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Thrice Blessed The Colours of

‘The Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers’
(Now the 2nd (Volunteer Battalion, The Sri Lanka Light Infantry)

By

Lt.Col. A.E.R. Abeyesinghe,

2/Lt. B.S. de Silva and 2/Lt. A.E. Edema

First Published 2019

ISBN 978-624-95394-0-2
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INTRODUCTION

“So soon as man passes from the lowest stage of barbarism the
necessity for some special sign, distinguishing man from man (i.e.
individual desire), tribe from tribe, nation form nation, makes itself
felt; and this prime necessity once met, around the chosen symbol
spirit-stirring memories quickly gather that endear it, and make it the
emblem of power and dignity of those by whom it is borne. The
painted semblance of grizzly bear, or beaver, or rattlesnake, as on the
canvas walls of the tepi of the prairie brave, the special chequering of
Colours that compose the tartan of the Highland clansman, are
examples of this; and as we pass from individual or local tribe to
mighty nations, the same influence is at work …… all alike appeal with
irresistible force to the patriotism of those borne within its folds, and
speak to them of the glories and greatness of the historic past, the
duties of the present, and the hopes of the future – inspiring those
who gaze upon their proud blazonry with the determination to be no
unworthy sons of their fathers, but to live, and if needs be to die for
……… of which these are the symbol.” (Hulme – “Flags of the World”)

The precise origin of the term “Colours” as applicable to Military

Colours of the Infantry has not been established; early references have
however been made to the work in the relevant context in 1591, 1598
and 1622 .A standard was the largest of the numerous flags flown in
Armies in the Middle ages. It is a flag made to stand as opposed to
being carried – Square in shape; Regiments of the Household Cavalry
have always borne them.

The term “Guidon”, derived from the old French “guydhomme” has
always been swallow - tailed and is regarded as being junior to a
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standard. In medieval times superior Knights bore a square standard

in the field, and those of a lesser degree bore a Guidon. In the event
of one of the latter performing some heroic service which was brought
to the notice of the Sovereign, it so happened that he was elevated to
the superior class by having the tails cut off his Guidon, thereby
converting it to a Standard. The Household Cavalry and Dragoon
Guards carry Standards, while the junior Dragoons carry Guidons.

“A moth eaten rag on a worm eaten pole,

It does not look likely to stir a man’s Soul.

‘Tis the deeds that were done, ‘neath the moth eaten rag

When the pole was a staff and the rag was a flag.”

(Sir Edward Hamley)

“Regimental Colours are the memorials to the great deeds of a

Regiment and the symbol of its spirit as expressed in those deeds.
When Colours were carried on active service, acts of heroic self-
sacrifice were often performed in their defence, for they were the
rallying point of a regiment and the scene of its last stand. From this
association with deeds of epic gallantry has evolved that attitude of
veneration which Colours have acquired. An expression of this attitude
may be seen in the Service of Consecration which attends their
Commencing Service, the Salutes accorded to them during service, and
the laying-up Service when they are retired.”

(T.G. Edwards: “Standards Guidons and Colours of The

Commonwealth Forces.”)
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The deep veneration, much akin to an obsessive religious fervour, in

which Colours were held, is seen in the fact that in the 18th and 19th
centuries the Colours were sometimes passed over the head of an
erring soldier to remove from him the infamy a crime may have
brought on him. “In the army of the Prince
of Orange it was customary to sentence a deserter to be chained to a
wheelbarrow and works at the public works for a term of years, after
which, if he had conducted himself well, he was returned to his
regiment, and the man kneeling, the Colours were waved over his
head, the Colonel pronounced him an honest man, and he was
received into the ranks and got his arms.”

(Journal of the Society of Army Historical Research IV.59).

“…….. the prison doors were to be opened and the prisoners set free,
but there was one unfortunate man whose crime was so great, that it
required something extraordinary to be done, before he could be
purged for his guilt ………. it was Sergeant Harrison ……….. The Colonel
lectured poor H ………. After a little consideration, he shouted out, ‘is
there none can advise me in this important affair?’…….. all were silent
….. the Colours were brought to the middle of the square, the tops put
together, thus forming a kind of arch. ‘Now H …………,’ said the Colonel,
‘pass uncovered under those honourable Colours.’ This done he shouts
out, ‘He’s half clean, he must pass under them again, let the Colours
touch him this time, now his crime he’s blotted out for ever, he is
regimented…..”

(The letters of Private Wheeler 1809-1828).

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The Regimental pride, honour, conduct, courage, bravery, and

sacrifice, Colours have stimulated and stirred in those serving under
them are seen in the following extracts.

“Then a small childlike youth came forward before the throng, carrying
a Colour. This was young Anstruther. He carried the Queens Colour of
the Royal Welsh. Fresh from the games of English School life, he ran
fast; for heading all who strove to keep up with him, he gained the
redoubt, and dug the butt end of the Flagstaff into the parapet, and
these for a moment he stood, holding it tight and taking breath. Then
he was shot dead, but his small hands still clasping for flagstaff, drew
it down along with him, and the crimson silk lay covering the boy with
its folds; but only for a moment, because William Evans, a swift footed
soldier, ran forward gathered up the flag and raising it proudly made
claims to the Great Redoubt ….. on behalf of the ‘Royal Welsh’. The
Colours floating high in the air, and seen by our people far and near,
kindled in them a raging love for the ground where it stood. Breathless
men found speech”.

(Extract from “The Invasion of the Crimea” by A.W. Kinglace. Vol II).

“It was at Albuhera that the Middlesex Regiment gained their

important sobriquet of the “Die Hards”…. The Regimental Colour was
riddled by a score of bullets, and the staff of the Kings Colour had been
smashed by almost as many. Colonel William Inglis at the head of the
57th had been a target for French marksmen from the outset and,
although his horse was shot under him he continued on foot quite
undismayed. Fresh officers came forward and carried the Colours,
upon which the dwindling Regiment closed in, and at last the gallant
Inglis received a severe wound as he stood in front of the Colours. He
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refused to be moved to have the wound dressed, but as the enemy

attacks grew fiercer he lay on the ground and encouraged those
around him by shouting “Die Hard, 57th, die hard”.

So long as Colours were carried in battle, the forecast fighting always

centered round them and to have them captured was the worst loss a
Regiment could suffer. Many gallant deeds have been performed in
saving the Colours. At the Battle of Ishandlwana (22nd January 1879)
during the Zulu War, Lieutenants T. Melvil and N.J.A. Coghill of the 24th
Regiment gave away their lives to save the Colour from the hands of
the enemy. The practice in the British Army of leaving the Colours
behind on taking the field dates from that tragedy at Ishandlwana.

When reading the names of battles emblazoned on Regimental

Colours one can visualize the courage, determination, patience,
endurance, self-sacrifice, selflessness and dedication that have been
exercised in their honour and in their name and the service, in
whichever it might have been , their honour and in their name and the
service, in whichever it might have been, that had earned them that
honour. Though now no longer carried in battle, each set of Colours
will now either be a token of lasting appreciation of such selflessness
or patriotism tradition or courage or devotion or all, so singularly
deserving honour and distinction, or like the heir to a great family
inheriting the traditions, the glory and honour acquired by its
predecessors.

Colours now in their silent unseen presence in battle still lives with
those who serve under them …… to honour the traditions and services
that deserved their Colours …. to stimulate and spur them on to
greater courage and valour and selflessness ……. in every way they
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serve ….. in war , or, in peace. So, Military Colours remain an

embroidered record of the Regiment’s service; title badges, motto and
badge honours, all are there; each work and symbol, a syrup of history
and tradition – the very Heart of the Regiment, the Crux and very Core
of its Life and Honour.

When the first light of civilization was breaking, the Britons used some
crude imitation of a bird or animal as its ensign, the Roman legions
carried beautiful eagles long after the golden standards of Nineveh.
The Children of Israel had their tribal ensigns –“Every man of the
children of Israel shall pitch by his own standards with the Ensign of
their fathers’ house.” These were all a rudimentary form of distinction,
of one from another, and a visible and recognizable symbol to rally
round.

