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| image_size = 200px
| image_size = 200px
| caption =
| caption =
| dates = 12 April 1888 - Present<br> {{age|1888|04|12}} years old
| dates = 12 April 1888 - present<br /> {{age|1888|04|12}} years old
| country = {{flag|Sri Lanka}}
| country = {{flag|Sri Lanka}}
| branch = {{army|Sri Lanka}}
| branch = {{army|Sri Lanka}}
| type = [[Artillery]]
| type = [[Artillery]]
| command_structure = Artillery Brigade
| command_structure =
| role = Artillery gun warfare
| role = Artillery gun warfare
| size = 10 Regular regiments, <br>2 Volunteer regiments
| size = 10 regular regiments, <br />2 volunteer regiments
| commander1 = [[Major-general (Sri Lanka)|Maj Gen]] K N S Kotuwegoda
| commander1 = [[Major-general (Sri Lanka)|Maj Gen]] W A S S Wanasinghe RSP USP VSV ndc
| commander1_label = Colonel Commandant
| commander1_label = Colonel Commandant
| commander2 = [[Brigadier (Sri Lanka)|Brig]] M K U P Gunaratne
| commander2 = [[Brigadier (Sri Lanka)|Brig]] B G S Fernando USP Hdmc psc
| commander2_label = Centre Commandant
| commander2_label = Centre Commandant
| commander3 = [[Colonel (Sri Lanka)|Col]] C S Munasinghe
| commander3 = [[Brigadier (Sri Lanka)|Brig]] S P Malawarage RSP USP IG
| commander3_label = Brigade Commander
| commander3_label = Brigade Commander
| commander4 = [[Regimental Sergeant Major|WO1]] B M G G S A Basnayaka
| commander4 = [[Regimental Sergeant Major|WO1]] B M G G S A Basnayaka
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| nickname = Gunners
| nickname = Gunners
| motto = ''On the Way to Justice and Glory''
| motto = ''On the Way to Justice and Glory''
| colors = {{colorbox|Red}} {{colorbox|#00008B}}
| colors = {{color box|Red}} {{color box|#00008B}}
| march = ''[[The British Grenadiers]]''
| march = ''[[The British Grenadiers]]''
| mascot =
| mascot =
| battles = [[Second Boer War]]<br/>[[World War I]]<br/>[[World War II]]<br/>[[1971 Insurrection]]<br/>[[Insurrection 1987-89]]<br/>[[Sri Lankan Civil War]]
| battles = [[Second Boer War]]<br />[[World War I]]<br />[[World War II]]<br />[[1971 Insurrection]]<br />[[Insurrection 1987-89]]<br />[[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]]
| notable_commanders = [[Colonel]] [[F. C. de Saram]] [[OBE]]
| notable_commanders = [[Colonel]] [[F. C. de Saram]] [[OBE]]
| anniversaries = 12 April
| anniversaries = 12 April
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The emblem of the SLA is modeled after that used by the [[Royal Artillery]], but with the lion from both the flag and emblem instead of the crown, with the lion depicted holding the [[Kastane]] sabre.
The emblem of the SLA is modeled after that used by the [[Royal Artillery]], but with the lion from both the flag and emblem instead of the crown, with the lion depicted holding the [[Kastane]] sabre.

Unlike other artillery units in the Commonwealth the SLA is entitled to a strand of Colours.


==History==
==History==
=== Ceylon Artillery Volunteers ===
=== Ceylon Artillery Volunteers ===
The roots of the Sri Lanka Artillery goes back to 1888, when on 12 April 1888 the '''Ceylon Artillery Volunteers''' was formed as a [[Artillery battery|gun battery]] under the command of Captain C.E.H Symons of the [[Royal Artillery]] to man a gun battery equipped with [[BL 12-pounder 6 cwt gun]]s. By 1901 it numbered a strength of 162.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wright |first1=Arnold |title=Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon |year=1999 |isbn=9788120613355 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eUF_rS8FEoIC&q=Artillery}}</ref> In 1910, its headquarters was move to Galle Buck Road in [[Fort (Colombo)|Colombo Fort]] (which is now part of [[SLNS Parakrama]]). During [[World War I]] the Ceylon Artillery Volunteers were mobilised, along with the '''Town Guard Artillery''' of [[Colombo]], for the defence of Colombo against [[German commerce raiders in World War I|German commerce raiders]].
The roots of the Sri Lanka Artillery goes back to 1888, when on 12 April 1888 the '''Ceylon Artillery Volunteers''' was formed as a [[Artillery battery|gun battery]] under the command of Captain C.E.H Symons of the [[Royal Artillery]] to man a gun battery equipped with [[BL 12-pounder 6 cwt gun]]s. By 1901 it numbered a strength of 162.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wright |first1=Arnold |title=Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon |year=1999 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=9788120613355 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eUF_rS8FEoIC&q=Artillery}}</ref> In 1910, its headquarters was moved to Galle Buck Road in [[Fort (Colombo)|Colombo Fort]] (which is now part of [[SLNS Parakrama]]). During [[World War I]] the Ceylon Artillery Volunteers were mobilised, along with the '''Town Guard Artillery''' of [[Colombo]], for the defence of Colombo against [[German commerce raiders in World War I|German commerce raiders]].


=== Ceylon Garrison Artillery ===
=== Ceylon Garrison Artillery ===
[[File:Hoods Tower Museum 2.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A BL 6 inch Gun, of the [[Hoods Tower Museum|Ostenburg battery]] in [[Trincomalee]].]]
[[File:Hoods Tower Museum 2.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A BL 6 inch gun, of the [[Hoods Tower Museum|Ostenburg battery]] in [[Trincomalee]]]]

In 1918, the '''Ceylon Garrison Artillery''' (CGA) was formed by amalgamating the Ceylon Artillery Volunteers and the Town Guard Artillery, coming under the [[Ceylon Defence Force]]. During the colonial period the main responsibility of the Ceylon Garrison Artillery was to assist the Royal Artillery manning the coastal defence of [[Ceylon]], by operating [[Coastal artillery]] [[Artillery battery|batteries]] in Colombo and [[Trincomalee]].
In 1918, the '''Ceylon Garrison Artillery''' (CGA) was formed by amalgamating the Ceylon Artillery Volunteers and the Town Guard Artillery, coming under the [[Ceylon Defence Force]]. During the colonial period the main responsibility of the Ceylon Garrison Artillery was to assist the Royal Artillery manning the coastal defence of [[Ceylon]], by operating [[Coastal artillery]] [[Artillery battery|batteries]] in Colombo and [[Trincomalee]].


