The 1960s

SLASC Call Ups in the 1960s

  • April 1961: FP Satyagraha Campaign
  • Dec 1961:  CTB, Bank and Port Strikes
  • Jan 1966: Language Disturbances
  • Oct 1966: TAFII, Jaffna East
  • Oct 1967: TAFII, Jaffna East
  • Nov 1967: Mercantile Sector Strike
  • Oct 1968: TAFII, Silvaturai
  • Nov 1968: Public Servants Strike
  • Sept 1969: Petroleum Corp Strike
  • Oct 1969: TAFII, Jaffna East
  • Dec 1969: Port Strike

Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Camberly, UK

2/Lt Sirisoma Wijegunawadene was the last of four Service Corps officers to attend the Royal Military Academy (Sandhurst). He was part of Intake 28 (January 1960). After his Sandhurst term was over, 2/Lt Wijegunawardene was seconded to the British Army’s Royal Corps of Transport for an extra year where he played cricket for the British Army.

Diyatalawa early 60s: Major Pallage 2nd from left (later LT Col and CO of 2 SLASC). A WW2 era Willys jeep can be seen in the background.

Pistol range at Diyatalawa 2SLASC 1965. The pistols are Webleys (most likely the Mark IV variant that fired a .38 caliber bullet)

2 SLASC Diyatalawa 1965
SLASC TFAII Camp Silvaturai 1967
SLASC TFAII Camp Thalladi 1967
SLASC TFAII Camp Thalladi 1967

Rifle practice at shooting range at Diyatalawa. Guns are No.4 Mk2. Lee Enfields firing .303 caliber bullets. Range distance was about 100 yards (91 meters). Ammunition of that period used cordite, which was highly corrosive. Cleaning involved using a funnel to pour hot water through the barrel.


Task Force Anti Illicit Immigration (TFAII) camp at Iyakachchi near Elephant Pass (believed to have been taken in 1967) TAFAII commander was Col. David Raymond of SLLI. SLASC (V) was there in an infantry support role.  Gen. Attygalle, to left of of Gen Attygalle is Capt, Dudley Fernando and to the right of Gen Attygalle is Capt Siri Wijegunawardene.  

Task Force Anti Illicit Immigration (TFII) camp at Iyakachchi near Elephant Pass (believed to have been taken in 1967) Head of TAFAII detachment was Maj. David Raymond of SLLI. SLASC (V) was there in an infantry support role.  General Attygalle in middle and to the left of him is Capt Gregory, SALSC (V) Quartermaster, and a WW2 veteran. To the left of Captain Gregory is Capt Siri Wijetunge ADC to Gen. Attygalle. On right side is Col or Brig Maurice Jayaweera late CLI one time TAFII Commander and later Chief of Staff. In retirement he worked in the GF hotel .

Letter from Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake commending the armed forces for their services during the 1968 public services strike