By the middle of the 11th century much of the warrior’s body and his
horse was covered, and with the likeness in such forms of protection,
recognition was difficult in the heat of battle. To circumvent this
confusion, banners and pennons began to emerge, each bearing
various devices or signs. Historians often refer to the famous Bayeux
Tapestry depicting the Battle of Hastings (1066) where at least thirty
such different signs could be recognized.

During the 13th century the nobility went into battle covering their
bodies and horses in defensive armour, making identification still
more difficult. Consequently “Men wore the ensigns of Heraldry about
their persons, embroidered upon the garments that partially covered
their armour – and so they called them Coat-of-Arms; they bore these
same ensigns on their Shields – and they called them Shields – of Arms;
and in their armorial Banners and Pennons they again displayed the
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very same insignia, floating in the wind high above their heads, from
the shafts of their lances”. (Charles Boutell: “English Heraldry”) It is
from these banners carrying ensigns of heraldry that Regimental
Colours are directly derived.

A period of standardization of Colours began to emerge towards the

end of the 16th century when continental armies were following a
systemized arrangement. Each Unit had its Standard (Cavalry) and
Colour (Infantry) and all in each regiment were of the same pattern.

Markham, in his “Five Decades of Epistles of Warre”, published in

1522, goes on to state his Rules for Captain’s Colour, a Colonel’s
Colour , the Colonel-General’s and Lord Marshall’s Colour. The rules
made attempts to maintain certain uniformity with distinctions, by
way of device or Colour, blazoned as the Colour for each rank.

“He ought to have all the Colours of his Regiment to be alike both in
Colour and in fashion to avoid confusion so that the soldiers may
discern their own Regiment from other Troops; likewise, every
particular Captains of his Regiment may have small distinctions in their
Colours; as their Armies, or some Emblem, or the like so that one
Company may be discerned from the other”. (Ward: Animadversions
of Warre – published 1639)

The parliamentary “New Model Army” was formed in 1645 and

Colours were regulated according to the Rules laid down by Markham
and Ward.

Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660 and soon the Army of the
Commonwealth began to be disbanded. One standard per Troop of
Cavalry and one Colour for each Company of Infantry followed during
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this period. A certain Royal Warrant issued during this period endowed
the Regiment of Foot Guards “to have distinctions of some of Our
Royal Badges, painted in Oil” on twelve Colours or Ensigns of the
Regiment.

During this period Colonels practically owned their Regiments and

they appear to have used portions of their arsenal arms on the
Colours; and sometimes these badges and crests changed when the
Colonels changed.

In 1707 the infantry arm was reorganized, each battalion fighting in

three divisions for tactical purpose – pike men, musketeers and
grenadiers. Though Markham’s and Ward’s rules were more or less
still followed, this reorganization resulted in the Colours in a Battalion
being reduced to three – perhaps to those of the three senior officers,
the Colonel’s, the Lieutenant Colonel’s and the Major’s.

The introduction of the Regulations of 1747 in respect of “Colours,

clothing of Drummers, Grenadier Caps, Drums, Belts of Arms and
Camp – Colours of the Marching Regiment of foot” brought to an end
what remained of the personal aspect of Colonels upon Colours of
Regiments, and the operation of the rules laid down by Markham and
Ward. The opening paragraphs lay down the “No Colonel will put his
Arm, Crest, Device or Livery on a part of the Appointments of the
Regiment” and that “No part of the Clothing or Ornaments of the
Regiment be altered ……. but by His Majesty’s permission” and they
continued to lay down that “No part of the or Ornaments of the
Regiment be altered ….. but by His Majesty’s permission” and they
continued to lay down that
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“Kings or First Colour of every Regiment or Battalion is to be the Great

Union. The Second Colour to be the Colour of the Facing of the
Regiment with the Union in the Upper Canton, except those Regiments
which are faced with White or Red , whose Second Colour is to be the
Red Cross of St. George on a White ground and the Union in the Upper
Canton”. The Second Colour was popularly known as the Regimental
Colour, but it was only in 1844 that the name was officially recognized.

Of the Second Colour, the Regulation goes on to say:

“In the Centre of each Colour is to be painted or embroidered in gold

Roman Characters the number of the Rank of the Regiment within a
Wreath of Roses and Thistles on the same Stalk; except the Regiments
which have Royal Badges or particular ancient Badges allowed them;
in these the number of the Rank of the Regiment is to be towards the
upper corner”.

When Ireland joined the Union, and was so proclaimed in 1801, the
Shamrocks of Ireland joined the roses and thistles to form the Union
Wreath.

Rifles Regiments, by virtue of their original employment as scouts or

skirmishers, where insconspicvity and stealth in movement was so
essential do not carry Colours. It is a proud tradition of the Royal
Artillery that their guns are their Colours. The guns became the Colours
of the Regiment through the practice in its early history of carrying the
equivalent of today’s Queen’s Colour in the largest piece in an Artillery
train, which was designated the ‘Flag Gun’. The Flag Gun was used until
the end of the 18th century and after this period the Guns themselves
became to be regarded as the Colours of the Artillery. When on parade
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on Ceremonial Occasions, the guns are accorded the same

compliments as for the Standards, Guidons and Colours. On non-
Ceremonial occasions they are always treated with dignity and
respect.

The reduction of the number of Colours to two per Battalion has

remained to the present day. Royal Warrants and Regulations have
been published since, but they have only introduced modifications in
point of detail to the broader instructions in regard to the general form
and design.

The sizes of Colours have varied from 6ft. 6ins. wide and 6ft. 2ins,
depth on the lance or Pike according to the 1747 Regulations at
Windsor, and rests at 3ft. 9ins. wide and 3ft. (exclusive of the fringe)
deep on the pike as laid down in the Clothing Regulations of 1936.

The adornment of Colours for the Infantry with fringes dates back to
1858, when the reduced size of the Colours was considered to have “a
poor effect on parade”, and Her Majesty sanctioned the addition of a
silk and gold fringe – “The Border for the Queen’s Colour is to be of
crimson silk and gold, and that for the Regimental Colour of the Facing
of the Corps and gold.” The Queens Regulation of 1873 states that the
depth of the fringe is to be about 2 inches.

The Infantry Colour Pikes are said to have always been of a plain
character, with a sharp spear head, though somewhat ornamental.
The head of lances and pikes underwent a change in 1858 when the
Royal Crest displaced the spear point. The pattern of the Infantry
Colour pike has varied from the 1768 clothing Warrant when it was 9ft.
10ins. (including spear and ferril), to 8ft. 71/2 ins. (including the Royal
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Crest) as laid down in the Clothing Regulations Part I of 1936. Before

1857 it was the practice for the Colonel of the Regiment to provide
Standards, Guidons or Colours for his Regiment if it were authorized
to carry them.

It is interesting to note that during this period, the Colonel sometimes

kept the Colours himself or had it disposed in such manner as he
wished. At the surrender of Saratoga (1777) Col. Hill of the 9th
Regiment stripped the Colours off their Stave, Secured them in his
baggage and presented it to the King on his return to England. The king
did not retain them but handed them back to Hill. The Colours of the
37th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry (on disbandment in 1822)
were with its Commandant, Colonel Claridge, who gave instructions
that they should be buried in his grave. He died in 1899 and the Colours
were buried with him. In 1828 the King’s Colour of the 4th King’s own
was presented to an Officer who married the daughter of the Colonel
of the Regiment, as a wedding present. The Colours of the 2nd Battalion
King’s Regiment (8th Foot ) prior to disbandment was brought to the
Officers’ Mess and cut up, each officer scrabbling dementedly to
possess a precious fragment. The pikes were cut up and burnt and the
ashes put into a vessel and buried. This propriety came to an end in
1855. The Queens Regulations lay down that “Previously to sending to
the War Office requisitions for new standards of Colours, application
is to by Authority”. The Army Clothing Regulations of 1857, para 64,
states “Colours will be supplied in infantry regiments and Standards
and Guidons to Heavy Cavalry upon requisition addressed to the
Secretary of State for War…….”

