A Tribute to Our Ancestors who Served in Distant Lands (Video) – දුර බැහැර රටවල සේවය කළ අපේ මුතුන් මිත්තන්ට උපහාරයක් (වීඩියෝවක්)

In addition to the Ceylon Defence Force, Sri Lankan soldiers served directly in British Army units in Europe, Middle East and South East Asia. They were attached to the Royal Army Service Corps, Royal Engineers, Pioneer Corps, and other British units. The following figures reflect an estimate as of 1943.

Sri Lankan Soldiers in Egypt in 1943

Recruitment Poster for Sri Lankans Wishing to Join the Royal Army Service Corps

Photo Credit: Lankaweb September 2nd, 2017 “War that changed Sri Lanka and the world By Janaka Perera”
During WW2, most Sri Lankans serving with British units such as the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC), served outside Sri Lanka. However, a smaller number served in Sri Lanka too. According to this troop strength document from August 1944, 902 Ceylonese Other Ranks (CORs) served in Sri Lanka as part of Ceylon Command.
Anton and Kenneth Edema’s father who served with the RASC in WW2 Cocos, Diego Garcia, Burma, Middle East and Burma. He ended the war in UK and was able to witness the Victory in Europe Day.
Captain LA Perera featured in the Sunday Observer Feb 14 1979. The newspaper cutting was kindly provided by one of his family members