With the on set of [[Ceylon in World War II|World War II]], the CGA was mobilised and expanded. The expansion saw the 1st Coast Regiment raising one field and four coast batteries. Heavy coastal batteries around Colombo at [[Fort (Colombo)#Remains|Battenburg]], [[Galle Face Green|Galle Face]] and [[Rock House Army Camp|Mutwal]] were manned by the 1st Coast Regiment equipped with [[BL 9.2-inch Mk I – VII naval gun|BL 9.2-inch gun]]s and [[BL 6 inch Mk VII naval gun]]s.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ancient artillery gun discovered at Galle Face |url=http://mirrorcitizen.dailymirror.lk/2015/09/28/ancient-artillery-gun-discovered-at-galle-face/ |access-date=24 Nov 2020 |agency=Daily Mirror}}</ref> The 2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, was formed and headquartered in [[Trincomalee]] equipped with [[QF 3.7-inch AA gun]]s, followed by the 3rd Searchlight/Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment based in Colombo equipped with [[Bofors 40 mm gun|40mm Bofors gun]]s. These formations defended Colombo and Trincomalee during the air attacks that occurred as part of the [[Indian Ocean raid]] by the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]].<ref>[http://stonebooks.com/archives/070121.shtml The British Armies in World War Two: An Organisational History, vol 9: The Indian Army, part two: The Indian Army in the East, 1939-43]</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Britain's strategic base in Ceylon World War II |url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=210209 |accessdate=16 May 2020 |publisher=Island}}</ref> The CGA was also deployed overseas to support the Allied and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces in the Indian Ocean. A detachment of CGA was deployed in defence of the [[Seychelles]] and the [[Cocos Islands]] manning [[BL 6 inch Gun Mk 7|6 inch Costal Gun]]s. There on the night of 8 May 1942, 30 out of 56 personnel of the CGA detachment on [[Horsburgh Island]] mutinied in what was known as the [[Cocos Islands mutiny]]. Following the mutiny, no combat units from Ceylon were deployed overseas, support units were deployed with Commonwealth forces. With the end of the war CGA was demobilized.
With the onset of [[Ceylon in World War II|World War II]], the CGA was mobilised and expanded. The expansion saw the 1st Coast Regiment raising one field and four coast batteries. Heavy coastal batteries around Colombo at [[Fort (Colombo)#Remains|Battenburg]], [[Galle Face Green|Galle Face]] and [[Rock House Army Camp|Mutwal]] were manned by the 1st Coast Regiment equipped with [[BL 9.2-inch Mk I – VII naval gun|BL 9.2-inch gun]]s and [[BL 6 inch Mk VII naval gun]]s.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ancient artillery gun discovered at Galle Face |url=http://mirrorcitizen.dailymirror.lk/2015/09/28/ancient-artillery-gun-discovered-at-galle-face/ |access-date=24 Nov 2020 |agency=Daily Mirror}}</ref> The 2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, was formed and headquartered in [[Trincomalee]] equipped with [[QF 3.7-inch AA gun]]s, followed by the 3rd Searchlight/Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment based in Colombo equipped with [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40mm Bofors gun]]s. These formations defended Colombo and Trincomalee during the air attacks that occurred as part of the [[Indian Ocean raid]] by the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stonebooks.com/archives/070121.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070502014827/stonebooks.com/archives/070121.shtml|archive-date=2007-05-02|title=The British Armies in World War Two: An Organisational History, vol 9: The Indian Army, part two: The Indian Army in the East, 1939-43}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Britain's strategic base in Ceylon World War II |url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=210209 |accessdate=16 May 2020 |publisher=Island}}</ref> The CGA was also deployed overseas to support the Allied and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces in the Indian Ocean. A detachment of CGA was deployed in defence of the [[Seychelles]] and the [[Cocos Islands]] manning [[BL 6 inch Gun Mk 7|6 inch Coastal Gun]]s. There on the night of 8 May 1942, 30 out of 56 personnel of the CGA detachment on [[Horsburgh Island]] mutinied in what was known as the [[Cocos Islands mutiny]]. Following the mutiny, no combat units from Ceylon were deployed overseas, support units were deployed with Commonwealth forces. With the end of the war CGA was demobilized.


=== Ceylon Artillery ===
=== Ceylon Artillery ===
[[File:Artillery Complex, Minneriya, Sri Lanka 01.JPG|thumb|310x310px|A [[QF 3.7-inch AA gun]] as a [[gate guardian]] at the Artillery Complex in [[Minneriya]].]]
[[File:Artillery Complex, Minneriya, Sri Lanka 01.JPG|thumb|300x300px|A [[QF 3.7-inch AA gun]] as a [[gate guardian]] at the Artillery Complex in [[Minneriya]]]]

