The Sri Lanka Army is the oldest and largest of the three armed services of Sri Lanka. Established as the Royal Ceylon Army in 1949, it was renamed when Sri Lanka became a republic in 1972. The Army of approximately 120,000 regular personnel and including 15,000 National Guardsmen[1] is organized into 22 regiments and is responsible for overseeing land-based military and humanitarian operations.
The Sri Lanka Army is organized under a Joint Operations Command, which was established in 1985, and comprises 11 divisions, one air-mobile brigade, one commando brigade, one special forces brigade, one independent armored brigade, three mechanized infantry brigades and 34 infantry brigades.[2]
As a part of the Military of Sri Lanka, the Commander-in-Chief of the Sri Lanka Army is the President of the country.[3]
History
Ancient and pre-colonial times
The first military engagements in Sri Lankan history were marked with the advent of King Vijaya, a North Indian prince who landed along with his followers on the beaches of northwestern Sri Lanka around 543 BCE. Repeated incursions by South Indians, particularly the Cholas, into Sri Lankan territory occurred throughout the next few centuries and led to the engagement of the rival forces in battle.[4] In one famous encounter, Sinhalese King Dutugemunu (200 BC) raised an army of eleven thousand inhabitants in his battle against, and eventual defeat of King Elara, a Chola invader. King Dutugemunu's organizational skills, bravery and chivalry are famous and his battles have gone down in history as outstanding offensive operations.[5]
Other Sri Lankan rulers whose military achievements stand out include King Gajabahu (113 AD) who sailed to India to bring back his captured soldiers and King Dhatusena (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. Vijayabahu I (1001 AD) was another warrior king who dislodged Indian invaders and united the country. Parakramabahu the Great (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 to 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 Parakramabahu VI, who defeated Indian invaders, united the island and ruled it from capital Sri Jayawardhanapura, Kotte.[5]
Landing of King Vijaya depicted in an Ajanta frescoAlthough the known 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' 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.[5]