The Clothing Regulations of 1898 lay down that Standards Guidons and
Colours when replaced remain the property of State and should be
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deposited in some Church or other public building. It lays down further

that no one is entitled to sell old Standards, Guidons or deal with them
in any other way. Para 940 of the Kings Regulations (Reprint 1945)
while indicating where old Standards, Guidons and Colours should be
reposed when they are retired, further elaborated that “they will not
be otherwise disposed of without War Office Sanction. In no
circumstances will they be sold or allowed to pass into the possession
of an individual…..”

In ancient times the selection of an ensign bearer was of much

importance until developing weaponry made him an easy prey to the
muskets, when Colours were finally left behind when regiments took
to battle in the field. The Standard bearer of the ancient Egyptians was
an officer of approved valour. The Chinese book of War (5th Century
BC translated by Major E.F. Calthrop RFA) says banners and standards
are given to the strong; the standard bearer in the Roman Army was
one of the Centurions’ assistants. Carrying the Colours became one of
those duties in which the name of the office transferred to the person
who attends to it. Hence ensign a “flag”, became ensign a “rank”. It is
conjectured by historians on Military Colours that the word “Ensign” is
derived from the French “ensigne” from the Latin for a military
standard, viz ‘Insignia’ .Ward in his book “Animadversions of Warre”
(published 1639) makes the following remarks “I could wish our Noble
Captaines would be pleased to be more circumspect in their election
of Officers, and not put undeserving fellows of base birth and qualitie
into place of command, which deserves Gentlemen of qualitie to
officiate, the office of Ensinge being a place of repute and honour,
doth not suite every yeoman, Taylor or Fidler……….”
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In 1681 the Honourable Artillery Company laid down that none under
the degree of Captain was to carry its Colours, in 1689 it stipulated that
none under the degree of Captain-Lieutenant or member of the Court
of Assistants was to carry them.

The Regulations of 1868 stated “The Colours of the Infantry are,

whenever practicable to be carried by two senior Ensigns. In 1870 the
rank of Ensign was abolished. The 1873 Regulations concerning
Colours says “The Colours of the Infantry are as a rule to be carried by
the two junior lieutenants. This remained unchanged in the
Regulations of 1881 and 1885 but those in 1889 laid down that “The
Colours of the Infantry are, as a rule, to be carried by the two senior
second lieutenants”. In 1898 this was elaborated to “but on the line of
March all subaltern offices will carry them in turn”.

The rank of ‘Colour Sergeant’ was introduce by a General Order dated

6th July 1813 which stated “It is His Royal Highness’s a Pleasure that
the duty of attending the Colours shall be at all times performed by
these Sergeants”.

There are many ceremonies associated with the Colours. In sequence,

they are The Ceremony of Presentation of Colours, The Ceremony of
the Consecration of Regimental Colours, The Ceremonial of lodging
and trooping the Colour, and the Disposal of Old Colours and the
Ceremony of “laying-up’.

Some kind of recognized formality had existed in the very early times
when Colours were presented usually then, by the Colonel’s wife. The
earliest instructions on the Ceremony is found in “Field Exercises and
Evolution of Infantry” 1867. These Regulations remained unchanged
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up to the publication of “Infantry Training 1905”. The latest

Instructions lie in the “Ceremonial for the Army 1968”.

As Flags, Banners and Standards from the very earliest times being
connected with the Church, one of the most important features
connected with Colours is their consecration. This aspect has become
paramount in consequence of the fact that they are connected with
the Church, and their being symbols of a Regiment, the sacrifice of
human lives which has attended their defence; and perhaps the
possession of such sacredly, Colours for success in Battle; and, may be
the comfort and strength warriors would lean on when they rally
round a sanctified banner in a crisis or the heat of battle, or follow it
to charge before an enemy and vanquish him. The matter of
consecration has been raised in 1830. The principal Chaplain to the
Forces stated: “No regulations, in my recollection, ever did exist for
the performance of that ceremony. The custom was prevalent, but the
manner varied …..” The earliest official instructions appeared in the
Queens Regulations for 1899 regarding the consecration. The
Regulations of 1901, 1904 and 1908 were unaltered; the one of 1912
made certain provisions for Scottish Battalions. The Kings Regulations
of 1923 states: - “The Consecration of Colours will be performed by
Chaplains to the Forces, or officiating Chaplains in accordance with an
authorized Form of Prayer, copies of which may be obtained from the
Secretary, War Office. Form A is for general use. When the majority of
the men of the Unit are Roman Catholic the consecration of the new
Colours will be performed by a Roman Catholic priest and the Order of
Service in Form B will be used …..”

One of the most Colourful spectacles in Military Ceremonials is the

Ceremony of Lodging or Trooping of the Colour – ritual that could with
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certainly be traced back to the 16th Century and perhaps even

observed before.

“When he cometh neare to the place where he shall lodge …. He then

being on foot, must himself with great respect and reverence take and
carrie the standard, be it Imperial or Royal, and place it in his lodging
under a strong and verie convenient guards of soldiers, and so likewise
in the morning upon the occasion of dislodging, he himself, being
accompanied, ought to take the standard into his own hands, and to
march and take his place according to the direction of the Prince or his
Lieutenant General”. (Sir John Smith “Instructions, Observations and
Orders Mylitarie”1591)

Captain Thomas Venn, one of the earliest military writers of the

present standing Army in England in his “Military Observations or
Tackticks put into Practice for the Exercise of Horse and Foot. The
Original of Ensigns; The posture of their Colours,” lays down the
method by which this Ceremony is performed. The early official
Regulations on record are the “Duke of Cumberland’s Standing Orders
for the Army, 1755”.

“If there be a guard which mounts with the Colours, the Captain is then
to send for them in form. The Ensign advancing his Espartoon, posts
himself at the head of the detachment, which is to go for the Colours,
and the Captain (having ordered the said detachment to poize and rest
their firelocks on the left arme) orders him to march the Drummers
beating a Troop. When the Ensign comes to the place where the
Colours are, he orders the detachment to fix bayonets and present
their arms, the drummers beating a ‘Point of War’. As soon as the
Colours are handed out to the Ensign, he then orders them to rest their
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bayonets on the left arme, and troops his detachment to the

parade………” (Para 21)

“The Captain is, every evening, to Order the Ensign to lodge the
Colours regularly in the Guard Room; the Sergeants with their halberts
advanced accompanying him, and the guard, resting their firelocks,
but the drums not to beat. In the morning the Colours are to be bought
to the head of the guard in like manner”. (Para 25)

These rules point to an unmistakable connection between guard

mounting and trooping the Colour in the early days, which had created
an erroneous belief that trooping the Colour arose out of guard
mounting. This association of “Trooping” with guards is elaborated by
Lieut-General Humphrey Bland, inn his “Treatise of Military
Discipline”, when he states “The Officer of the old guard is to order his
men to rest their firelocks ….. and then march off, the Drummer
beating a Troop, for which reason, when a guard dismounts, it called
“Trooping off a guard”.

Chronologically the origins of each ceremonial seems to be apart,

though latterly associated to perhaps ceremonially augment one with
the other – the symbolism of the Sovereign with the Queens Colour;
and the Corporate spirit and honour of the regiment with the
Regimental Colour or, as some historians on Military Colours believe,
the original word “lodging” was in time supplanted by the
nomenclature for a piece of drum music, associated with guard
mounting, “Troop” – thus “Trooping”.

It developed into that “The four guards, (without their officers) march
on to the ground, and the Regimental Colour, in the keeping of a
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sergeant and two selected privates is placed on the left of the line.
Except in this ceremony, Colours are not carried by any one below the
rank of Commissioned Officer. The significance of this, and the
absence of the Officers, is to show that the Warrant Officers, Non-
Commissioned Officers and Men are so trusted that the presence of
Officers other than the Adjutant, is unnecessary.

The guards are formed into line and dressed by the adjutant. Warrant
and non-commissioned officers commanding guards are moved to the
front and assembled with the officers on the Saluting Base. This is a
survival of the customs by which officers and sergeants used to draw
lots for their guards.

Now the drums beat the “Assembly” is a signal for the officers to move
to their post. The adjutant hands the parade over to the Commanding
Officer.