In 1948, Ceylon gained self-rule and the [[Ceylon Army]] was formed on 1 October 1949 under the Army Act of 1949 and the Ceylon Defence Force disbanded. The Ceylon Garrison Artillery became the '''Ceylon Artillery''' with some of its personal transferring to the regular force and others continuing as volunteers. That year the 1st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (HAA) of the Ceylon Artillery was formed under the command of Lt. Col. (later Colonel) [[F. C. de Saram]], [[OBE]] equipped with [[Bofors 40 mm gun|40 mm anti-aircraft guns]] and [[QF 3.7 inch AA gun|3.7 inch heavy anti-aircraft guns]] at [[Rock House Army Camp|Rock House]]. The 2nd Volunteer Coastal Artillery / Anti-Aircraft Regiment was formed in 1949, under the command of Lt. Col. J.A.T. Perera, [[Efficiency Decoration|ED]] manning the [[BL 6 inch Gun Mk 7|BL 6 inch]] [[coastal guns]], made up of officers and men of the Ceylon Garrison Artillery. In 1953 the 1st HAA was renamed the 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (LAA). In the same year the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment was formed equipped with [[ML 4.2-inch mortar|ML 4.2-inch heavy mortars]].
In 1948, Ceylon gained self-rule and the [[Ceylon Army]] was formed on 1 October 1949 under the Army Act of 1949 and the Ceylon Defence Force disbanded. The Ceylon Garrison Artillery became the '''Ceylon Artillery''' with some of its personal transferring to the regular force and others continuing as volunteers. That year the 1st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (HAA) of the Ceylon Artillery was formed under the command of Lt. Col. (later Colonel) [[F. C. de Saram]], [[OBE]] equipped with [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm anti-aircraft guns]] and [[QF 3.7 inch AA gun|3.7 inch heavy anti-aircraft guns]] at [[Rock House Army Camp|Rock House]]. The 2nd Volunteer Coastal Artillery / Anti-Aircraft Regiment was formed in 1949, under the command of Lt. Col. J.A.T. Perera, [[Efficiency Decoration|ED]] manning the [[BL 6 inch Gun Mk 7|BL 6 inch]] [[coastal guns]], made up of officers and men of the Ceylon Garrison Artillery. In 1953 the 1st HAA was renamed the 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (LAA). In the same year the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment was formed equipped with [[ML 4.2-inch mortar|ML 4.2-inch heavy mortars]].


In 1962, an [[Attempted military coup in Ceylon, 1962|attempted military coup]] by senior military and police officers took place, with many officers of the Ceylon Artillery, including Colonel De Saram being implicated. The government purged military of officers and other ranks found to be associated with the coup. The Ceylon Artillery suffered badly, with the all three of its regiments being disbanded. Remaining officers and other ranks of the 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment and the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment were amalgamated to form the 4th Regiment, Ceylon Artillery on 26 April 1963, thus reducing the Ceylon Artillery to a single regiment. The [[coastal artillery]] [[Artillery battery|batteries]] were decommissioned.
In 1962, an [[Attempted military coup in Ceylon, 1962|attempted military coup]] by senior military and police officers took place, with many officers of the Ceylon Artillery, including Colonel De Saram being implicated. The government purged military of officers and other ranks found to be associated with the coup. The Ceylon Artillery suffered badly, with the all three of its regiments being disbanded. Remaining officers and other ranks of the 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment and the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment were amalgamated to form the 4th Regiment, Ceylon Artillery on 26 April 1963, thus reducing the Ceylon Artillery to a single regiment. The [[coastal artillery]] [[Artillery battery|batteries]] were decommissioned.


In April 1971, the Ceylon Army was mobilized to faced the [[1971 JVP insurrection]]. Lacking field artillery, the 4th Regiment deployed its troops as infantry for counter insurgency operations until it received received 14 [[76 mm mountain gun M48|76 mm mountain guns]] from [[Yugoslavia|Yugoslav]] and 30 [[85 mm anti-tank gun D-48|85 mm Type 60 anti-tank guns]] from China. These were used to bombard insurgent holdouts.
In April 1971, the Ceylon Army was mobilized to faced the [[1971 JVP insurrection]]. Lacking field artillery, the 4th Regiment deployed its troops as infantry for counter insurgency operations until it received 14 [[76 mm mountain gun M48|76 mm mountain guns]] from [[Yugoslavia|Yugoslav]] and 30 [[85 mm anti-tank gun D-48|85 mm Type 60 anti-tank guns]] from China. These were used to bombard insurgent holdouts.


=== Sri Lanka Artillery ===
=== Sri Lanka Artillery ===
The CA was renamed in 1972 as the '''Sri Lanka Artillery''' when Ceylon became a republic. The 4th Regiment, Sri Lanka Artillery transitioned into a [[field artillery]] role as it decommissioned its anti-aircraft guns. Several years later the [[air defence]] role of the Sri Lankan military was taken over by the [[Sri Lanka Air Force|Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment]], which it carries out to this day.
The CA was renamed in 1972 as the '''Sri Lanka Artillery''' when Ceylon became a republic. The 4th Regiment, Sri Lanka Artillery transitioned into a [[field artillery]] role as it decommissioned its anti-aircraft guns. Several years later the [[air defence]] role of the Sri Lankan military was taken over by the [[Sri Lanka Air Force|Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment]], which it carries out to this day.


In 1980 a new volunteer regiment, the 5th (V) Artillery Regiment was formed. With the on set of the [[Sri Lankan Civil War]], SLA grew in size and added [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Ordnance QF 25 pounder]] Mark III field guns to its inventory.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wickremesekera |first1=Channa |title=The Tamil Separatist War in Sri Lanka |date=2016 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781317293859 }}</ref> These were used in major military operations in the 1980s such as the [[Vadamarachchi Operation]]. New regiments were formed with new sources of weaponry in the 1990s and 2000s from [[People's Republic of China|China]] and the [[Czech Republic]]. With the escalation of the [[Sri Lankan civil war]][[85 mm divisional gun D-44]] [[Type 60 howitzer|122&nbsp;mm howitzer]]s, [[Type 66 gun-howitzer|152&nbsp;mm gun-howitzer]]s, [[Type 59 field gun|130&nbsp;mm field gun]]s and 120&nbsp;mm, 82&nbsp;mm mortars were introduced, and in 2000 [[RM-70 Multiple rocket launcher]]s were added, increasing SLA's firepower. [[Target acquisition]] was carried out to locate enemy guns using [[AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar]]s and [[SLC-2 Radar]] as [[counter-battery radar]]s by its Independent Locating Battery.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dhammika |first1=KVP |url=http://dl.lib.uom.lk/bitstream/handle/123/1889/Chapter02.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y| title= Chapter 02: Literature Survey |website=uom.lk |publisher=University of Moratuwa |accessdate=16 November 2020}}</ref>
In 1980 a new volunteer regiment, the 5th (V) Artillery Regiment was formed from the 2nd Battalion of the [[Ceylon National Guard]]. With the onset of the [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]], SLA grew in size and added [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Ordnance QF 25 pounder]] Mark III field guns to its inventory.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wickremesekera |first1=Channa |title=The Tamil Separatist War in Sri Lanka |date=2016 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781317293859 }}</ref> These were used in major military operations in the 1980s such as the [[Vadamarachchi Operation]]. 24 3.7-inch AA guns were in service till the early 1990s<ref>{{cite book |title=Jane's Land-based Air Defence 1992-93 |publisher=[[Jane's Information Group]] |page=306 |url=https://ftp.idu.ac.id/wp-content/uploads/ebook/tdg/ADNVANCED%20MILITARY%20PLATFORM%20DESIGN/Janes%20Land-Based%20Air%20Defence%201992-93%20by%20Tony%20Cullen,%20Christopher%20F.%20Foss%20(z-lib.org).pdf}}</ref> New regiments were formed with new sources of weaponry in the 1990s and 2000s from [[People's Republic of China|China]] and the [[Czech Republic]]. With the escalation of the [[Sri Lankan civil war]] [[85 mm divisional gun D-44|85 mm Type 56 field gun]]s, [[Type 60 howitzer|122&nbsp;mm howitzer]]s, [[Type 66 gun-howitzer|152&nbsp;mm gun-howitzer]]s, [[Type 59 field gun|130&nbsp;mm field gun]]s and [[120-PM-43 mortar|120&nbsp;mm mortar]]s, [[Type 87 mortar|82&nbsp;mm mortar]]s were introduced, and in 2000 [[RM-70 Multiple rocket launcher]]s were added, increasing SLA's firepower. [[Target acquisition]] was carried out to locate enemy guns using [[AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar]]s and [[SLC-2 Radar]] as [[counter-battery radar]]s by its Independent Locating Battery.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dhammika |first1=KVP |url=http://dl.lib.uom.lk/bitstream/handle/123/1889/Chapter02.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y| title= Chapter 02: Literature Survey |website=uom.lk |publisher=University of Moratuwa |accessdate=16 November 2020}}</ref>


