Sri Lanka Artillery marks 122nd anniversary

One of the oldest Regiments in the Army, Sri Lanka Artillery, more popularly known as ‘Gunners’ marked its 122nd anniversary on 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 Chief Guest Army Commander Lt.Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya and Army Seva Vanitha Unit President Manjulika Jayasuriya were welcomed by Colonel Commandant Major General Rambukpotha.

Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA) soldiers accorded a Guard Turn out to the Army Commander.

Lt.Gen. Jayasuriya later unveiled the SLA War Hero monument. Parents, spouses and the next of kin of fallen heroes also paid floral tributes at the monument.

The Army Commander also launched the Sri Lanka Artillery’s first ever website (www.gunner.lk) at the Artillery Officers’ Mes, Panagoda Army Cantonment on the invitation of Colonel Commandent of the Sri Lanka Artillery Maj.Gen. JC. Rambukpotha.

The root of the Sri Lanka Artillery goes back to 1888 when on April 12, 1888 the Ceylon Artillery Volunteers was formed as a gun battery under the command of Capt. C.E.H Seimons of Royal Artillery.

In 1949, with the formation of the Ceylon Army under Army Act No 17 of 1949, the Ceylon Garrison Artillery became Ceylon Artillery.

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 1980s 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.

Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Artillery Major General J C Rambukpotha also spoke.