Gemunu Watch
| Gemunu Watch | |
|---|---|
 Cap badge of the Gemunu Watch | |
| Active | December 7, 1962 - present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Branch | Sri Lanka Army |
| Type | Line Infantry |
| Role | Infantry |
| Size | 26 battalions |
| Regimental Centre | Kuruwita Army Camp, Ratnapura. |
| Motto | “Maniwatta Abhikkama”-Pali (Do not tarry, Go forward) |
| Anniversaries | December 7 (Regimental day) |
| Engagements |
1971 JVP Insurrection, Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Centre Commandant | Brigadier M.A.S.K Muhandiram |
| Colonel of the Regiment | Maj Gen L.B.R Mark RSP, USP |
| Notable commanders |
Lt Gen Parami Kulatunga RSP, USP, GW Brig. John F. Halangode |
The Gemunu Watch (GW) ("King Dutugemunu's Own") was formed with troops from the Ceylon Light Infantry and the Ceylon Sinha Regiment in 1962. It has been deployed in many major operations against the LTTE. It is made up of 9 regular units and 4 volunteer units. Headquartered at Kuruwita Army Camp, Ratnapura. It is named after one of the most famous Lankan Kings, King Dutugemunu.
History
The regiment was formed on December 7, 1962, in Diyatalawa at HMCyS Rangalla (former HMS Uva Camp) that had been used as a holiday station by the Royal Navy prier to its transfer to the Royal Ceylon Navy. The regiment was formed as part of the reorganization of the army and rest of the armed services following the attempted military coup early that year, Troops from the 1st battalions of the CLI and CSR formed the core of the new regiment with World War II veteran Lt. Col. (later Brigadier) J.F. Halangode as Commanding Officer. It was the third infantry regiment of the army.
Shortly 2 volunteer units ever formed the 2nd (V) Gemunu Watch in Galle and the 3rd(V) Gemunu Watch in Matara. These were made up of troops form the Ruhunu Regiment that was disband in 1956 and supplemented by officers of the CSR, who had established a new voluntee unit as the 1st Battalion Gemunu Regiment.
Soon after it was deployed in Mannar sector on TAFII (Task Force Anti-Illicit Immigration) duties in early 1963 and later in the Jaffna sector too.
During the 1971 JVP Insurrection the 1st Gemunu Watch was the first unit to be deployed to counter it in Wellawaya, while the volunteer units were deployed in counter-insurgency operations in Galle and Matara.
The regiment was awarded President's and Regimental Colours by H.E. President J.R. Jayawardena on August 15, 1980, in Galle.
Gemunu Watch units played a pivotal role in the Sri Lankan Civil War. Notably during the Vadamarachchi Operation in 1987 when the 1st Gemunu Watch was a part of the 1st Brigade group that lead the way during the operation. In July 1991, 5th and 6th Gemunu Watch were part of the two Brigades that carried out an amphibious landing during Operation Balavegaya to break the siege of Elephant Pass by the LTTE terrorists. In July 1995 4th Gemunu Watch defeated an LTTE attack on a Weli-oya settlement in the North-East of Sri Lanka, killing over 350 LTTE cadres.
In October 1995 Operation Riviresa was launched to liberate the Jaffna peninsular where the 7th Gemunu Watch played a major role in the recapture of Jaffna Fort, Chavakachcheri, Point Pedro and VVT. In all 1GW, 5GW, 6GW, 8GW and 9GW were involved in the Operation Riviresa. 6GW, 7GW and 9GW were involved in the Operation Sathjaya and GW, 4GW, 5GW, 8GW and 11 GW tool part in the Operation Jayasikurui. Many Gemunu Watch units were involved in the operations in the East and Wanni regions during the last stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2007 and 2008.
Units
Regular army
- 1st Gemunu Watch
- 4th Gemunu Watch
- 5th Gemunu Watch
- 6th Gemunu Watch
- 7th Gemunu Watch
- 8th Gemunu Watch
- 9th Gemunu Watch
- 11th Gemunu Watch
- 12th Gemunu Watch
- 17th Gemunu Watch
- 18th gemunu Watch
- 19th Gemunu watch
- 23rd gemunu watch
- 24th bn the gemunu watch
- HQ BN Gemunu Watch
Volunteers
- 2nd(v) Gemunu Watch
- 3rd(v) Gemunu Watch
- 10th(v) Gemunu Watch
- 14th(v) Gemunu Watch
- 15th(v) Gemunu Watch
- 16th(v) Gemunu Watch
- 20th(v) Gemunu Watch
- 21st(v) Gemunu Watch
- 22nd(v) Gemunu Watch
Notable members
- General T. I. Weerathunga, VSV, GW - Former Commander of the Army & High Commissioner to Canada
- General G.H. De Silva, RWP, VSV, USP, GW - Former Commander of the Army & High Commissioner to Pakistan
- Lieutenant General Parami Kulatunga, RSP, USP, GW † - Former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army
- Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne, RWP, RSP, VSP, USP, GR †- Was transferred to the Gajaba Regiment as its 1st commanding officer when it was formed.
- Major General Lalin T Fernando - former Commander Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna (SF HQ (J))
- Brigadier John F. Halangode, GW - first commanding officer & Commander Colombo Force[1]
- Brigadier Hiran Halangode, RWP, RSP, USP, GW - Brigade Commander, 12th Brigade and Air Mobile Brigade
- Brigadier Rohitha Neil Akmeemana, RSP, USP, GW Brigade commander Elephant pass 2000, First commanding officer of the 9th battalion.
- Lieutenant Colonel Srimal Mendis, RWP, GW † - Officer Commading, 1GW, KIA in Velvettiturai.
- Major W Wimaladasa - Asian games (Tehran) 400 metres gold medalist.
- ColonelRohitha Wickramatilaka - commanding officer 4 Gemunu Watch.*
- Lieutenant ColonelRohantha Thrimawithane commanded 4th Battalion the Gemunu watch for 03 years and 09 months from 09 Sept 2001 to 15 June 2005 and the longest tenure in the history of Gemunu watch to command a battalion.
- Lieutenant Colonel MAR Hamidon- 1stcommanding officer 23 Gemunu Watch.
- Lieutenant Colonel Terrence subasinghe psc -1st Commanding Officer of the 15th battalion the Gemunu Watch (2007-2011)First volunteer officer who followed staff course from the Gemunu Watch and secured both psc and MSc.
Order of precedence
| Preceded by Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment |
Order of Precedence | Succeeded by Gajaba Regiment |
See also
External links and sources
- Sri Lanka Army
- Gemunu Watch
- THE GEMUNU WATCH EX-SERVICEMEN'S REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION
- 45th Anniversary of Gemunu Watch
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