Active	1 April 1881 – Present[1]
Country	Sri lanka
Branch	Sri Lanka Armed Forces
Type	Army
Role	Foreign and Domestic Defense
Size	276,700[2]
Part of	Ministry of Defence
Military Headquarters	Army Headquarters, Colombo
Motto	Latin: Pro Patria "For Country"
Anniversaries	October 9
Engagement	World War II 1971 JVP Insurrection 1987–89 JVP Insurrection Sri Lankan Civil Wa History   Ancient and pre-colonial times The first military engagements in Sri Lankan history were marked by the advent of King Vijaya, a Bengal prince who landed along with his followers on the beaches of northwestern Sri Lanka around 543 BC. Prince Vijaya and his followers occupied the lands of the native Veddah people. Repeated incursions by South Indians, particularly the Cholas, into Sri Lankan territory occurred throughout the next few centuries and led to the engagement of the rival forces in battle.[8] In one famous encounter, Sinhalese King Dutugemunu (200 BC) raised an army of eleven thousand inhabitants in his battle against the Chola invader King Elara, whom he eventually defeated. King Dutugemunu's organizational skills, bravery and chivalry are famous and his battles have gone down in history as outstanding offensive operations.[9] Other Sri Lankan rulers whose military achievements stand out include King Gajabâhu (113 AD), who sailed to India to bring back his captured soldiers, and King Dhatusena (433) who is credited with repulsing numerous Indian invasions and for organizing a naval build-up to deter seaborne attacks. He also had the foresight to cover his defenses with artillery. Vijayabâhu I (1001) was another warrior king who dislodged Indian invaders and united the country. Parakramabahu the Great (1153) was an outstanding monarch of the Polonnaruwa period of Sri Lankan history, and his accomplishments as a military leader and a great administrator are noteworthy. His reign included a military expedition to Burma (Myanmar) in retaliation for indignities inflicted on his envoys and Burmese interference in the elephant trade. This marked the first overseas expedition in Sri Lankan military history. It is also reported that Parakramabahu's fame was such that his assistance was sought by South Indian rulers who were involved in internecine struggles. Another strong ruler in the pre-colonial era was Parâkramabâhu VI, who defeated Indian invaders, united the island and ruled it from capital Sri Jayawardhanapura, Kotte.[9] Although the known epigraphical records do not indicate that the Sri Lankan rulers had a full-time standing army at their disposal, there is evidence supported by legend, designation, name, place and tradition that prove there were 'stand-by' equestrian, elephant, and infantry divisions to ensure royal authority at all times. Militias were raised as the necessity arose, and the soldiers returned to their pursuits, mainly for farming, after their spell of military duty   Name Headquarters Subunits Armoured Corps Rock House Army Camp, Colombo Eight regular regiments and a volunteer regiment. Artillery Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda Seven regular regiments and two volunteer regiments. Engineers Army Headquarters, Colombo Six regular regiments and one volunteer regiment. Signals Corps Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda Seven regular regiments and one volunteer regiment with Signals workshop and Information Technology Unit (11 SLSC) Light Infantry Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda Seventeen regular battalions, Nine volunteer battalions. Sinha Regiment Ambepussa Camp, Ambepussa Seven regular battalions, five volunteer battalions and a headquarters battalion. Gemunu Watch Kuruwita Army Camp, Ratnapura Nine regular units, four volunteer units. Gajaba Regiment Saliyapura Camp, Anuradhapura Twelve regular battalions and five volunteer battalions. Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment Boyagane Camp, Kurunegala Eight regular battalions and four volunteer battalions. Mechanized Infantry Regiment N/A four regular battalions and one volunteer battalions. President's Guard Classified Classified Commando Regiment Ganemulla, Gampaha Four regular regiments. Special Forces Regiment Seeduwa, Gampaha Three regular regiments. Military Intelligence Corps Polhengoda, Colombo Two regular battalions. Engineer Services Regiment Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda Three regular regiments and a volunteer regiment. Service Corps Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda six regular units and one volunteer unit. Medical Corps Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda Four regular units and one volunteer unit. Ordnance Corps Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda Three regular ordnance battalions and one volunteer ordnance battalion. Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Slave Island, Colombo Three regular regiments and one volunteer regiment. Corps of Military Police Polhengoda, Colombo Six regular regiments. General Service Corps Panagoda Cantonment, Panagoda Three regular unit and a volunteer unit. With 3 & 4 SLAGSC (Pay & Recored) Women's Corps Regtl Centre, Borella Two regular unit and 5 volunteers unit. Rifle Corps Army Headquarters, Colombo Two volunteer battalions. Pioneer Corps Headquarters, Battharamulla, Pelawattha. One volunteer unit. 32 volunteer battalions.