Commandos - Saga of 30 years

Major General P Chandrawansa (Rtd)

The formation of the Commando Regiment germinated in the backdrop of fast escalating international terrorism with the hijacking of Aircraft and other attendant terrorist activities including kidnapping which was a scourge for the peace loving citizens of the world. This concept was introduced to the Sri Lanka Army by the then Commander of the Army, Lt. General J E D Perera, VSV with the formation of an Advisory Board comprising of three Commissioned Officers and three Senior Non Commissioned Officers, who were delegated the task of formulating the training and instructional modules for a special commando course.

The first course for instructors commenced at Ella Camp, Diyathalawa on February 9, 1978 for six officers and 24 other ranks and completion of the course the trainees were attached to their mother units. This training was broadbased for selected personnel from support and infantry regiments of the Army.

Subsequently, on the special promulgation by the Army Headquarters, the Commando Squadron was established on March 15, 1980 at the Ella Camp, Diyathalawa with Major S D Peiris as the first Officer Commanding. Thereafter, the officers and other ranks of the Regiment were afforded special training under British instructors at the Combat Training School, Ampara, on hijack and kidnapping operations.

Taking into consideration the close proximity to the Commercial centre at Colombo and the International Airport at Katunayake, the Commando Squadron was shifted to Ganemulla Camp on December 4, 1980. The other ranks moved to the only permanent building and the officers were housed at a temporary thatched building till permanent arrangements were completed and in July 1983 the Commando Squadron was elevated to the level of a Regiment and Major S D Pieris took over as the first Commanding Officer. To add muscle to the Regiment the Commando Training School was established at the Ganemulla ‘B’ camp on March 15, 1985 and shifted to Kuda Oya Camp in Uva Province on May 11, 1993 paving the way for the second Commando Regiment established at Ganemulla on March 1, 1993 under the command of Lt. Col. P Chandrawansa.

Regimental Headquarters was established on January 1, 1997 with the Regimental Task Force on March 15, 1997 further strengthening the Commandos with a Head Quarters Regimental Force on March 15, 1999.

Fourth Commando Regiment tasked with special duties was commissioned on March 15, 2003 at Ganemulla. On July 8, 2007 the 3rd Commando Regiment was formed. The present Colonel of the Regiment is Major General Shavendra Silva who played a pivotal role in the Humanitarian Operations which concluded 30 years of terror in the North East and the Brigade Commander is Major General Lalantha Gamage responsible for all operational aspects of the Commandos.

Organisation

Presently the regiment consists of five battalions out of which four battalions are deployed for operational duties. Four Commando Regiment which is deployed in Colombo is dedicated for the AH and HR duties and VIP Protection duties. Planning and conduct of all operations are done by the Commando Brigade. Apart from that Commandos have two training schools, Commando Regiment Training School at Kuda Oya and Commando Regiment Special Warfare Training School at Vidathalathivu. The Commando Regiment is proud and considers it as a great honour that its Training Base the CRTS, trains officers and men both regular and volunteer forces in the Sri Lanka Army other than conducting training for Commandos.

Due to its proficiency, a lot of friendly foreign countries have requested for specialized training particularly on small group level tactics on the valuable jungle war fighting lessons, learnt from the Eelam War during the past 30 years.

The Commandos are empowered with tasks such as Direct Action, Unconventional warfare, Special reconnaissance, Hostage Rescue and Combating Terrorism VIP Protection, K9 Handling, Clandestine Operations and Covert Operations Amphibious Operations, Airborne and Air Assault Operations and Foreign Internal Defence.

Insignias of Commandos

After successful completion of specialized courses Commandos are privileged to wear insignias of the Commandos, Para, Sky Diver, Rigger, Commando service badge, Jumpmaster and Combat Diver depending on their specialization.

The contributions made by the Commandos during the war on terrorism which is as old as the Commando Regiment is praiseworthy. Their activities spread right throughout the country, specially to the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The Commando Regiment has proved its worth being pioneers of the Special Forces in Sri Lanka Army over three decades. Commandos led all the operations against the LTTE in order to eradicate terrorism from the country.

To support all other combatting troops Commandos operated behind the LTTE defence lines conducting effective raids/ambushes thus inflicting heavy attrition on the enemy to reduce their combat effectiveness. These operations immensely facilitated the capture of the ground by other troops. With the commencement for the humanitarian operations which were launched due to the inhuman act of depriving the flow of water at Mavil Aru by the LTTE, the Commandos had been in the forefront of combat duties until the terrorist guns were silenced at Nandikadal Lagoon

Recent operations

For the three decades commandos never had a time to rest. They moved from theatre to theatre wherever it mattered. Their contribution in Vanni and Eastern operations were much immense and always decisive. It is beyond doubt that commandos played a major role for the success on victorious humanitarian operations in North.

The Vanni and East humanitarian operations concluded the three-decade-old conflict with an astonishing victory for the country.

There is no doubt that this campaign will go down in the military history of the world and certainly rewrite the counter insurgency manuals of the future. In this historical campaign the commandos have at all times being at the sharp end of the most decisive battles, proving beyond doubt that ‘Nothing is Impossible.’

In their struggle to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country many commandos, paid the ultimate sacrifice with their life. Forty-three officers and 682 men died in combat. Major General Percy Fernando was the most senior officer to die at Elephant Pass and many Commandos have been decorated for their valour abundantly. The highest award of Parama Weera Vibushana awarded posthumously to Major G S Jayanath who laid down his life in the Jaya Sikuru Operation.

Ex-Commando legion

Those who have left the services after an arduous tour of duties have joined hands to form the Ex-Commando Legion, which was possible due to the pioneering efforts of Lt. Colonel Sunil Peiris, who also had the distinction of being the first officer to lead to Commando Regiment. Major General P Chandrawansa is now at the helm of the affairs as President of the Ex-Commando Legion.

By the very nature of their training and attitude the Commandos continue to be very much active in the civilian streets providing best of manpower and some are leading entrepreneurs in various fields including Industrial Security. Some of them who have come to fore are Major Vijitha Welikala, Major Nissanka Senadhipathy, Captain Sumith Fonseka, Colonel Nalin Fernando and Lt. Col. Janaka Ritigahapola who have chipped in a big way to celebrate the 30th anniversary with a proud trek to the Home of Commandos at Ganemulla by foot starting from the Galle Face Green.