Trincomalee Garrison

Add links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Diyatalawa Garrison
Trincomalee, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka
TypeMilitary Base
Site information
Controlled bySri Lanka Armed Forces
Site history
In use???? – present
Garrison information
GarrisonGajaba Regiment

The Trincomalee Garrison is a common name used for collection of

natural harbor, it is one of the oldest military garrisons in Sri Lanka and has been occupied by the Portuguese, Dutch, French and the British. Known as Trincomalee Fortress during World War II.[1]

Trincomalee is home to the

SLAF China Bay and SLN Dockyard
are situated in close proximity to the town.

History

It is not known when Trincomalee started to function as harbor or gained military significance since the days of the ancient Sri Lankan Kings. The earliest known reference to the port of Gokanna is found in the

Panduvasdeva
, who landed at Gokanna and was subsequently enthroned at Upatissagama.

King

Dissawa (official) of the King of Kandy
in 1659. Hence, it was an important trade city between Sri Lanka and the outside world.

With the expansion of the Portuguese colonial possessions in the coastal areas, they built a fort in 1623 which was captured in 1639 by the Dutch. Known as Fort Fredrick it went through a phase of dismantling and reconstruction until was attacked and captured by the French in 1672. The French handed it back to the Dutch East India Company (VOC) at the Peace of Paris in 1784. In 1795 it was taken over by the British, and the British maintained a garrison till 1948. Trincomalee was the first land to be captured by the British who fought and defeated the Dutch, who did not want to surrender Ceylon as directed by the Prince of Orange, who took refuge in London after being defeated by the French republicans under Napoleon.

The importance of Fort Fredrick was due to Trincomalee's natural harbour. Through Trincomalee, it was believed a strong naval force could secure control of India's

British East India Company, the bungalow he resided in is known as Wellesley Lodge which is inside Fort Fredrick and now is the officer's mess of the 2nd (Volunteer) battalion of the Gajaba Regiment.[3]

Prior to the Second World War, the British built the

Indian Ocean Raid
.

Until 1957, Trincomalee was an important base for the Royal Navy and was home to many British people who were employed by the British Admiralty. In the early 1950s The British Government built groups of bungalows within the Fort specifically for their employees. These bungalows still exist and provide accommodation for soldiers of the Sri Lankan Army. One of the groups of bungalows was named Edinburgh Terrace. Children of the British residents attended a Royal Naval School which was part of the Naval Base.

The naval and air bases were taken over by Sri Lanka in 1957, today SLNS Tissa and SLN Dockyard are used by the

Security Forces Headquarters - East
in Trincomalee.

Trincomalee War Cemetery, is one of the six commonwealth war cemeteries in Sri Lanka, it is maintained by Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence on behalf of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The Navy Base is home to a naval museum called The Hoods Tower Museum. The name of the museum refers to a watchtower built on a hill commanding a 360-degree view of the harbor and the bay.

Training centers

Units

Units based in Trincomalee

Sri Lanka Army
Sri Lanka Navy
Sri Lanka Air Force

See also

References

  1. ^ The British Armies in World War Two: An Organisational History, vol 9:
  2. ^ Sumana Saparamadu (4 March 2007). "Trincomalee". www.amazinglanka.com. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  3. ^ Lalin's Column: Obrigado (Thank you) Portugal
  4. ^ First School of Logistics in the Army Founded; Maiden Course Inaugurated Archived 2011-05-21 at the Wayback Machine

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Trincomalee_Garrison&oldid=1108701838"