Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment

Special Forces Regiment
Active December 1986 - Present
Country Sri Lanka
Branch Sri Lanka Army
Type Special Forces
Role Asymmetric warfare
Counter Terrorism
Special Operations
Size Four Regiments
Regimental Headquarters Naula
Nickname(s) SF
Motto(s)

අධිෂ්ඨානයෙන් අභීතව අරමුණ කරා
(Sinhala: To the target with determination and bravery

Determined, Dared and Done
Colors Red and Black
Commanders
Current
commander		 Brigadier Harendra Ranasinghe
Colonel of
the Regiment		 Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake
Notable
commanders		 Colonel A.F. Lafir
Insignia
Identification
symbol		 Black beret with regimental cap badge with Jolly Roger skull-and-crossed-bones arm patch "Special Forces" shoulder tab

The Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment (SF) (Sinhala: විශේෂ බලකාය Visēsha Balakāya; Tamil: சிறப்பு படைகள் ரெஜிமென்ட்) is one of two special operations units of the Sri Lanka Army, alongside the Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment. Since its inception as a combat tracker team in 1986, the unit gradually expanded into a brigade consisting of several regiments. It is the most secretive unit in the Sri Lanka Army.

History

The Sri Lanka Army Special Forces evolved from organization initially known as “Combat Tracker Team”. This group at the inception in 1985 had two Officers and 38 men and was to be tasked to carry out small group operations which have capability of operating deep in enemy territory against LTTE terrorism in time of war. This Combat Tracker Team led by the dedicated and devoted leadership of Maj Gen (retired) G. Hettiarachchi, WWV, RWP, RSP, USP, psc from the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC) (then Major) and Col A. F. Lafir, PWV, RWP, RSP, (posthumous) (Then Lt). Subsequently with the formation of the Special Service Group (SSG) the Combat Tracker Team becomes the reconnaissance element of the SSG. Later as the SSG concept failed to materialized, the Combat Tracker Team changes its name as Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) (Special Force) and operated independently. With the massive successful results of the RDF it was gradually expanded to 04 squadrons. In December 1988 the RDF (SF) was officially designated as 1 st Regiment Special Forces. At present the Special Forces consist of a Regimental Centre, SF Brigade, Training School, 4 Battalions and Regimental Headquarter Battalion –Special Forces.

Function

Combat rider teams of the SF on parade

Current SF roles are believed to include:

Selection

There has been no informative disclosure about the selection and induction processes of the Special Forces Brigade confirmed by the Sri Lankan Army. Information regarding the unit's selection and induction processes remain highly classified.

Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol

The Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) is designated as covert operations unit of the Sri Lanka Army. This unit is operated under the Directorate of Military Intelligence of the Army and for this LRRP, it is believed to be composed of personnel from the Commando Regiment and Special Forces Regiment.

Training

Soldier of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment demonstrating the use of a Ghillie suit for camouflage

Special Forces Training School was established on 15 February 1992 and it is conducting the basic and specialized training for all Special Forces personnel. It also conducts special courses to train instructors from other battalions in the Army and has also helped to train Navy Special Boat Squadron personnel and Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment Special Force.

A Combat Rider team of the Special Forces.
  • 1st Regiment Special Forces consist of highly trained Special Forces Vehicle Operators. They are proved to be forces to reckon-with, due to their quick reaction capability.
  • 2nd Regiment Special Forces was initially raised in 1994 with 3 Squadrons. Today it is a fully fledged battalion with 04 fighting squadrons. It has a diving team with assault boats and consisting of combat divers capable in Underwater demolition.
  • 3rd Regiment Special Forces, which was initially established as a Amphibious Warfare unit in 1996, has changed its roles and currently serves as the premier Counter Terrorist unit of the Special Forces Brigade. Selection for this unit is open to all active-duty members of the Special Forces Brigade.
  • 4th Regiment Special Forces was established in 2008.
  • 5th Regiment Special Forces, which was established in 2009, was disbanded on 1 April 2012.
  • New special urban fighting squadron was raised on 16 April 2012 for Hostage Rescue and Counter Terrorism Missions.

Insignia

The insignia depicts Eagle has been regarded as symbol of courage and warlike qualities, a sing qua non for any member of the Special Forces. The superior imposition of the eagle indicated the ability the unit of scooping towards its prey. It is well equipped for its task with its hooked beak. Wonderful keen eyes help to locate the target, powerful wings help to rush to the target, curved talons help to grab the target and hooked bear help to destroy the target. All those magnificently adapted to its requirements.

Brig. G. Hettiarachchi was a Major when he raised the Special Forces Regiment

Four Sharp Arrows- Placed on the background of the insignia and pointing to either side, depict the regiments basic concept of a 4 – man team and its capability of deep penetration(LRRP) into enemy territory and operating in small groups whose skills and have been sharpened as an arrow's head. Placing them crossing each other is intended to give the idea of combined strength and mutual support within as well as with other forces in all types of operation.

Recipient of the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya

Notable members

  • Major General G. Hettiarachchi, WWV, RWP, RSP, USP,
  • Colonel A.F. Lafir PWV, RWP, RSP  † - Former Commanding Officer of the 1st Regiment Special Forces
  • Lieutenant Colonel J.A.L Jayasinghe, WWV, RWP, RSP  †
  • Brigadier Nirmal Dharmaratne WWV RWP RSP - One of the pioneer members of Special Forces and Special Forces Brigade Commander during final Eelam War
  • Colonel Harendra Ranasingle - Former Special Forces Brigade Commander
  • Colonel Sujeewa Senarathyapa
  • Colonel Nishshanka Eriyagama
  • Colonel Chandimal Pires
  • Colonel Mahinda Ranasingle
  • Colonel Ihalage
  • Colonel Raj Vijesiri
  • Major Ajith Perera
  • Major Rohan Wijesinghe
  • Major General Presanna Silva
  • Lt Col Channe Waduge
  • Major Darsham a Ratnayaka
  • Major Upul Wirasinghe

Further reading

  • The Perfect Soldier: Special Operations, Commandos, and the Future of U.S. Warfare by James F. Dunnigan[1]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Publisher : Citadel, Year:(June 1, 2003), Language: English, ISBN 0-8065-2415-4 / ISBN 978-0-8065-2415-3
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.