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| Special Force Regiment | |
|---|---|
 Special Forces Regiment cap badge | |
| Active | December 1988 – Present |
| Country |  Sri Lanka |
| Branch |  Sri Lanka Army |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Size | Four Regiments (Fifth Regiment 2009-2012) |
| Regimental Headquarters | Naula |
| Nickname | SF |
| Mottos | අධිෂ්ඨානයෙන් අභීතව අරමුණ කරා Adhisthanayen Abhithawa Aramuna Kara (Sinhala:To the target with determination and bravery Determined, Dared and Done |
| Colors | Rana Parashuwa |
| Engagements | Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Decorations | 5Parama Weera Vibhushanaya 51Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya 1212Rana Wickrama Padakkama 2417Rana Sura Padakkama |
| Commanders | |
| Brigade Commander, Special Forces Brigade | Brigadier Thushara Mahalekamge |
| Colonel of the Regiment | Major GeneralW.T.W.G.IHALAGE |
| Notable commanders | GeneralMahesh Senanayake Major General G. Hettiarachchi ColonelA.F. Lafir Colonel Raj Vijayasiri Major GeneralW.T.W.G.Ihalage Lieutenant ColonelJ.A.L JayasingheMajor J.Y Mohotti |
TheSpecial Forces Regiment (SF) (Sinhala: විශේෂ බලකායVisēsha Balakāya;) is aspecial forces unit of theSri Lanka Army. Founded in 1986 as a combat tracker team, it was established as aregiment in 1988, and later expanded into abrigade. The unit specialises in a number of roles includingcounter-terrorism,direct action andcovertreconnaissance. Much like theBritish ArmySpecial Air Service, much of the information about the SF is highlyclassified due to the secrecy and sensitivity of its operations. The Sri Lanka Army Special Forces Regiment is considered one of the best Special Forces divisions in the world,[1] ranked as the third most dangerous Special Forces Unit in the world.[2]
The Special Forces Regiment currently consists of four regular battalions organized into the Special Forces Brigade, under the operational command ofI Corps forming its Special Operations Force along with theCommando Brigade.[3]
With the escalation of theSri Lankan Civil War in the mid 1980's the Sri Lanka Army formed a "Combat Tracker Team" in 1985 to conductdirect action andcovertreconnaissance againstLTTE units operating in the thick jungles in the northern part of the island in small groups. At its inception this unit was made up of two officers and 38 men under the command of MajorGamini Hettiarachchi from theSri Lanka Armoured Corps. The Combat Tracker Team became the reconnaissance element of the short lived Special Service Group (SSG) and was renamed as the Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) (Special Force) in 1985 which operated independently, during which time Lieutenant (later Colonel)A. F. Lafir joined the RDF from theGajaba Regiment. Following several successful operations, the RDF was gradually expanded to four squadrons. On 10 December 1988, the RDF (SF) was officially designated as the 1 Special Forces Regiment (1 SF)Naula in the Central province under the command of Major G. Hettiarachchi. With the view of increasing its mobility and stroke capacity 1 SF formed Combat Rider Team with assistance fromSouth Africa. The 2 Special Forces Regiment (2 SF) was formed on 18 February 1994 at Monkey Bridge Camp inTrincomalee with detached B, D, and E squadrons of 1 SF under the command of Major Raj Wijesiri. 2 SF soon raised a Combat Diver Team to specializing inamphibious warfare and later moved to Nayaru on the eastern seaboard. On 18 July 1996 the 25 Brigade HQ of the Sri Lanka Army at its base at Mullaitivu came under attack in what is known as theBattle of Mullaitivu. 1SF and 2SF were dropped by helicopter to spearhead in the rescue operation which reached the base on 23 July. Both units suffered heavy casualties including the commanding officer of 1SF, Lieutenant ColonelA. F. Lafir who was posthumously awarded theParama Weera Vibhushanaya. In August 1996, the 3 Special Forces Regiment (3 SF) was formed with personal from the other two SF regiments to develop amphibious warfare capability to counter activity of theSea Tigers, it was soon re-tasked to carryoutlong-range penetration missions in deep into LTTE controlled areas. This resulted in the start ofLong Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) concept in September 1996 with 3 SF based atVavuniya under the command of MajorMahesh Senanayake. 3 SF rescinded J and K Squadrons and created M Squadron. In December 1996, the Special Forces Brigade was formed bringing 1SF, 2SF and 3SF under its operational command. On 15 June 2008, 4 Special Forces Regiment (4 SF) was raised at SF Training School inMaduru Oya under the command of Major J.P.C. Peiris support the demands of thenew northern offensive.
The Special Forces Regiment consists of four regular battalions. The Regimental Headquarter which includes the Regimental Centre and the Regimental Headquarter Battalion handles administration while the four regular battalions are organised into the Special Forces Brigade (SF BDE) which comes under the operational command ofI Corps.[4]
Any member of the Sri Lanka Army can apply for the Special Forces Regiment. Applicants need to pass the 28 day selection course. Candidates who successfully complete this course are then enrolled to complete the basic Special Forces course which lasts between 10–12 months. After graduating the Special Forces course, the candidates are inducted as members of the Special Forces Regiment and are offered training programs of occupational specialities offered by the Regiment.[5]
Special Forces Training School was established on 15 February 1992 and it is conducting the basic and specialized training for all Special Forces personnel.[citation needed] It also conducts special courses to train instructors from other battalions in the Army and has also helped to train NavySpecial Boat Squadron personnel andSri Lanka Air Force Regiment Special Force.
Unlike other regiments in the Sri Lanka Army, the Special Forces Regiment has been awardedRana Parashuwa which are a ceremonial battle hatchets that represent President's and regimental colors in 2019.[6]
The Special Forces Regimentcap badge depicts an Eagle and has been regarded as a symbol of the SF along with theblack-colored beret and theJolly Roger skull-and-crossed-bones arm patch with the "Special Forces" shoulder tab.[4]
| Preceded by | Order of Precedence | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