All officers (except the Adjutant) and Warrant and Non-Commissioned

officers now “recover” their arms and slow march to their guards. It is
said that this movement was instituted as a test of sobriety. It certainly
is a test of bearing and control.

Then Bands and Drums, commence the ceremony proper by giving

their formal salute to the Colour, a slow march being played from right
to left and a quick march from left to right.

The Right Guard, or Escort for the Colour, under the command of its
Lieutenant moves out and halts opposite the Colour. The right of the
line has been the post of honour ever since the Roman Legionaries
wore their shields on their left arm thus leaving the right arm exposed.
Accordingly, the bravest were posted there. Until after the Crimea
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War each battalion of Infantry had a company called the Grenadier

Company of picked men chosen to lead the attack. This company
always took the right of the line and formed the Escort for the Colour.
In memory of this when the escort marches out to take over the
Colour, the tune “British Grenadiers” is played.

The origin of the custom of the Escort being handed over to a

Lieutenant for this movement is obscure. It is suggested that the
procedure may be taken as a tribute to youth, and as a symbol of the
responsibility which youth is expected to assume.

Now occurs, perhaps, the most impressive part of the ceremony. The
Regimental Sergeant-Major , as representative of the Warrant
Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men, taken the Colour from
the Sergeant and hands it over to the Second-Lieutenant. The Colour
is received with full honour. When the escort “presents arms” and
Sergeants of the flank turn outwards and “port” their arms. Sergeants
used to be armed with halberds and the “port” was the first movement
to bring the weapon down for attack or defence. The Escort
“presenting” their arms in salute are therefore technically defenceless,
but are protected from attack by the Sergeants.

The escort now becomes “Escort to the Colour”. It moves back to its
original position in the line by filing through the ranks of the guards
who “present” arms.

Every man thus has an opportunity of seeing the Colour carried post
him and of paying it honour. The Guards with the Colour, now march
past in slow and Quick time, thus displaying to the spectators the
symbol which the regiment holds in such high esteem. The Battalion
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then gives the Royal Salute to His Excellency. The Colour is not
escorted to Barracks and then to its place of lodgment under care of
the Escort, the remaining guards presenting arms in its honour.

When the officers and warrant officers march to their guards they do
so at the “Recover” except the Adjutant who carries his sword. This
movement, in which the officer brings his sword hilt in front of his lips,
is directly derived from the Crusader’s custom of kissing the cross hilts
of their swords after drawing them and before returning them.

This is the only parade on which the Regimental Sergeant-Major draws

his sword.

The tune played whilst the escort files through the ranks of the guards
is the “Grenadier’s March”, which dates from the time of
Marlborough”.

(History of The CLI – Oscar M. Abey’Ratna – pub. 1944)

The Current Rules for Trooping the Colours are laid down in
Ceremonials for the Army 1968.

The current procedure of laying up Colours in a church as laid down in

the Ceremonials for the Army, briefly, is that the Commanding officer
sits on the right and side of the front pew. At the beginning of the last
verse of the hymn proceeding the Ceremony, the Colour Party which
had remained at the back of Church forms up at the West End of the
Church; and while the Regimental March is played slow time at the
conclusion of the hymn, moves forward in slow time, marching two
paces in front of the chancel steps. The commanding officer, his head
bare, then takes a position at the foot of the Chancel steps facing the
 21

Colour Party. The Senior Chaplain advances to the chancel steps and
makes the Bidding. The Commanding Officer then takes the Colours
(one in each hand, the Sovereigns Colour in the right and the
Regimental Colour in the left) and moves to the Chancel the Colour
Officers have drawn Swords, the Colour party salutes with a “Present
Arms”. The commanding officer moves to the altar rails with the Senior
Chaplain. The Commanding Officer will then making a few words, hand
the Colours to the Senior Chaplain, the Sovereigns Colour first, both
the Chaplain receives acknowledging, and places them on the altar.
The Commanding Officer then resumes his seat, the Colour Party
remains with Arms at the shoulder until the Benediction is over. At the
Benediction the National Anthem is played. The transfers of the
Colours from the Altar to a place they are to repose in, is made by the
Church Authority at a subsequent date, and are so reposed without
Military Ceremony.

Whenever the Queens or Regimental Colours are carried on duty by

some Units, they are decked on the Colour pike by a wreath of laurel
go commemorate someday significant to the Unit. This practice is
followed by regiments of the Foot guard. For example, to mention a
few instances, the Grenadier Guards deck their Colours on 16th January
to commemorate the Battle of Corunna (1809) during the peninsular
War, on 27th August to commemorate Arras (1918) during the first
World War; similarly the Coldstream Guards 5th March to
commemorate Barossa (1811) during the Peninsular War and 28th
November to commemorate Modder River (1899) in the South African
War; and so the Irish and Welsh Guards.

Lowering or Vailing Colours in Salute; The Lowering or Vailing as it was

formerly called, of regimental Colours as a part of a salute is a custom
 22

of ancient origin, and is regarded as saluting in a most respectful

manner with the highest honour. When the Colours were Vailed,
Lowered or Trailed they actually touched the ground even in the wet
weather, but now to prevent Colours from becoming soiled they are
rolled loosely round the Colour pike if the ground is wet or dirty. The
Ceylon Light Infantry, the practice is in Lowering or Vailing the Colours;
not to touch the ground but to hold the Pike parallel to the ground,
tussles just contacting the ground.

When Colours are carried or paraded at funerals of those entitled this

(honour)mark of respect, they are draped with black crepe in the form
of large bow, tied just below the head of the Colour pike, the ends
draping down to about the bottom of the flag. After the body has been
interred the crepe is removed. It is customary for Colours carried at
funerals to be ‘draped’ with Black crepe. The usual method is to tie the
crepe in a large Bow just below the head of the Colour Pike, and to
allow the ends to hand down to about the bottom of the ‘flap’. The
Colour itself is rolled on to the Colour staff and wrapped loosely with
a broad black crepe ribbon, in a clockwise manner, so as to expose the
Colour between wrapped black ribbon. This prevents the Colour being
unfurled.
 23

Because of this reason when the Colour party, at a funeral parade, falls
in to the Colour guard the troops on parade does not present arms but
comes in to attention and carry their arms at aside. Once the coffin is
interred the crepe ribbon and the bow is removed from the Colour and
the Colour is immediately encased and moved out of the cemetery by
the Colour party.

It is pertinent to comment on the Colours of Territorial Army in the

United Kingdom. Volunteers were first raised for the Napoleonic War,
but however the force ceased to exist in 1815. In 1859 with threat of
a French invasion under Napoleon III, another Volunteer Force was
raised which found continuity in the Territorial Force of 1908 and still
continues to exist in the Territorial Army formed in 1921. In the
Territorial Force Regulations of 1908 , a War Office Circular,
Memorandum No; 100 and dated 3rd September 1908, authorized that
“Each Infantry Battalion that does not bear the title “Rifles” or “Rifle
Brigade”, or is not dressed in the uniform or does not wear the
appointments of a Rifle Regiment, may carry two Colours, King’s and
Regimental”.

As to the distinctions to be borne upon them it was laid down that

“None of the devices, mottoes and distinctions authorized for a
Regular regiment will be borne upon the Colours of an Infantry
Battalion of the Territorial Force which, though affiliated to it, does not
bear its title”.

However, subsequently, towards the end of the Great War of 1914-

1918, Army Order 198 of 1917 stated, “In consideration of the services
of the Territorial Force during the War, His Majesty the King has been
pleased to approve of units of the Territorial Force being permitted to
 24

wear on their badges, the mottoes and honours worn as the badge of
the Corps, regiment or department of which they form part”.

The regulations governing the design etc. of Standards, Guidons and

Colours of the Military forces of the countries of the British
Commonwealth and Colonies have conformed generally to those laid
down for the British Army.

********

THE COLOURS OF 1922

The events that led to the Presentation of Colours to The Ceylon Light
Infantry at the hands of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in 1922
is comprehensively described in the “History of The Ceylon Light
Infantry” by Oscar M. Abey’Ratna (published 1945) and, the writer
quotes such relevant extracts that record the events that led to the
presentation itself.