At present the Sri Lanka Artillery has nine regular regiments, two volunteer regiments and a regimental band. These units form the Artillery Brigade. During the civil war, SLA has provided fire support for almost all military operations carried out by the Sri Lanka Army. At times the SLA has deployed one regular ([[Reinforcement Regiment|RFT]]) and two volunteer regiments in an infantry role to meet the shortage of [[infantry]]. In 2020, the SLA raised the 15th Drone Regiment for surveillance and target acquisition, deploying [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]]s to monitor [[COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka#Minuwangoda and Divulapitiya cluster|isolated areas]] during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Army sets up new Drone Wing under Artillery Regiment |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2020/11/13/local/233530/army-sets-new-drone-wing-under-artillery-regiment |accessdate=16 November 2020 |work=Daily News}}</ref>
At present the Sri Lanka Artillery has nine regular regiments, two volunteer regiments and a regimental band. These units form the Artillery Brigade. During the civil war, SLA has provided fire support for almost all military operations carried out by the Sri Lanka Army. At times the SLA has deployed one regular ([[Reinforcement Regiment|RFT]]) and two volunteer regiments in an infantry role to meet the shortage of [[infantry]]. In 2020, the SLA raised the 15th Drone Regiment for surveillance and target acquisition, deploying [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]]s to monitor [[COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka#Minuwangoda and Divulapitiya cluster|isolated areas]] during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Army sets up new Drone Wing under Artillery Regiment |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2020/11/13/local/233530/army-sets-new-drone-wing-under-artillery-regiment |accessdate=16 November 2020 |work=Daily News}}</ref>


==Units==
==Units==
[[File:Sri Lanka Military 0251.jpg|thumb|RM-70 Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher - Sri Lanka Artillery]]
[[File:Sri Lanka Military 0251.jpg|thumb|RM-70 multi barrel rocket launcher - Sri Lanka Artillery]]
[[File:Sri Lanka Military 0250.jpg|thumb|122 mm Artillery]]
[[File:Sri Lanka Military 0250.jpg|thumb|122 mm artillery]]


===Regular Regiments===
===Regular regiments===
*4th Field Regiment SLA - Equipped with 122&nbsp;mm Type 60 howitzers and 130&nbsp;mm Type 59 field guns
*4th Field Regiment SLA - equipped with 122&nbsp;mm Type 60 howitzers and 130&nbsp;mm Type 59 field guns
*6th Field Regiment SLA - Equipped with 122&nbsp;mm Type 60 howitzers for operational duties
*6th Field Regiment SLA - equipped with 122&nbsp;mm Type 60 howitzers for operational duties
** Ceremonial Saluting Battery - Equipped Ordnance QF 25 pounder field guns for firing salutes
** Ceremonial Saluting Battery - equipped ordnance QF 25 pounder field guns for firing salutes
*7th Light Regiment SLA - Equipped with 120mm mortars
*7th Light Regiment SLA - equipped with 120mm mortars
*8th Medium Regiment SLA - Equipped with 130&nbsp;mm Type 59 field guns
*8th Medium Regiment SLA - equipped with 130&nbsp;mm Type 59 field guns
*9th Field Regiment SLA - Equipped with 122&nbsp;mm Type 54 howitzers
*9th Field Regiment SLA - equipped with 122&nbsp;mm Type 54 howitzers
*10th Medium Regiment SLA - Equipped with 152&nbsp;mm Type 66 gun-howitzers
*10th Medium Regiment SLA - equipped with 152&nbsp;mm Type 66 gun-howitzers
*11th Regiment SLA - [[Reinforcement Regiment]] (RFT) in infantry role
*11th Regiment SLA - [[Reinforcement Regiment]] (RFT) in infantry role
*14th Rocket Regiment SLA - Equipped with RM-70 Multiple rocket launcher
*14th Rocket Regiment SLA - equipped with RM-70 multiple rocket launcher
*15th UAV Regiment SLA - Equipped with [[Unmanned Air Vehicles]]
*15th UAV Regiment SLA - equipped with [[unmanned air vehicles]]
*Independent Locating Battery - Equipped with AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radars and SLC-2 Radars
*Independent Locating Battery - equipped with AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radars and SLC-2 Radars


===Volunteer Regiments===
===Volunteer regiments===
*5th (Volunteer) Regiment SLA - infantry role
*5th (Volunteer) Regiment SLA (Formed on 22 January 1980) - infantry role
*12th (Volunteer) Regiment SLA - infantry role
*12th (Volunteer) Regiment SLA (Formed on 9 September 1990) - infantry role (Converted from 8 Sri Lanka National Guard)


