|China}}
|  N/A
| Tracked
|----
| [[BTR-80]]
| {{flagcountry|Soviet Union}}
|  45
| wheeled
|----
| [[WZ551|Type 92]] (WZ551)
|  {{flagcountry|China}}
| 200
| wheeled
|----
| [[BTR-152]]
| {{flagcountry|Soviet Union}}
|  N/A
| wheeled, operational state unknown
|----
| [[Unibuffel]]
| {{flagcountry|Sri Lanka}}
| 53+
| Locally manufactured, Mine-protected APC
|----
| [[Unicorn class|Unicorn]]
| {{flagcountry|Sri Lanka}}
|  60+
| Locally manufactured, Mine-protected APC
|----
| [[Buffel]]
| {{flagcountry|South Africa}}
| N/A
| Mine-protected APC
|----
| [[Land Rover Tangi#The_Hotspur_Hussar|Hotspur Hussar]]<ref name="IPCS"/>
| {{flagcountry|UK}}
| N/A
| wheeled, operational state unknown
|----
| [[Shorland armoured car|Shorland S55]]
| {{flagcountry|UK}}
| N/A
| wheeled, operational state unknown
|----
| [[Land Rover Tangi|Hotspur]]<ref name="IPCS"/>
| {{flagcountry|UK}}
| N/A
| wheeled, operational state unknown
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Reconnaissance vehicle]]s '''
|----
| [[Alvis Saladin]]
| {{flagcountry|UK}}
| N/A
| wheeled
|----
| [[Alvis Saracen]]
| {{flagcountry|UK}}
| N/A
| wheeled, operational state unknown
|----
| [[Daimler Motor Company|Daimler]] [[Ferret armoured car|Ferret]]
| {{flagcountry|UK}}
| N/A
| wheeled, operational state unknown
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Combat engineering vehicle|Engineering Support Vehicles]] '''
|----
| [[T-54/T-55 Operators and variants#Czechoslovakia|VT-55]]<ref name="UN1">{{cite web |url=http://disarmament.un.org/library.nsf/c793d171848bac2b85256d7500700384/c7b9a51a4973f6e585256dc100585789/$FILE/sg58.203.pdf |title=United Nations Register of Conventional Arms |accessdate=2007-03-16 |date= August 21, 2003 |format=PDF |work=United Nations }}</ref>
| {{flagcountry|Soviet Union}}
| 16
| [[Armoured recovery vehicle]]
|----
| [[MT-55A]]<ref>[http://www.saferworld.org.uk/images/pubdocs/Beast%20CzechRep.pdf Saferworld's research project on arms and security in EU Associate Countries, Czech Republic]</ref>
| {{flagcountry|Soviet Union}}
| 8
| [[Armoured vehicle-launched bridge]]
|}

===Artillery===
{{Standard table|0}}
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Quantity
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Multiple rocket launcher|Rocket artillery]]'''
|----
| [[RM-70 Multiple rocket launcher]]<ref name="UN1"/>
| {{flagcountry|Czechoslovakia}}
| 30+
| 122.4&nbsp;mm Multiple rocket launcher
|----
| [[BM-21|BM-21 Multiple rocket launcher]]<ref name="UN1"/>
| {{flagcountry|Soviet Union}}
| 5
| 122.4&nbsp;mm Multiple rocket launcher
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Artillery|Towed artillery]]'''
|----
| [[Type 66 gun-howitzer|Type 66 152 mm gun-howitzer]]
| {{flagcountry|China}}
| 36
| 152&nbsp;mm gun-howitzer
|----
| [[Type 59 field gun|Type 59 130mm field gun]]
| {{flagcountry|China}}
| 12
| 130&nbsp;mm field gun
|----
| [[Type 60 howitzer|Type 60 122mm howitzer]]
| {{flagcountry|China}}
| N/A
| 122&nbsp;mm howitzer
|----
| [[Ordnance QF 25 pounder]]
| {{flagcountry|UK}}
| N/A
| field guns - Ceremonial Gun Troop
|----
| [[Ordnance QF 75 mm]]
| {{flagcountry|UK}}
| N/A
| field guns - Ceremonial Gun Troop
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Mortar (weapon)|Mortars]]'''
|----
| Type 86 (W86)
| {{flagcountry|China}}
| 55
| 120&nbsp;mm towed mortar
|----
| Type 84 (W84)
| {{flagcountry|China}}
| N/A
| 82&nbsp;mm mortar
|----
| Type 89
| {{flagcountry|China}}
| N/A
| 60&nbsp;mm light mortar
|----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Weapon Locating Radar]]'''
|----
| [[AN/TPQ-36|AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder Radar]]
| {{flagcountry|USA}}
| N/A
| Weapon Locating and Counter-battery Radar
|----
| [[SLC-2 Radar]]
| {{flagcountry|China}}
| N/A
| Weapon Locating and Counter-battery Radar
|----
|}