The D.A.A.G.,

Ceylon Command

In forwarding herewith a brief history of the Battalion

under my command, I shall be glad if the General Officer Commanding
will kindly see his way to recommend to the Army Council that Colours
be presented to my Battalion for the work it has done in the past,
particularly during the war, and the work it is continuing to do at
present.
 25

If it is contended that colors are only given to Regiments

that see active Service, I would beg leave to state that the Ceylon
Mounted Infantry Company, which took part in the South African War
in 1900, formed a part of the C.L.I. at the time it saw Active Service,
and the Colours were presented to the Mounted Infantry company to
be carried for its Regiment i.e. The C.L.I. When the Mounted Infantry
Company was made a separate unit of the Ceylon Defence Force, the
Colours were retained by it exclusively, and we are now left without
any. In support of my contention that the colors were given to the
Regiment if which the Mounted Infantry (now C.M.R.) formed a part, I
attach copy of a letter, which its Commanding Officer, the late Colonel
Gordon Reeves, wrote to Lieut-Colonel Morgan the Commanding
Officer of The C.L.I. at the time.

I would submit, that the granting of Colours to this regiment would be

a great incentive to make it keep up that spirit of active loyalty which
exists at present and will greatly encourage the Ceylonese to maintain
that sense of duty which should belong to every able-bodied man,
namely to be able, and prepared to defend efficiently His Majesty the
King’s Government, his own country, and his family, whenever such an
occasion arises.

I would, further, submit that at a time like this when the power and
strength of the British Empire, and its importance in the councils of the
world, are greater than at any previous period of history, when her
ability for war combined with her essentially pacific policy, gives the
surest guarantee for the peace of the world, it is the time most fitting
and proper for the encouragement of national and patriotic
movements throughout the dependencies of the Crown.
 26

If my request for Colours is viewed with favour by the authorities, it

will give my Battalion peculiar pleasure to receive those Colours at the
hands of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, the grandson of the
Monarch who was at one time Honorary Colonel of this Regiment,
when he visits India, and presumably Ceylon, at the end of the year”.

T.G.W. Jayewardene,
Lieut-Colonel,
Colombo, 21st April, 1920.
Commanding, Ceylon Light Infantry
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Downing Street,
16TH November 1920.
Ceylon
Miscellaneous
Sir,

“I have the honour to inform you that the Army Council have received
from the General Officer Commanding the Troops in Ceylon an
application for the grant of Colours to the Ceylon Light Infantry. A copy
of the correspondence with the War Office on the subject is enclosed
for your information, and it gives me much pleasure to state that on
my recommendation His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased
to approve of the Ceylon Light Infantry Battalion being permitted to
carry Colours”.

I have, etc.

Milner

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 27

Governor
Brigadier-General
Sir W.H.Manning, K.C.M.G., K.B.E., C.B.
“Dear Horsburgh,

I think, I ought to have mentioned to you yesterday that His Royal

Highness the Prince of Wales is likely to be the Hony. Colonel of my
Battalion by the time he arrives in Ceylon. I wrote to the Commandant,
Ceylon Defence Force some time back asking if His Excellency the
Governor would be pleased to approach the Prince on this matter,,
and I understand that he has already taken action.

If therefore, the Prince happens to be our Hony. Colonel when he

comes here, and he further honours us by presenting us our Colours,
the Regiment will, I think, be in honour bound, to entertain him and
honour him in some way. I shall therefore be glad if His Excellency the
Governor and the Entertainment Committee will kindly give us an
opportunity of discharging that duty.

Failure on our part to honour our Hony. Colonel in a suitable manner

will I fear be a lasting reproach against us and perhaps create a
unfavorable impression on the prince himself”.

Yours very sincerely,

T.G.W. Jayewardene

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 28

PRESENTATION OF COLOURS

“The Ceremony of the presentation of Colours was a rare one and was
the first of its kind in the history of the Island. To participate in the
parade, 9 officers and 228 other ranks were recalled from indefinite
leave from the various companies and detachments in addition to the
mobilized strength.

In writing of the event, Lieut. L.H. de Alwis, CLI has said:-

It will be a proud day for the Ceylon Light Infantry when His Royal
Highness will, on the 22nd March present them with Colours. On this
day the corps will enter upon a new and distinguished page in its long
history. The honour done to the Regiment will be evidence that its
services have been found worthy of this mark of Royal appreciation.
So gratifying a mark of the Sovereign’s approval cannot fail to prove
acceptable to the officers and men of the corps, and to afford an
encouragement to future exertions and good conduct. The possession
of this precious gift of Colours will give the Corps a standing and rank
equal to a regular regiment of the British army. We shall receive full
incorporation into the British army proper and become inheritors of
that Army’s glorious traditions which it will be our endeavour to
cherish and maintain. The character and credit of the British Army
chiefly depends upon the zeal and ardour, by which who enter into its
service are animated, and the bestowal o this signal honour on the
corps is calculated in a large measure to excite the spirit of emulation
by which alone, great and gallant deeds are achieved”.

Never had the parade ground at Echelon Barracks presented such a

magnificent spectacle as it did on Wednesday 22nd March 1922, when
 29

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Honorary Colonel of the Ceylon
Light infantry, resented Colours to that Regiment. From an early hour
the parade ground presented a lively scene and hours before the
scheduled time every coign of vantage was occupied.

The CLI who were divided into four companies besides the Reservists
were the first to be on the parade ground to take up their position.

The Officers on parade were as under:-

Lieut-Col. T.G.W. Jayewardene, V.D.

Major B.W. Bawa

“A” Company Major A.C.B. Jonklass, V.D., Lieuts P.S.Fernando, W.N.

Rae, D.B. Seneviratne, M.M., R.F. Dias and P.M. Battle.

“B” Company Major C.L.de Zylva, Capt. J.G. Vandersmagt, Lieuts

E.L.Mack, L.H. de Alwis, F.O.Mackwood and E.J. Jayaweera.

“C” Company Major S.G. Sansoni, Capt. W.A. Dep, Lieuts E.L.H. Jansz,
S.W. Dias Bandaranaike and A.E. Grant.

“D” Company Capt. D.E. Jayatileke, Capt.H.E. Newnham, Capt. P.W.

Van Langenberg, Lieuts R.F. Morgan, F. A. Wickremaratne, T.
Muttucumaro and Capt. & Q.M. B.M. Christoffelsz.

The Reserve Officers were also present.

The other units representing the C.G.A., R.E., R.G.A., C.C.B., and c., on
arrival, were allotted their places. The C.L.I. was lined up facing the sea
on the Northern side. On the centre of the C.L.I. portion in the middle
 30

of the green was erected the flagstaff. Opposite this saluting base was
arranged the drums, to big drums underneath, and five kettle drums
in pyramidal formation on top. His Lordship Dr. E.A. Coppleston,
Bishop of Colombo, in scarlet robes supported by his Chaplain, the Rev.
H.B. Gunatileke and the Military Chaplain, the Rev. R.P. Butterworth,
awaited the arrival of the Prince at the saluting base.

The Officer Commanding the C.L.I. Lieut-Col T.G.W Jayewardene, VD,

Flitting about on a snowy white charger put the men through a
rehearsal so that nothing be left to chance or fugitive memory, and his
voice carried from one end of the line to the other with a volume and
clarity which were remarkable.

The Prince came to the ground sharp at 11 o’clock, clad in the uniform
of a Colonel of the Ceylon Light Infantry. On arrival the Prince walked
up to the Saluting Base, His Standard being hoisted the moment he
arrived.

Lieut-Col .T.G.W Jayewardene, V.D., Officer Commanding, C.L.I. took

command of the whole field and at his word of command the various
units, which were formed up in line, received the Prince at the Royal
Salute while the C.L.I. Band played the opening Bars of the National
Anthem.