=== Disbanded Regiments ===
=== Disbanded regiments ===
*1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment - 1963
*1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment - 1963
*2nd Volunteer Coastal Artillery Regiment - 1963
*2nd Volunteer Coastal Artillery Regiment - 1963
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*16th Regiment SLA ([[Reinforcement Regiment|RFT]]) - 2019
*16th Regiment SLA ([[Reinforcement Regiment|RFT]]) - 2019


=== School Of Artillery ===
=== School of Artillery ===
In 1957, an Instructor Gunnery (IG) section was formed under Chief Instructor Major B. I. Loyela for training on the use of anti-aircraft guns. On 16 September 1985, the IG section based at the [[Panagoda Cantonment]] was reorganized as the School of Artillery to facilitate the expansion of the Regiment of Artillery. It was moved to the [[Minneriya Garrison]] in October 1990.
In 1957, an Instructor Gunnery (IG) section was formed under Chief Instructor Major B. I. Loyela for training on the use of anti-aircraft guns. On 16 September 1985, the IG section based at the [[Panagoda Cantonment]] was reorganized as the School of Artillery to facilitate the expansion of the Regiment of Artillery. It was moved to the [[Minneriya Garrison]] in October 1990.


Its programs includes;
Its programs include:


;Officers
;Officers
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* Gun Position Officer Course
* Gun Position Officer Course
* Forward Observation Officer Course
* Forward Observation Officer Course
* Young Officers Course
* Young Officers Course


;Other ranks
;Other ranks
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==Equipment==
==Equipment==
[[File:SLA Artillery RM70 rocket launcher.JPG|thumb|A RM-70 multiple rocket launcher of the Sri Lanka Artillery.]]
[[File:SLA Artillery RM70 rocket launcher.JPG|thumb|A RM-70 multiple rocket launcher of the Sri Lanka Artillery]]
[[File:Sri Lanka Military 0011.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Type 66 152mm Artillery]]
[[File:Sri Lanka Military 0011.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Type 66 152mm artillery]]


; Ceremonial
; Ceremonial
* [[Ordnance QF 25 pounder]] field guns - (Ceremonial Gun Battery)
* [[Ordnance QF 25 pounder]] field guns (ceremonial gun battery)
* [[76 mm mountain gun M48]] mountain guns - (Colour Gun)
* [[76 mm mountain gun M48]] mountain guns (colour gun)


;Light Artillery (Mortars)
;Light artillery (mortars)
<!--* Type 84 (W84) 82&nbsp;mm mortars [http://www.sinodefence.com/army/crewserved/type84mortar_82mm.asp] -->
<!--* Type 84 (W84) 82&nbsp;mm mortars<ref>{{Cite web | title=Chinese Defence Today - Type 84 (W84) 82mm Mortar | url=http://www.sinodefence.com/army/crewserved/type84mortar_82mm.asp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060507083132/http://www.sinodefence.com:80/army/crewserved/type84mortar_82mm.asp | access-date=2024-12-20 | archive-date=2006-05-07}}</ref> -->
* Type 86 (W86) 120&nbsp;mm mortars [http://www.sinodefence.com/army/crewserved/type86mortar_120mm.asp]
* Type 86 (W86) 120&nbsp;mm mortars<ref>{{Cite web | title=Chinese Defence Today - Type 86 120mm Mortar | url=http://www.sinodefence.com/army/crewserved/type86mortar_120mm.asp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060507083225/http://www.sinodefence.com:80/army/crewserved/type86mortar_120mm.asp | access-date=2024-12-20 | archive-date=2006-05-07}}</ref>


;Field Artillery
;Field artillery
<!--* [[85 mm anti-tank gun D-48|85&nbsp;mm Type 60 field guns]] -->
<!--* [[85 mm anti-tank gun D-48|85&nbsp;mm Type 60 field guns]] -->
* [[122 mm howitzer M1938 (M-30)|122&nbsp;mm Type 54 howitzer]]s
* [[122 mm howitzer M1938 (M-30)|122&nbsp;mm Type 54 howitzer]]s<!--https://alt.army.lk/gunner/9-sla-->
* [[Type 60 howitzer|122&nbsp;mm Type 60 howitzer]]s
* [[Type 60 howitzer|122&nbsp;mm Type 60 howitzer]]s
<!--* 122&nbsp;mm [[Type 83 howitzer]]s-->
* [[Type 83 122 mm howitzer|122&nbsp;mm Type 83 howitzer]]s


;Medium Artillery
;Medium artillery
* [[Type 59 field gun|130&nbsp;mm Type 59 field gun]]s
* [[Type 59 field gun|130&nbsp;mm Type 59 field gun]]s
* [[Type 66 gun-howitzer|152&nbsp;mm Type 66 gun-howitzer]]s
* [[Type 66 gun-howitzer|152&nbsp;mm Type 66 gun-howitzer]]s


;Rocket Artillery
;Rocket artillery
* [[RM-70 Multiple rocket launcher]]
* [[RM-70 Multiple rocket launcher]]
* [[BM-21 Grad|KRL 122 Multiple rocket launcher]] (retired)
* [[PHL-81]] [[BM-21 Grad|Multiple rocket launcher]] (retired)


;Surveillance & Target Acquisition
;Surveillance & target acquisition
* [[AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar]]
* [[AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar]]
* [[SLC-2 Radar]]
* [[SLC-2 Radar]]