===Infantry weapons===
{{clear}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''Handguns'''
|-
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Beretta]] [[M9 Pistol]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Austria}} [[Glock 17]]
|-
| {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Enfield revolver]]
|-
! '''Assault Rifles'''
|-
| {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} [[AK-47]] Assault rifles
|-
| {{flagicon|Czechoslovakia}} [[Sa 58]] Assault rifles {{Citation needed|reason=No any previous records of this weapon used by SL army |date=September 2009}}
|-
| {{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} [[Type 56]] [[Assault rifles]]<ref name="SAS1">{{cite book  |last = Smith | first = Chris | title = In the Shadow of a Cease-fire: The Impacts of Small Arms Availability and Misuse in Sri Lanka | publisher = Small Arms Survey | month = October | year = 2003  |url = http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/files/sas/publications/o_papers_pdf/2003-op11-sri_lanka.pdf |format=PDF}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} [[Type 81 Assault Rifle|Type 81]] Assault rifles<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sinodefence.com/army/small_arms/type81rifle.asp |title=T 81 Assault Rifle |accessdate=2007-03-14 |work=SinoDefence |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070214094032/http://www.sinodefence.com/army/small_arms/type81rifle.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-02-14}}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|West Germany}} [[Heckler & Koch G3]] Assault rifles<ref>{{cite book |last=International |first=Amnesty |authorlink= |coauthors=International Secretariat, AI Ireland, Omega Foundation |editor= |others= |title=Undermining Global Security: the European Union’s arms exports |url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/files/portal/spotlight/ammunition/ammun_pdf/2004_amnesty_international.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=14 March 2007 |edition=1st Edition |publisher=Amnesty International |location= |isbn=0-86210-356-8 }}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[FN FNC]] Assault rifles (replaced the [[FN FAL]] as far<br /> back as in 1981)
|-
| {{flagicon|United States}} [[M16 rifle|M16]] Assault rifles<ref name="WPOI">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/smallarms.htm |title=Profiling the Small Arms Industry |accessdate=2007-03-15 |coauthors=Frida Berrigan, Michelle Ciarrocca |date= |year=2000 |month=November |work=Arms Trade Resource Center |publisher=World Policy Institute }}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|United States}} [[M4 Carbine]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Singapore}} [[SAR-80]] Assault rifles<ref name="SAS1"/>
|-
| {{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} [[QBZ-95|Type 95]] Assault rifles
|-
! '''Sub-Machine guns'''
|-
| {{flagicon|West Germany}} [[Heckler & Koch MP5|H&K MP5]] [[Submachine Gun]]s<ref name="SAS1"/>
|-
| {{flagicon| Israel}} [[Uzi]] Submachine Guns<ref name="SAS1"/>
|-
| {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Sterling submachine gun]]s<ref name="SAS1"/>
|-
|-
|}
{{col-2}}

{| class="wikitable"
! '''Sniper Rifles'''
|-
| {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[Accuracy International Arctic Warfare|Accuracy International L96A1]] Sniper Rifles<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=34 |title=Accuracy International L96A1 |accessdate=2009-01-20 |date= January 16, 2009 |publisher=www.MilitaryFactory.com }}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|West Germany}} [[Heckler & Koch PSG1]] Sniper Rifles
|-
| {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} [[Dragunov Sniper Rifle|Dragunov]] [[Sniper Rifles]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cpdsindia.org/globalhumansecurity/trans-national.htm |title=Trans-National Crime and Light Weapons Proliferation: Security Implications for the State |accessdate=2007-03-15 |date= August 15, 2002 |work=Tara Kartha |publisher=IDSA |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20061207164518/http://www.cpdsindia.org/globalhumansecurity/trans-national.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2006-12-07}}</ref>
|-
! '''Machine guns'''
|-
| {{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} Type 80 [[General purpose machine gun|GPMG]] (Chinese version of Russian [[PK machine gun|PKM]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vodkakalashnikov.com/biography.htm |title=Biography of Mikhail Kalashnikov |accessdate=2007-03-15 |date= January 14, 2004 |publisher=VRQ International, Inc. }}</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[FN Minimi]] [[General purpose machine gun]]<ref name="SAS1"/>
|-
| {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[FN MAG]] General purpose machine gun<ref name="SAS1"/>
|-
| {{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} Type 56 [[Light machine gun|LMG]] (Chinese version of Russian [[RPD]])<ref name="PC"/>
|-
| {{flagicon|West Germany}} [[Heckler & Koch HK21|HK21]] Belt-fed [[light machine gun]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/obl/reg.burma/archives/199901/msg00057.html |title=If You're Involved in Resolving the |accessdate=2007-03-15 |date= January 5, 1999 |publisher=ibiblio.org }}</ref>
|-
! '''Grenade launchers'''
|-
| {{flagicon|South Africa}} [[Milkor MGL]] Grenade launcher<ref name="SAS1"/>
|-
| {{flagicon|West Germany}} [[HK 69]] Breech-loading [[grenade launcher]]<ref name="SAS1"/>
|-
| {{flagicon|United States}} [[M203 grenade launcher|M203]] Grenade launcher<ref name="SAS1"/>
|-
! '''Rocket launchers'''
|-
| {{flagicon|Russia}} [[RPO-A Shmel (Bumblebee)|RPO-A Shmel]] man-portable [[Shoulder-launched missile weapon|rocket launcher]]
|-
| {{flagicon|China}} [[Type 69 RPG]] rocket launchers ([[China|Chinese]] version of [[RPG-7]])<ref name="PC"/>
|-
! '''Anti-tank missiles'''
|-
| {{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Baktar-Shikan]] [[Anti-tank guided missile]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}

==See also==
*[[Awards and decorations of the military of Sri Lanka]]
*[[Sri Lanka Military Academy]]
*[[Sri Lankan Civil War]]
*[[Rehabilitation Directorat, Sri Lanka Army]]

==Further reading==

* Army, Sri Lanka. (1st Edition - October 1999). ''Sri Lanka army: 50 years on, 1949-1999'' ISBN 978-955-8089-02-6

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Sri Lanka Army}}
* [http://www.army.lk Official website]
* [http://www.defence.lk/ Ministry of Defence Sri Lanka]
* [http://www.kda.lk/ General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy]

{{Military of Sri Lanka}}

[[Category:Military of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Sri Lanka Army]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1949]]