Rajarata Rifles

National Service Regiment
Active	1954–1983
Country	Sri Lanka
Branch	Sri Lanka Army
Role	Infantry
Engagements	1971 JVP Insurrection

The Rajarata Rifles was a former rifle regiment of the Sri Lanka Army. Raised along with Ruhunu Regiment, it was one of only three geographically based regiments in the Sri Lanka army. The cap badge of the Raja Rata Rifles show the figure of a Bherunda Pakshiya (Double-headed eagle).

The regiment saw action in the 1971 JVP Insurrection. In 1983, following a mutiny the regiment was disbanded with the its remianing officers and men amalgamated with the 1st Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment in 1983 to form the Gajaba Regiment.

Notable members

Lieutenant Colonel Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, RWP, RSP, GR – Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law & Order
Major General Kamal Gunaratne - former General Officer Commanding, 53 Division

Regiments and corps of the Sri Lanka Army

Combat Arms	Armoured Corps Light Infantry Sinha Regiment Gemunu Watch Gajaba Regiment Vijayabahu Regiment Mechanized Infantry Commandos Special Forces Rifle Corps National Guard

Support Arms	Artillery Engineers Signals Corps

Support Services	Military Intelligence Engineer Services Regiment Service Corps Medical Corps Ordnance Corps Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps of Military Police General Service Women's Corps Pioneer Corps

Disbanded	Ceylon Mounted Rifles Ceylon Planters Rifle Ceylon Railway Engineer Ceylon Rifle Colombo Town Guard National Service Regiment Post and Telegraph Signals Rajarata Rifles Ruhunu Regiment President's Guard

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