==Notable members==
==Notable members==
*[[General]] [[Hamilton Wanasinghe]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]] - Former [[Commander of the Army (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Army]].
*[[General]] [[Hamilton Wanasinghe]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]] - former [[Commander of the Army (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Army]]
*[[General]] [[L. P. Balagalle]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]], ndc, IG - Former [[Commander of the Army (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Army]].
*[[General]] [[L. P. Balagalle]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]], ndc, IG - former [[Commander of the Army (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Army]]
*[[General]] [[C. S. Weerasooriya]], [[Rana Wickrama Padakkama|RWP]], [[Rana Sura Padakkama|RSP]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]] - Former [[Commander of the Army (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Army]].
*[[General]] [[Srilal Weerasooriya]], [[Rana Wickrama Padakkama|RWP]], [[Rana Sura Padakkama|RSP]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]] - former [[Commander of the Army (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Army]].
*[[Major General]] [[Gratian Silva]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]] - former [[Military Secretary (Sri Lanka)|Military Secretary]]
*[[Major General]] [[Gratian Silva]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]] - former [[Military Secretary (Sri Lanka)|Military Secretary]]
*[[Major General]] [[Duleep Wickramanayake]] - former Director Operations and Training
*[[Major General]] [[Duleep Wickramanayake]] - former Director Operations and Training
*[[Major General]] [[Jayantha de S. Jayaratne]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]], ndc, [[Instructor in Gunnery|IG]] - former [[Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna|Commander Security Forces Jaffna]]
*[[Major General]] [[Jayantha de S. Jayaratne]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]], ndc, [[Instructor in Gunnery|IG]] - former [[Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna|Commander Security Forces Jaffna]]
*[[Major General]] [[Sarath Munasinghe]] [[Rana Wickrama Padakkama|RWP]], [[Rana Sura Padakkama|RSP]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]] - Former Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Commander Security Forces Headquarter Jaffna.
*[[Major General]] [[Sarath Munasinghe]] [[Rana Wickrama Padakkama|RWP]], [[Rana Sura Padakkama|RSP]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]] - former Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Commander Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna
*[[Major General]] [[Larry Wijeratne]] {{KIA}} - Former Brigade commander, 514 Brigade.
*[[Major General]] [[Larry Wijeratne]] {{KIA}} - former Brigade commander, 514 Brigade
*[[Major General]] [[Ananda Hamangoda]] {{KIA}} - Former Brigade commander, 512 Brigade. Jaffna.
*[[Major General]] [[Ananda Hamangoda]] {{KIA}} - former Brigade commander, 512 Brigade, Jaffna
*[[Major General]] [[Larry Wijeratne]] {{KIA}} - Former Brigade commander, 514 Brigade.
*[[Major General]] [[Larry Wijeratne]] {{KIA}} - former Brigade commander, 514 Brigade
*[[Brigadier]] [[B. K. V. J. E. Rodrigo]] - former [[Commandant of the Volunteer Force]]
*[[Major General]] [[Ananda Hamangoda]] {{KIA}} - Former Brigade commander, 512 Brigade.
*[[Brigadier]] [[B. K. V. J. E. Rodrigo]] - Former [[Commandant of the Volunteer Force]].
*[[Brigadier]] [[Leonard Merlyn Wickremasooriya]] - former Commandant, [[Sri Lanka Military Academy|Army Training Centre, Diyatalawa]]
*[[Brigadier]] [[Leonard Merlyn Wickremasooriya]] - Former Commandant, [[Sri Lanka Military Academy|Army Training Centre, Diyatalawa]]
*[[Brigadier]] K.T.Sujeewa Gunawardhana, [[Rana Sura Padakkama|RSP]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]] - first commanding officer, 14th Rocket Regiment SLA
*[[Brigadier]] K.T.Sujeewa Gunawardhana, [[Rana Sura Padakkama|RSP]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]] - first commanding officer, 14th Rocket Regiment SLA
* [[Colonel]] [[F. C. de Saram|Fredrick C. de Saram]] [[OBE]], [[Ceylon Artillery|CA]] - former Commanding officer, 1st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Ceylon Artillery & Leader of the [[Attempted military coup in Ceylon, 1962|Attempted military coup in 1962]]
* [[Colonel]] [[F. C. de Saram|Fredrick C. de Saram]] [[OBE]], [[Ceylon Artillery|CA]] - former Commanding officer, 1st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Ceylon Artillery & leader of the [[Attempted military coup in Ceylon, 1962|attempted military coup in 1962]]
* [[Lieutenant Colonel]] Wilmot "Willie" S. Abrahams, [[Military Cross|MC]], [[Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire|MBE]], [[Ceylon Artillery|CA]] - former Commanding Officer, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, Ceylon Artillery & accused conspirator in the [[1962 Ceylonese coup d'état attempt|1962 coup d'état attempt]]
* [[Lieutenant Colonel]] Wilmot "Willie" S. Abrahams, [[Military Cross|MC]], [[Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire|MBE]], [[Ceylon Artillery|CA]] - former Commanding Officer, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, Ceylon Artillery & accused conspirator in the [[1962 Ceylonese coup d'état attempt|1962 coup d'état attempt]]
* [[Major]] [[Victor Gunasekara]], [[Ceylon Civil Service|CCS]] - former [[Comptroller|Controller]] of Imports Exports and [[Government Agent (Sri Lanka)|Government Agent]] of [[Kegalle]]
* [[Major (rank)|Major]] [[Victor Gunasekara]], [[Ceylon Civil Service|CCS]] - former [[Comptroller|Controller]] of Imports Exports and [[Government Agent (Sri Lanka)|government agent]] of [[Kegalle]]
* [[Lieutenant]] [[Ajantha Mendis]] - International Cricketer<ref>[http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080613_04 Soldier creating history in International cricket] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080702014712/http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080613_04 |date=2008-07-02 }}</ref>
* [[Lieutenant]] [[Ajantha Mendis]] - international cricketer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080613_04|title=Soldier creating history in International cricket| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080702014712/http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080613_04 |archive-date=2008-07-02 }}</ref>
* [[Bombardier (rank)|Bombardier]] [[Gratien Fernando]] - Leader of the [[Cocos Islands Mutiny]]
* [[Bombardier (rank)|Bombardier]] [[Gratien Fernando]] - leader of the [[Cocos Islands Mutiny]]


==Alliances==
==Alliances==
* {{IND}} - [[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]]
* {{GBR}} - [[Royal Artillery|Royal Regiment of Artillery]]
* {{GBR}} - [[Royal Artillery|Royal Regiment of Artillery]]


