1. One of the most distinguished field commanders in Sri Lanka, Vijaya Wimalaratne raised the Gajaba Regiment.
22 Facts About Vijaya Wimalaratne
1. 2.
Vijaya Wimalaratne joined the Ceylon Army as an Officer Cadet in August 1962 and underwent training at the Indian Military Academy, in Dehradun as part of the first batch of four Ceylonese cadets sent to Dehradun.
3.
Vijaya Wimalaratne served till 1979 becoming the Chief Instructor of the Army Training Center, having introduced training on urban warfare and counter-insurgency.
4.
In 1976, Major Vijaya Wimalaratne served as the liaison officer to the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi when she took part in the Non-Aligned Summit in Colombo.
5.
Vijaya Wimalaratne attended the British Army Staff College at Camberley.
6.
In 1983, Major Wimalaratne was appointed as the first commanding officer of the Gajaba Regiment when it was formed on 14 October 1983 with the amalgamation of the Rajarata Rifles and Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment at the Saliyapura Army Camp.
7.
Vijaya Wimalaratne served as the commanding office the 1st Gajaba Battalion from its formation in October 1983 to August 1987.
8.
Colonel Vijaya Wimalaratne was one of the field commanders of the operation, serving as the Brigade Commander of the 1st Brigade which consisted of the 1st Gemunu Watch and 1st Gajaba Battalion.
9.
Colonel Vijaya Wimalaratne was appointed Commander, Garrison Command - Colombo; in charge of defense of the capital in late 1987.
10.
Vijaya Wimalaratne held both posts until the insurrection was subdued in late 1989 with the capture of the leader of the JVP.
11.
In June 1990, the LTTE laid siege around Jaffna Fort and Vijaya Wimalaratne played a major role in evacuating the garrison.
12.
In January 1991, Brigadier Vijaya Wimalaratne succeeded Brigadier Jaliya Nanmuni as Brigade Commander, 21 "Jaffna" Brigade.
13.
In July 1992, Major General Denzil Kobbekaduwa who was now General Officer Commanding Northern Sector and Brigadier Vijaya Wimalaratne who was the Commander, 21 "Jaffna" Brigade, began planning an offensive code named "Operation Final Countdown" to recapture the northern peninsula from the LTTE.
14.
Brigadier Vijaya Wimalaratne was killed instantly along with Commodore Mohan Jayamaha, Commander Northern Naval Area and seven others including Commander Asanga Lankathilaka, Lt.
15.
Vijaya Wimalaratne's remains were brought to Colombo and kept at his brother's residence for mourning.
16.
Vijaya Wimalaratne was posthumously promoted to the rank of major general.
17.
General Vijaya Wimalaratne is considered as the founder of the Gajaba Regiment and one of the finest field commanders of the Sri Lanka Army.
18.
Televised, the commissioned became a media sensation and a statue of Vijaya Wimalaratne was destroyed by a mob.
19.
Vijaya Wimalaratne had been awarded the Rana Wickrama Padakkama and Rana Sura Padakkama for gallantry and the Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal, Army 25th Anniversary Medal, President's Inauguration Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, Vadamarachchi Operation Medal and the Purna Bhumi Padakkama.
20.
Vijaya Wimalaratne was posthumously awarded Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya, Uttama Seva Padakkama and Desha Putra Sammanaya.
21.
Major General Vijaya Wimalaratne was married to Manel Wimalaratne and they had a two sons and a daughter.
22.
Vijaya Wimalaratne's son Dr Hiran Wimalaratne, is a Colonel in the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps and his daughter Dr Nishanthi Wimalaratne serves in the Cardio-logical Unit of the Colombo General Hospital.