The Special Forces Regiment (SF) (Sinhala: විශේෂ බලකාය Visēsha Balakāya;) is a special forces unit of the Sri Lanka Army. Founded in 1986 as a combat tracker team , it was established as a regiment in 1988, and later expanded into a brigade. The unit specialises in a number of roles including counter-terrorism, direct action and covert reconnaissance. Much like the British Army Special Air Service, much of the information about the SF is highly classified due to the secrecy and sensitivity of its operations.

This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2013)

Quick Facts Special Force Regiment, Active ...

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(s)	SF
Motto(s)	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	5 Parama Weera Vibhushanayas
Commanders
Brigade Commander, Special Forces Brigade	Brigadier Thushara Mahalekamge
Colonel of the Regiment	Major General W T W G IHALAGE
Notable commanders	General Mahesh Senanayake Major General G. Hettiarachchi Colonel A.F. Lafir Colonel Raj Vijayasiri Lieutenant Colonel J.A.L Jayasinghe Major J.Y Mohotti

Close

The Special Forces Regiment currently consists of four regular battalions organized into the Special Forces Brigade, under the operational command of I Corps forming its Special Operations Force along with the Commando Brigade.^[1]

With the escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War in the mid 1980's the Sri Lanka Army formed a "Combat Tracker Team" in 1985 to conduct direct action and covert reconnaissance against LTTE 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 Major Gamini Hettiarachchi from the Sri 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 the Gajaba 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 from South Africa. The 2 Special Forces Regiment (2 SF) was formed on 18 February 1994 at Monkey Bridge Camp in Trincomalee 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 in amphibious 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 the Battle 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 Colonel A. F. Lafir who was posthumously awarded the Parama 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 the Sea Tigers, it was soon re-tasked to carryout long-range penetration missions in deep into LTTE controlled areas. This resulted in the start of Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) concept in September 1996 with 3 SF based at Vavuniya under the command of Major Mahesh 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 in Maduru Oya under the command of Major J.P.C. Peiris support the demands of the new 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 of I Corps.^[2]

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.

• Colonel A.F. Lafir, PWV, RWP, RSP  † – Former Commanding Officer of the 1st Regiment Special Forces
• Lieutenant Colonel J.A.L Jayasinghe, PWV, WWV, RWP, RSP  † – Former Officer Commanding of M Sqn, 3rd Regiment Special Forces.
• Major Ajith Gamage, PWV, RWP, RSP  † – Former Officer Commanding of C Sqn
• Sergeant Sugath Chandrasiri Bandara, PWV  † - 2nd Special Forces Regiment
• Corporal K. Chandana, PWV  † - 3rd Special Forces Regiment

• Major General Gamini Hettiarachchi - Father of the Special Forces Regiment
• General Mahesh Senanayake - former Commander Of the Army and Special Forces Brigade Commander
• Major General Prasanna De Silva - Former Special Forces Brigade Commander
• Colonel Raj Vijayasiri, RWP, RSP - Founder of the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) Concept for Special Forces and former Special Forces Brigade Commander
• Major General Nirmal Dharmaratne -Former Special Forces Brigade Commander
• Brigadier Harendra Ranasinghe – Former Special Forces Brigade Commander
• Brigadier Sujeewa Senarathyapa – Special Forces Brigade Commander

• Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (Sri Lanka)
• Commando Regiment
• List of military special forces units

• The Perfect Soldier: Special Operations, Commandos, and the Future of U.S. Warfare by James F. Dunnigan^[4]