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}}
}}
{{Order of precedence |
{{Order of precedence |
before= [[Mechanized Infantry Regiment]] <br>(with armored vehicles) |
before= [[Mechanized Infantry Regiment]] <br />(with armored vehicles) |
title= [[Sri Lanka Army Order of Precedence|Order of Precedence]]<br> (with Guns)|
title= [[Sri Lanka Army Order of Precedence|Order of Precedence]]<br /> (with guns)|
after= [[Sri Lanka Engineers]]<br>(with engineering vehicles)
after= [[Sri Lanka Engineers]]<br />(with engineering vehicles)
}}
}}
{{S-end}}
{{S-end}}
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{{Sri Lanka Army Regiments}}
{{Sri Lanka Army Regiments}}


[[Category:Sri Lanka Army]]
[[Category:Sri Lanka Artillery|*]]
[[Category:Artillery units and formations|Sri Lanka Artillery]]
[[Category:Artillery units and formations|Sri Lanka Artillery]]
[[Category:Regiments of the Sri Lankan Army|A]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1888]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1888]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of Ceylon in World War II]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of Ceylon in World War II]]

Latest revision as of 13:54, 20 December 2024

Sri Lanka Artillery
Active12 April 1888 - present
136 years old
Country Sri Lanka
Branch Sri Lanka Army
TypeArtillery
RoleArtillery gun warfare
Size10 regular regiments,
2 volunteer regiments
Regimental HeadquartersPanagoda
Nickname(s)Gunners
Motto(s)On the Way to Justice and Glory
Colors   
MarchThe British Grenadiers
Anniversaries12 April
EngagementsSecond Boer War
World War I
World War II
1971 Insurrection
Insurrection 1987-89
Sri Lankan Civil War
Commanders
Colonel CommandantMaj Gen W A S S Wanasinghe RSP USP VSV ndc
Centre CommandantBrig B G S Fernando USP Hdmc psc
Brigade CommanderBrig S P Malawarage RSP USP IG
Regimental Sergeant MajorWO1 B M G G S A Basnayaka
Notable
commanders		Colonel F. C. de Saram OBE
Insignia
Flag

The Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA) is the artillery arm of the Sri Lanka Army. It is made up of ten regular regiments and two volunteer regiments. The SLA is headquartered at Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda.

The emblem of the SLA is modeled after that used by the Royal Artillery, but with the lion from both the flag and emblem instead of the crown, with the lion depicted holding the Kastane sabre.

Unlike other artillery units in the Commonwealth the SLA is entitled to a strand of Colours.

History

[edit]

Ceylon Artillery Volunteers

[edit]

The roots of the Sri Lanka Artillery goes back to 1888, when on 12 April 1888 the Ceylon Artillery Volunteers was formed as a gun battery under the command of Captain C.E.H Symons of the Royal Artillery to man a gun battery equipped with BL 12-pounder 6 cwt guns. By 1901 it numbered a strength of 162.[1] In 1910, its headquarters was moved to Galle Buck Road in Colombo Fort (which is now part of SLNS Parakrama). During World War I the Ceylon Artillery Volunteers were mobilised, along with the Town Guard Artillery of Colombo, for the defence of Colombo against German commerce raiders.

Ceylon Garrison Artillery

[edit]
A BL 6 inch gun, of the Ostenburg battery in Trincomalee

In 1918, the Ceylon Garrison Artillery (CGA) was formed by amalgamating the Ceylon Artillery Volunteers and the Town Guard Artillery, coming under the Ceylon Defence Force. During the colonial period the main responsibility of the Ceylon Garrison Artillery was to assist the Royal Artillery manning the coastal defence of Ceylon, by operating Coastal artillery batteries in Colombo and Trincomalee.

With the onset of World War II, the CGA was mobilised and expanded. The expansion saw the 1st Coast Regiment raising one field and four coast batteries. Heavy coastal batteries around Colombo at Battenburg, Galle Face and Mutwal were manned by the 1st Coast Regiment equipped with BL 9.2-inch guns and BL 6 inch Mk VII naval guns.[2] The 2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, was formed and headquartered in Trincomalee equipped with QF 3.7-inch AA guns, followed by the 3rd Searchlight/Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment based in Colombo equipped with 40mm Bofors guns. These formations defended Colombo and Trincomalee during the air attacks that occurred as part of the Indian Ocean raid by the Imperial Japanese Navy.[3][4] The CGA was also deployed overseas to support the Allied and Commonwealth forces in the Indian Ocean. A detachment of CGA was deployed in defence of the Seychelles and the Cocos Islands manning 6 inch Coastal Guns. There on the night of 8 May 1942, 30 out of 56 personnel of the CGA detachment on Horsburgh Island mutinied in what was known as the Cocos Islands mutiny. Following the mutiny, no combat units from Ceylon were deployed overseas, support units were deployed with Commonwealth forces. With the end of the war CGA was demobilized.

Ceylon Artillery

[edit]
A QF 3.7-inch AA gun as a gate guardian at the Artillery Complex in Minneriya

In 1948, Ceylon gained self-rule and the Ceylon Army was formed on 1 October 1949 under the Army Act of 1949 and the Ceylon Defence Force disbanded. The Ceylon Garrison Artillery became the Ceylon Artillery with some of its personal transferring to the regular force and others continuing as volunteers. That year the 1st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (HAA) of the Ceylon Artillery was formed under the command of Lt. Col. (later Colonel) F. C. de Saram, OBE equipped with 40 mm anti-aircraft guns and 3.7 inch heavy anti-aircraft guns at Rock House. The 2nd Volunteer Coastal Artillery / Anti-Aircraft Regiment was formed in 1949, under the command of Lt. Col. J.A.T. Perera, ED manning the BL 6 inch coastal guns, made up of officers and men of the Ceylon Garrison Artillery. In 1953 the 1st HAA was renamed the 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (LAA). In the same year the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment was formed equipped with ML 4.2-inch heavy mortars.

In 1962, an attempted military coup by senior military and police officers took place, with many officers of the Ceylon Artillery, including Colonel De Saram being implicated. The government purged military of officers and other ranks found to be associated with the coup. The Ceylon Artillery suffered badly, with the all three of its regiments being disbanded. Remaining officers and other ranks of the 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment and the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment were amalgamated to form the 4th Regiment, Ceylon Artillery on 26 April 1963, thus reducing the Ceylon Artillery to a single regiment. The coastal artillery batteries were decommissioned.

