Colombo Town Guard
This article includes a improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (March 2013) ) |
Colombo Town Guard | |
---|---|
Active | 1914–1918, 1939–1949 |
Country | Ceylon |
Branch | Ceylon Defence Force |
Type | Militia |
Role | Infantry, artillery |
Part of | British Army |
Garrison/HQ | Colombo |
Engagements | World War I World War II |
Colombo Town Guard was a regiment attached to the Ceylon Defence Force which was the predecessor to the Sri Lanka Army prior to 1949 when the Ceylon Army was formed. It was a volunteer (reserve) regiment was based in Colombo.
History
The Town Guard regiment was mobilized only on two occasions, these were during
When formed in both 1914 and 1939 the primary task of the regiment was the defence of Colombo from enemy invasion and had the secondary task of protecting the British control over the colony. In 1915 during the Sinhalese-Moor Riots the Town Guard was called to restore public order with authorization to summarily execute anyone they deemed to be a rioter during the 100-day long period of martial law in the colony.[1][2]
Town Guard Artillery
This was the artillery element formed to support the Colombo town guard formed at the outset of
Recent years
In 2006 due to the
Notable members
- Prime Minister of Ceylon.
- JP(29 December 1893 – 23 August 1984) – Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) lawyer, politician, diplomat and philanthropist. He was the former Cabinet Minister of Trade, Senator, member of parliament and the state council. He had also served as Ceylon's High Commissioner to Pakistan.
- Captain Henry Pedris– prominent figure executed by the British.
- Sir Oliver Goonetilleke – Governor-General of Ceylon
See also
References
- ISBN 0-226-78950-0.
- ISBN 0-253-34420-4.
External links and sources