Early 1980s
Combat Tracker Team
The Army identifies this team as an early precursor to the Special Forces formation.
Historical unit archive
Special Forces Regiment
Sri Lanka Army
A specialist Army formation whose history developed from an early combat-tracking team into a regiment.
Historical note
First regiment established in 1988
Photographic record
Images & memories
Background
Historical overview
The Sri Lanka Army's published commemorative history traces the formation's origins to an early Combat Tracker Team of two officers and 38 soldiers under Major Gamini Hettiarachchi. The team later became known as the Rapid Deployment Force.
The Army records 10 December 1988 as the establishment date of the 1st Regiment of Special Forces. Its development formed part of the Army's expansion of specialist capabilities during the conflict.
The regiment's history should be documented through official unit histories, commemorative publications and verified accounts from veterans. Public-facing pages should not disclose classified or unverified operational details.
Documented capabilities
Roles & responsibilities
- Specialist reconnaissance and field observation
- Special operations in support of wider military formations
- Specialized training and development of personnel
- Support to operations in difficult terrain
Historical milestones
A record through time
10 December 1988
First regiment established
The Army's commemorative account records the establishment of the 1st Regiment of Special Forces.
Further reading
Sources & references
This page is a historical archive. Where records are incomplete or disputed, claims should be attributed to their sources and should not be presented as independently confirmed facts.