Unit Name: | Mechanized Infantry Regiment |
Dates: | 14 February 2007 - Present |
Country: | Sri Lanka |
Type: | Mechanized Infantry |
Size: | 4 regular battalions and 1 voluntary battalion |
Garrison: | Dambulla |
Garrison Label: | Regimental Centre |
Commander1: | Brig A M A Abeysinghe RWP RSP USP psc |
Commander1 Label: | Centre Commandant |
Commander2: | Brig J M A Jayasekara RSP USP |
Commander2 Label: | Brigade Commander |
Colonel Of The Regiment: | Maj Gen Chandana Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc https://alt.army.lk/mech/content/assumed-duties-newly-appointed-colonel-regiment-mechanized-infantry-regiment-0 |
Nickname: | MIR |
Motto: | ජවයෙන් පෙරමුණට (Sinhala: Forward with Vigor) |
Identification Symbol Label: | Flag |
Battles: | Sri Lankan Civil War |
Notable Commanders: | Field Marshal Sarath FonsekaGeneral Jagath Jayasuriya Maj Gen Milinda Peiris Maj Gen Priyanka Fernando |
Anniversaries: | 14 February |
The Mechanized Infantry Regiment (MIR) is a mechanized infantry regiment of the Sri Lanka Army. It is made up of four regular battalions and a volunteer battalion. Establish in 2007 by Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka its battalions are equipped with Type 63 and WZ551 armoured personnel carriers make up the Mechanized Infantry Brigade. It is the youngest Infantry regiment of the Army.
thumb|Norinco Type 89 (YW534) Armored Fighting Vehicle of MIRThe Mechanized Infantry Regiment was raised on the battlefield on 14 February at the divisional headquarters of the 53 Division at Kodikamam, Jaffna in order for the army to have specialized mechanized infantry units to deploy in battle, instead of using regular infantry along with armoured personnel carriers as it had done before. Three battalions where formed with officers and men from 3rd Light Infantry Battalion, 10th Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, the 4th Gajaba Battalion and 5th & 6th Reconnaissance Regiments of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps.[1]
The 53-4 brigade which is made up of the newly formed battalions has since been designated as the Mechanized Infantry Brigade.[2]