Lieut-Col. Jayewardene was then presented to His Royal Highness who

shook hands with him, and attended by the Governor, Brigadier-
General and the Aides-de-Camp, went round inspecting the men. His
Royal Highness spoke to some of the men as he passed along. Two of
them being Sgt. S.G. Herft and Pte. W.O. Dekker.
 31

That done, the C.L.I. were drawn up in the form of a hollow square
facing the saluting Base where the Prince and his party were.

Ceremony of Presentation

The cased Colours were carried by C.S.M. C.E.B. Cannon and C.S.M.
T.B. Sangakkara who marched up and placed them against the drums,
one on each side, the King’s Colour on the right. This done they
returned to their place in the centre of the Battalion. Major B.W. Bawa,
the Senior Major, and Lieut. E.W. Jayaweera took charge of the King’s
Colour, and Major S.G. Sansoni and Lieut. P.M. Battle the Regimental
Colour. These officers then uncased the Colours and replaced them
against the drums without unfurling them.

The impressive ceremony of consecrating the Colours now took place.

Dr. E.A. Coppleston Bishop of Colombo, supported by the two
chaplains advanced and prayed as follows:-

Vouchsafe, Oh Lord God of Hosts, to bless these Colours which we

dedicate to Thy Service. May they ever be guarded by faith and duty,
by loyalty and honour, and whenever they are lifted up in the just
quarrel of Thy Servant Our Sovereign Lord King George, may Thy
Heavenly Benediction crown his arms with victory through Jesus Christ
Our Lord. – Amen.

Almighty Father, we commend to Thy most gracious care our brethren

of the Regiment of the C.L.I. Give them the spirit of dispatch and of
courage, bless their service to the honour of Our Lord, the King and to
the defence and safety of this Colony, and make every one of them,
were beseech Thee, so true and strong in Thy Son Christ, that having
fought manfully under the banner of His Everlasting Love, to whom
 32

with Thee and the Holy Ghost be all Praise and Glory forever and ever
– Amen.

The ceremony was the most solemn and impressive. The strictest
silence prevailed, everyone remaining standing.

After the consecration Major B.W. Bawa handed he King’s Colour to

His Royal Highness from whom Lieutenant E.J. Jayaweera received the
Colour sinking on his right knee. The Regimental Colour was handed to
the Prince by Major S.G. Sansoni from whom Lieutenant P.M. Battle
received the Colour sinking on right knee. That done, the subalterns
rose to their feet and the Prince addressed the Regiment in the
following words in a fine, crisp voice which was heard to advantage all
over the Parade ground:-

“Colonel Jayewardene, Officers and all ranks of the Ceylon light

Infantry. I am very proud, as your Colonel –in-Chief, to inspect the
Battalion today and to present these new Colours. The Regiment was
 33

formed over 30 years ago .It was mobilized throughout the war, and
you are now mobilized, relieving a British Regiment.

I congratulate you on the splendid work you have done here in Ceylon
during the last few years. I know that in handing over these Colours to
you, they will always be in careful and safe keeping”.

Immediately after Lieut. Col. Jayewardene acknowledged the

compliment. He said:-

“May it please your Royal Highness. On behalf of the Battalion I have

the honour to command, I thank your Royal Highness very sincerely
for the honour you have done us in presenting us these Colours, which
your august father, Our Beloved King, was so graciously pleased to
grant us as a token of His Majesty’s appreciation of the performance
of our duties in the past. I have also to thank Your Royal highness for
your very kind words of encouragement.

I would most respectfully ask Your Royal Highness to convey to His

Majesty the King our feeling of deep loyalty and affection to His Person
and to His House, and to assure His Majesty that if the time comes
again for Great Britain to unsheathe her sword in the defence of the
Empire, the Regiment to which your Royal Highness has so graciously
presented these Colours will give such an account of itself, that the
names which will then be emblazoned on these Colours will be such as
to instill greater enthusiasm to those who come after us, and inspire
them to greater deeds of valour for the honour of the Colours just
presented by your Royal Highness. I thank your Royal Highness again
for the honour you have done us”.
 34

Thereafter, the line was re-formed, and the unfurled Colours were
duly saluted by the Regiment while the Bugle Band under Drum Major
H.M.S. Van Cuylenberg sounded the salute. The Colour party then
marched in slow time to the place of honour in the centre of the
regiment where the escort was in position. The Officer Commanding,
Ceylon Light Infantry called for three cheers for the Prince which was
responded to lustily. This closed the ceremony proper and the Prince
went round inspecting the other units.

The following extract from the Editorial of the “Ceylon Daily News” of
23rd March 1922, illustrate fully the feelings of the Public on that
historic occasion:-

“For yesterday’s ceremony was in every respect unique in the sense

that it was unprecedented but it was singular among all events of the
Prince’s programme by virtue of the intimate relationship it
established between the people of this country and their future King.
Though it is true that on the day before His Royal Highness showed
himself to the people the restrictions place upon the people’s
attendance and the utter absence of pageantry marking the State
Drive left many among the crowds unaware even of the Prince’s
passage through their midst. Tuesday afternoon’s function at Queen’s
House was a more popular affair. But the ceremony on Barrack square
surpassed it in every sense that Ceylon can look upon it as an honour
paid to her peoples. The Ceylon Light Infantry was fully representative
of Ceylon. It is drawn from all races, all classes and all creeds of Ceylon.
At the present moment it is under the command of Sinhalese. This
unit formed of so many diverse elements is one of the few happy
illustrations of the union achieved by common devotion to the British
Throne among the people of a British Possession. The Prince’s consent
 35

to be the Honorary Colonel of such a Regiment brought him thus into

intimate contact with a representative body. In consenting to present
Colours in that capacity His Royal Highness conferred a double
distinction by establishing a personal relationship with an institution
peculiarly Ceylonese”.

The uniform of the Corps in which the Prince appeared on parade was
visible evidence of this membership. The simple words in which he
made the presentation, uttered with manliness appealing to all
hearers spoke more eloquently of his goodwill that the prosey and
purposeless harangues one is accustomed to hear from the servants
of the Crown.

The Battalion then was the proud possessor of the Sovereign’s Colour
and a Regimental Colour- both an honour to its service and traditions
and to the Volunteer movement which grew out of it; and so remained
the only Unit to carry the Sovereign’s Colour and a Regimental Colour
until 1954.

The Kings Colour was the Great Union Flag with the letters ‘CEYLON
LIGHT INFANTRY’ within the circle in the Centre embroidered in gold
ensigned by the Royal Crown. The fringes were of gold and crimson,
and the pike head adorned with the Royal Crest. The cord and tassels
were of crimson and gold.

The Regimental Colour, the St. George’s Cross on a white field, in the
centre the plume of the Prince of Wales with his motto ICH DIEN
inscrolled in a Circle bearing within the words THE CEYLON LIGHT
INFANTRY all within the Union wreath of Roses, Thistles and
Shamrocks on the same stalk and the whole ensigned with the Royal
 36

Crown. A stringed bugle horn in each of the four corners. The fringes
were of white and gold and the pike head was adorned with the Royal
Crest. The cord and tassels were of crimson and gold.

The Colours were first Trooped on the 20th March 1925 on the Galle
Face Athletic ground in Colombo.

“The Ceylon Light Infantry trooped the Colour for the first time at 5.30
p.m. on Friday 20th March 1925, on the Galle Face Athletic Ground.
This marked an important event in the history of the corps as it was
also the first time that such a demonstration was performed by a
locally raised corps. The corps marched down to the parade ground
from Echelon Barracks at 5.10 p.m. preceded by the Regimental and
Bugle Bands. Lieut-Col. A.C.B. Jonklaas was Regimental Colour the
escort guard was in charge of Major J.C. Vandersmgt. The Regimental
Colour was carried by Lieut. W.G. Mack. The adjutant was Capt. H.C.N.
Trollope.
 37

The gathering present to witness the ceremony was a very large one.
There were several enclosures to which the public were admitted by
tickets, while in the Officers’ enclosure were noticed the Hon. Cecil
Clementi, the Hon. R.N. Thaine and Mrs. Thaine, Sri J. Thomson Broom,
the Hon. L.H. and Mrs. Elphinstone and other Government officials and
heads of departments. Including a sprinkling of ladies.