In April 1971, the Ceylon Army was mobilized to faced the 1971 JVP insurrection. Lacking field artillery, the 4th Regiment deployed its troops as infantry for counter insurgency operations until it received 14 76 mm mountain guns from Yugoslav and 30 85 mm Type 60 anti-tank guns from China. These were used to bombard insurgent holdouts.

Sri Lanka Artillery

[edit]

The CA was renamed in 1972 as the Sri Lanka Artillery when Ceylon became a republic. The 4th Regiment, Sri Lanka Artillery transitioned into a field artillery role as it decommissioned its anti-aircraft guns. Several years later the air defence role of the Sri Lankan military was taken over by the Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment, which it carries out to this day.

In 1980 a new volunteer regiment, the 5th (V) Artillery Regiment was formed from the 2nd Battalion of the Ceylon National Guard. With the onset of the Sri Lankan Civil War, SLA grew in size and added British Ordnance QF 25 pounder Mark III field guns to its inventory.[5] These were used in major military operations in the 1980s such as the Vadamarachchi Operation. 24 3.7-inch AA guns were in service till the early 1990s[6] New regiments were formed with new sources of weaponry in the 1990s and 2000s from China and the Czech Republic. With the escalation of the Sri Lankan civil war 85 mm Type 56 field guns, 122 mm howitzers, 152 mm gun-howitzers, 130 mm field guns and 120 mm mortars, 82 mm mortars were introduced, and in 2000 RM-70 Multiple rocket launchers were added, increasing SLA's firepower. Target acquisition was carried out to locate enemy guns using AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radars and SLC-2 Radar as counter-battery radars by its Independent Locating Battery.[7]

At present the Sri Lanka Artillery has nine regular regiments, two volunteer regiments and a regimental band. These units form the Artillery Brigade. During the civil war, SLA has provided fire support for almost all military operations carried out by the Sri Lanka Army. At times the SLA has deployed one regular (RFT) and two volunteer regiments in an infantry role to meet the shortage of infantry. In 2020, the SLA raised the 15th Drone Regiment for surveillance and target acquisition, deploying UAVs to monitor isolated areas during the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]

Units

[edit]
RM-70 multi barrel rocket launcher - Sri Lanka Artillery
122 mm artillery

Regular regiments

[edit]
  • 4th Field Regiment SLA - equipped with 122 mm Type 60 howitzers and 130 mm Type 59 field guns
  • 6th Field Regiment SLA - equipped with 122 mm Type 60 howitzers for operational duties
    • Ceremonial Saluting Battery - equipped ordnance QF 25 pounder field guns for firing salutes
  • 7th Light Regiment SLA - equipped with 120mm mortars
  • 8th Medium Regiment SLA - equipped with 130 mm Type 59 field guns
  • 9th Field Regiment SLA - equipped with 122 mm Type 54 howitzers
  • 10th Medium Regiment SLA - equipped with 152 mm Type 66 gun-howitzers
  • 11th Regiment SLA - Reinforcement Regiment (RFT) in infantry role
  • 14th Rocket Regiment SLA - equipped with RM-70 multiple rocket launcher
  • 15th UAV Regiment SLA - equipped with unmanned air vehicles
  • Independent Locating Battery - equipped with AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radars and SLC-2 Radars

Volunteer regiments

[edit]
  • 5th (Volunteer) Regiment SLA (Formed on 22 January 1980) - infantry role
  • 12th (Volunteer) Regiment SLA (Formed on 9 September 1990) - infantry role (Converted from 8 Sri Lanka National Guard)

Disbanded regiments

[edit]
  • 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment - 1963
  • 2nd Volunteer Coastal Artillery Regiment - 1963
  • 3rd Field Artillery Regiment - 1963
  • 16th Regiment SLA (RFT) - 2019

School of Artillery

[edit]

In 1957, an Instructor Gunnery (IG) section was formed under Chief Instructor Major B. I. Loyela for training on the use of anti-aircraft guns. On 16 September 1985, the IG section based at the Panagoda Cantonment was reorganized as the School of Artillery to facilitate the expansion of the Regiment of Artillery. It was moved to the Minneriya Garrison in October 1990.

Its programs include:

Officers
  • Artillery Senior Command Course
  • Officers' Long Gunnery Staff Course
  • Gun Position Officer Course
  • Forward Observation Officer Course
  • Young Officers Course
Other ranks
  • Long Gunnery and Staff Course
  • Basic Gun Course
  • Technical Assistants Course
  • Survey Course
  • Signal Course
  • Observation Post Assistant Course
  • Gun No 1 Course
  • Troop Leader Course
  • Locating Course
  • Assistant in Gunnery Long Course

Equipment

[edit]
A RM-70 multiple rocket launcher of the Sri Lanka Artillery
Type 66 152mm artillery
Ceremonial
Light artillery (mortars)
  • Type 86 (W86) 120 mm mortars[9]
Field artillery
Medium artillery
Rocket artillery
Surveillance & target acquisition

Notable members

[edit]

Alliances

[edit]

Order of precedence

[edit]
Preceded by Order of Precedence Succeeded by
Preceded by
Mechanized Infantry Regiment
(with armored vehicles)
 Order of Precedence
(with guns) 		Succeeded by
Sri Lanka Engineers
(with engineering vehicles)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Wright, Arnold (1999). Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 9788120613355.
  2. ^ "Ancient artillery gun discovered at Galle Face". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  3. ^ "The British Armies in World War Two: An Organisational History, vol 9: The Indian Army, part two: The Indian Army in the East, 1939-43". Archived from the original on 2 May 2007.
  4. ^ "Britain's strategic base in Ceylon World War II". Island. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  5. ^ Wickremesekera, Channa (2016). The Tamil Separatist War in Sri Lanka. Routledge. ISBN 9781317293859.
  6. ^ Jane's Land-based Air Defence 1992-93 (PDF). Jane's Information Group. p. 306.
  7. ^ Dhammika, KVP. "Chapter 02: Literature Survey" (PDF). uom.lk. University of Moratuwa. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Army sets up new Drone Wing under Artillery Regiment". Daily News. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  9. ^ "Chinese Defence Today - Type 86 120mm Mortar". Archived from the original on 7 May 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  10. ^ "Soldier creating history in International cricket". Archived from the original on 2 July 2008.
[edit]
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