Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was formed in 22 March 1990 . It is one of the foremost Infantry units in Sri Lanka . It is named after King Vijabahu ( 1055 - 1110 A . D ) . The first Colonel of the Regiment was then Brigadier WJVK Wimalarathna RWP RSP USP psc and the Regimental Centre Commandant was Lieutenant Colonel HSA Perera . On 23 April 1993 , the Regiment was relocated at Boyagane camp in Kurunegala District . Currently the Vijayabahu regiment is composed of 27 battalions . The first battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was established in 1988 . Presently among the VIR battalions there are 17 Regular Battalions , 9 Volunteer Battalions and Headquarter battalion . History . Newly constructed office building was declared open by Commander of the Army on 23 January 2010 . A colourful Moto racing track was reconstructed & the herbal plants were planted for the remembrance of the War heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in the Regimental premises under the guidance of present Regimental commander . This herbal garden attracts the hearts & minds of all who enter into Regimental premises . 655 Officers and 16501 Other Ranks of both regular and volunteer battalions presently serve in the Regiment . Starting from Mavil Aru to the last victorious Wanni Humanitarian Operation , all battalions played undisputed roles in the arena of tasks that were assigned to them , some of the VIR battalions were involved at critical and decisive moments during the volatile combat including the recovery of Velupillai Parbahakaran ’ s dead body by 4 VIR troops after the fierce fighting in the Nanthi Kadal lagoon . 2 . Training School Vijayabahu Infantry Training school was formed at Sinhavilluwaththa Puttlam on 15 January 1991 , first Chief Instructor was Maj Upali Fernando so for 62 recruit training courses were conducted & 13127 Nos of recruits were trained and distributed to various Regiments by the Training School . Nearly 300 recruits can be trained at a time . Also the special arms courses for officers & men were conducted in the school . 3 . Welfare activities The Regiment has death donation schemes for both Officers and Other Ranks to obtain Rs 50 , 000 . 00 for the demise a next of kin in the family . Buildings have been constructed to upgrade the accommodation of officers & mess . The Regiment Centre organizes the Vijayabahu Motocross , which is a popular annual motor racing event in the country . The Regiment has its own motor racing track , built in 1998 . The aim of the motocross is to generate funds to provide welfare facilities for the families of the Officers and Other Ranks Killed in action ( KIA ) and missing in action ( MIA ) It also aims to improve infrastructure facilities and rehabilitation work of the disabled soldiers as well as serving Officers and Other Ranks for a very worthy cause . 4 . Regiment Sport Activities 5 . Seva Vanitha Activities Further more the Seva Vanitha Branch of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment organized commemoration ceremonies for the families of the killed / missing officers and the Other Ranks of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment . The commemoration ceremonies were held for the families of Killed / Missing Officers and Senior non Commissioned officers on 3 July 2010 and 14 May 2011 respectively . The commemoration ceremony for Non Commissioned officers also will be held and this ceremony is schedule to be held yearly . During these ceremonies NOKS were planted herbal plants to commemorate their war heroes who made the supreme sacrifice for well being of the country . The herbal garden is being maintained by the Regiment . Moreover , the Seva Vanitha Branch of the Regiment has coordinated to build19 houses for the families of the Killed / Missing in action war heroes and the disabled of the Regiment after the Humanitarian Operation . Also the Seva Vanitha unit visits Ranaviru Sevana , Military Hospital , Mental Hospital Mullariyawa and donated gift parcels to the patients during the musical extravaganzas . 6 . Special Regimental Roles