Col. H.W. Higginson, Office Commanding the Troops, Ceylon arrived at

5.30 p.m. and took up his position at the saluting Base. At the end of
the ceremony Col. Higginson remarked to Lieut. Col. Jonklass that the
men “did extremely well.”

The Ceylon Daily News of the 21st March 1925 headlined the ceremony
as “a brilliant spectacular display” and added that “the men although
it was their first attempt, acquitted themselves very creditably”.

The Battalion under the Command of Lieut. Colonel Jonklass V.D.,

trooped the Colour for the second time on the 26th March 1927 at the
Galle Face Athletic Ground. Two congratulatory messages received in
regard to this ceremony are reproduced below.

The Queen’s Cottage,

Nuwara Eliya.
March 28th, 1927.
Dear Col. Jonklass,

It is pressure of work alone that since my return to this place yesterday

morning, has prevented me from writing to you earlier to congratulate
you the officers, Non-commissioned Officers and men of the Regiment
under your command upon the admirably smart and efficient manner
 38

in which on Saturday afternoon last, they carried out the splendid, but
very difficult, evolutions laid down for the Trooping of the Colour.

It so happened that I have had occasion since 1923 (in which year
Colours were presented by me, by His Majesty’s Command, to Each of
the Four Infantry Battalions of the Nigeria Regiment) to see Colours
Trooped with sufficient frequency to make me (for a civilian) very
familiar with every detail of the prescribed ritual. I hope therefore,
that the congratulations which I very warmly offer to you and all ranks
of the Regiment under command, upon Saturday’s parade will not be
thought to be merely the conventional language of routine
compliment – believe me, they have been as well earned as it is
pleasurable to me to be able sincerely to offer them.

I was also specially struck by the improvement shown in the march-

past as compared with what I saw at the Parade on His Majesty’s
Birthday last year – especially when the men were moving at the quick
step. For men, the majority of whom are inclined to be somewhat
lightly built, the march-past in slow time inevitably presents very
special difficulties, but even here, your fellows, on Saturday, seemed
to me to acquit themselves very creditably.

Sincerely Yours,
HUGH CLIFFORD
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 39

Head Quarter Office,

Ceylon.
26th March 1927.
My dear Jonklass,

I congratulate you and all ranks under your command on the Trooping
of the Colour Parade this afternoon on your excellent turn-out and on
the manner in which the ceremony was performed.

It is a very difficult one and your battalion carried it out with smartness
and precision which was highly creditable to all on parade. The many
hours of your spare time which you spent in practicing the ceremony
have had their reward.

I very much regret that it was the Last time I shall be present officially
on a trooping of the Colour Parade by the C.L.I.as I am leaving Ceylon
in September.

Yours sincerely,
H.W. HIGGINSON
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the third time the Colour was trooped on 22nd March 1930 on the
Galle Face Football Grounds. The following appreciation was received
by the Commanding Officer from the Commandant.

“The Commandant would be obliged if you could convey to the ranks

of Volunteers of your Command some expression of the pleasure that
he felt throughout the long period in which they were working quietly
and steadily to produce the splendid Ceremonial Parade that showed
the people of this Island what the Ceylon Light Infantry can do.
 40

He is most anxious that everyone who took part in the constant

rehearsals and in the innumerable details of preparation should realize
that it is this work carried on constantly and unseen, that is of real
value in making Regiments”.

The Battalion Trooped the Colour for the fourth time on 26th February
1934 on the Galle Face Football Grounds Colombo. A Daily Newspaper
referred to the Ceremonial as “an impressive and stately Ceremonial”
and continued to say, “The CLI figured magnificently on Parade. A
splendid body of men, they went through the intricate evolutions
without a hitch”.

The following letter of appreciation was received from the Officer

Commanding Troops Ceylon.

“I wish to express my appreciation of the manner in which the

Trooping the Colour was carried out by the Battalion under your
command on 26th February 1934.

Though the Ceremonial is a difficult one, the manner in which it was

performed reflects the greatest credit on all concerned.

Will you please convey my congratulations to your officers, WOs, NCOs

and men”.

The Colours were parade at all important ceremonials during its period
of service. During the Second World War, when the multifarious duties
that devolved on the Battalion necessitated the raising of four more
Battalions, the Colours, remained then, with the first, the original
mother Volunteer Battalion.
 41

For the first time since the award of Colours to the Battalion, the Kings
Colour left the shores of Ceylon to parade with the Ceylon, Victory
Parade Contingent in London, in 1946. The contingent was
commanded by Lt. Col. A.M.Muttukumaru and the Colour was carried
in the Victory procession through London by Capt. Alexis Chitty.

It was a fitting finale to the saga of these Colours when the Volunteer
Battalion had the proud privilege to parade the King’s Colour in a Royal
Guard of Honour to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and dip it to her in
salute at Kandy on 19th April 1954, a few days before these Colours
were retired from service. The Guard of Honour was commanded by
Major C. Nugawela and 2/Lieut. S. Ranasinghe carried the King’s Colour
on this occasion. Perhaps this was the first and last time in Sri Lanka
that a Sovereign’s Colour was dipped in salute to the Sovereign herself.

On the 21st of April 1954, Galle Face Green was packed with people,
the diversity of gay Colours compensating for the dark skies and the
heavy drizzle that continued to fall. 144 officers and 3017 other ranks
stood lined up for the Royal Review of the Armed Forces by Her
Majesty the Queen – the day had another significance too, it was her
Majesty’s birthday; and among those officers and men, marshalled
into position, according to the Order of March, and commanded by Lt.
Col. Kumaranayagam, E.D., were 19 officers and 475 other ranks of the
2nd (Volunteer) Battalion, The Ceylon Light Infantry; flanking equally on
either side the only Colours on parade, those presented to them in
1922. It was to be a sad occasion and a happy one for the Volunteers.
For shortly the Old Colours, having done their service for 32 years were
to be marched away to be laid up; and by rightful inheritance their
successors were to be presented by Her Majesty herself a melodrama
of grief and pride…..
 42

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived at

the parade, and as she stepped on to the Saluting dais, her Royal
Standard was broken and the massed bands struck up the National
Anthems of Ceylon and Britain and the troops presented arms in a
Royal Salute. For the last time, the swan song in its saga of service, the
Colours of 1922 granted to the Volunteers by King Edward, VII of
England, dipped in Salute, before its retirement, to his Royal Great
Grand daughter, Elizabeth II, who acknowledged the salute.

It would have been a proud day for the Hon’ble the Prime Minister Sir
John Kotalawala to witness the old Colours of the Volunteer Battalion
he served being marched off, and new Colours presented to it.

Due to Her Majesty’s crowded programme during her stay in Ceylon it

had not been possible to arrange a separate ceremony for the
Presentation of Colours to the two Battalions of the CLI. Consequently,
this Ceremonial in a very abridged and modified form was included in
the Programme for the Royal Review of the Armed Forces, which
arrangement excluded from the Ceremonial Trooping the Old Colours.
The Battalion parade instruction for the ceremonial that was to follow
is quoted below:-

“Immediately after H.M. has completed the inspection of the

Battalion, the following ceremonial will take place.

The Battalion will slope Arms. Old Colours Party moves off in quick
time under the Orders of the Senior Colour Officer to point 8 paces to
its front and wheels to a point at the right flank of the Battalion when
it will be halted facing the left flank. When the party has come to this
 43

position, the Senior Colour Officer will say “COLOUR PARTY, BY THE
RIGHT, SLOW MARCH”.

The Battalion Presented Arms, Band Plays “COLOURS”. The Colour

Party moves right along the length in front of the Battalion, and, when
it marches to the left flank of the Battalion, it will change direction,
and go to the rear of the Battalion when the Senior Colour Officer will
order it to the rear of ht Battalion when the Senior Colour Officer will
order it to HALT. The Old Colours will then be handed over……”

To those who had served with these Colours, while those serving
stood in salute, and whose of the past watched from the spectator
stands, or sat glued to their radios listening to commentaries, these
last moments as the Old Colours slow marched to their retirement
and rest before the Battalion, had stirred their emotions, brought
back reminiscences…… …moments of pride………now sadness, at
parting, and moistened their eyes.

On the 25th of April 1954 the Colours were marched to St. Peters
Church, Fort, Colombo and laid up at evensong 6 p.m.

The Battalion dressed in Review Order, the Officers in Dress No 4 ,

White Tunics and black overalls marched out of the Battalion
Headquarters at Lower Lake Road to form up in the Senate Square with
Gordon Gardens in the background and there in Gordon Gardens
stood pedestalled the throned Statue of Queen Victoria in whose reign
the Ceylon light Infantry volunteers were raised. This Senate Square in
Colombo Fort is now known as Republic Square.
 44

The Kings Colour was carried by 2/Lt. H.B. Wijekoon, the Regimental
Colour by 2/Lt. W.K. Wickremasekera and the Escort to the Colour was
composed of WO II G.D.S. Joseph, Sgt. T.K. Russdeen and Sgt. M.S./
Meedin.

The Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Kumaranayagam , E.D. sat at the

front pew, the Colour Party stood by at the rear of the Church until the
opening Hymn was sung and then advanced towards the Chancel Steps
as the Ceylon Army Band played the Regimental March of the Ceylon
Light Infantry “I’m Ninety Five” in slow time. When the Colour Party
halted before the Chanel steps,, the Archdeacon of Colombo ,
officiating at the laying-up Ceremony said:-
 45

“We are gathered together in this former Garrison Church of St.

Peter’s to lay up these Colours of the 2nd Battalion The Ceylon Light
Infantry (Volunteers). No more fitting place can be found to deposit
these Emblems of Duty and Service than the House of God, where
praise and prayer are wont to be made.”

The Colour Officers handed over the Colours to the Commanding

Officer and saluted the Colours and the Colour Party withdrew. The
Commanding Officer taking the Colours one in each hand, the King’s
Colour in his right hand the Regimental Colour in the left to the top of
the Chancel steps addressed the Archdeacon with “These old Colours
of the 2nd Battalion (Volunteers) The Ceylon Light Infantry, I deliver
into your hands for safe custody within these sacred walls”. The
Archdeacon receiving the Colours said “I received these Colours for
laying up within this Church of St. Peter”, and placed them on the altar.

A service of Prayer and Hymn and Address concluded the Ceremony,

and so ended the Service of the 1922 King’s and Regimental Colours of
the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion The Ceylon Light Infantry.

A Plaque on the walls of the Church commemorates the laying-up of

these Colours. For long these Colours lay hung suspended from the
vaults of the Church, when perhaps their disintegration from age and
being exposed to the sea air that sweeps through the church has made
the Church authorities to remove them from their original position and
pikes, to enfix them on the wall; well protected with glass covering. It
is however apparent that, perhaps due to the Colours disintegrating,
their size has been reduced, still however maintaining the original
design in the reasonable proportion.
 46

A historical sketch of St. Peter’s Church, Fort, Colombo where the

Colours of 1922 are laid up is interesting reading.

“The Portuguese discovered Colombo in the 16th Century and some

authorities hold the present rendering of its name to this foreign
power. Colombo, was forced on the indigenous peoples of Ceylon. It
was never a city of their own choice of making. At the zenith of its
development by the Portuguese in 1650, there stood behind its ring of
defences – churches, convents, monasteries, and other institutions.
There were elegant villas occupied by higher officials and judges of the
courts of Justice, with flights of built-up stone steps to upper
chambers. There were large numbers of houses of lesser degree for
merchants and minor officials.

At that period a Portuguese monastery of the Dominican Order, and a

“charity Hall” called the Chapel of Misericordia, occupied the site on
which St. Peter’s stands today. Nearby, was a church: St. Dominico, in
the simple architecture of early Gothic. An inscribed stone set over one
 47

of its arches is the only fragment of it which remains. It is in the stone

gallery of the National Museum in Colombo.

Factually, there were seven other churches within the straggling

Portuguese Fort which occupied the zone we now know as the Fort
and the Pettah. One cannot but muse aloud at the number of bells
which must have rung out their joyful carillon on festive occasions, or
pealed for the commemoration of the angelus and other devotional
services in the morning, at noon and at sunset.

The outmoded and insecure nature of the Portuguese defences which

the Dutch took over in 1656, weighted the Hollanders’ decision to
build a new citadel into which the troops could be moved in an
emergency. The initial plan proved so massive, that twenty years had
gone by and work had not been brought to a finish. Consequently on
second thoughts, the Supreme Government of Batavia decided that an
inner Fort alone, would meet the purpose.

Hence Colombo’s citadel erected by the Dutch came to be about one

third the size of the Portuguese fortress. It was confined more or less
to the area now known as the Fort of Colombo. Strategically it was
bounded by the open sea on the West and North, ringed by nine
bastions connected by strong ramparts, and where not washed by the
lake or the sea, was further protected by broad and deep moats. The
lake – a long established feature of Colombo, was originally an
extensive reach of flood-eater from the Kelani Ganga. Its water –
spread was considerably reduced by a reclamation scheme completed
in 1921.
 48

Old time travelers and writers have left many and varied descriptions
of this sultry sun-porch and citadel at Colombo in the Dutch period.
Surgeon Ives, a British Naval Officer, who visited it in 1757 – by which
time it was fully developed wrote: “The streets are very wide with a
beautiful Row of Trees. On each side, between them and the house is
a very smooth and regular pavement. Between the Trees is a very fine
Verdure……..and ye whole so elegantly disposed………that we could
not help admiring ye wisdom and genius of ye Dutch.”

The most elegant building within the ramparts was a massive, yet
comely two-storeyed structure facing Colombo’s water front. It had a
flat-roof, an especially large arched portico of cubicle form, and
several windows which let in light and air. The ground-floor had,
besides two reception rooms, a spacious hall 300 feet in length. This
was where Council meetings were held, where Ambassadors from the
kings of Kandy had laid presets they brought, and were entertained,
here, too, the “Dutch Government” or as they were also designated:
“Directors of Coastal Ceylon” held levee, The upper floor too was
equally spacious and served as residential apartments. After it was
built all but the last Dutch Governor lived here. An 18th Century
painting by C. Steiger, in the Rijks Museum, depicts below the southern
face of the building, a sunken garden elegantly landscaped, and
pleasing to the eye. It extended to where the new secretariat (recently
built) raises its tiers of floors in a skyward surge. To the right of the
“Government House” there is said to have been a “tower” on which a
bell was hung, and the hours struck by the garrison.

In 1796, a squadron under the command of Captain Gardner, R.n.

anchored off the mouth of the Kelani Ganga, and together with a land
force under Colonel James Stuart, took possession of the Dutch
 49

citadel. On the 16th of February, the same year, the Orange standard
of Holland which had flown for 140 years was lowered, and the Union
Jack was broken at staff-head on the ramparts of Colombo.

The massive old Government House of Dutch times which had stood
the fury of monsoonal storms for over a century continued to do
service as “Government House” for a few years more in the British
Regime, although its “roof leaded badly”. It was occupied by Major –
General Macdowal, Commander-in-chief of the Forces in the Island
until the year 1803. None of the British Governors ever took up
residence in it. The first of them; Fredrick North who was later Earl of
Guilford, lived in a ground-floor bungalow in the fort which years later
made way for the building which houses Cargill’s and Millers. He found
this “too hot and confined”, and moved to a spacious “villa” in
Hultsdorp close to Lockgate, where there now stands a motley slum of
cubicled lawyers’ offices. This “villa “came to be the scene of much
animation and entertainment.

Meanwhile, between 1796 and 1803, the Dutch Church at Wolvendaal

was opened to the Anglicans for worship, by invitation of the
Consistory of the Reformed Church. The Anglican congregation, at that
period, was primarily military personnel and the British troops were
marched every Sunday to attend service. Although this martial
demonstration – headed by the Regimental Band marching through
the Pettah of Colombo – all clothed in bright scarlet woolen uniforms,
must have provided a wonderful spectacle to the populace, one can
well imagine that it must have proved uncomfortable and
inconvenient to the participants, Imagine the discomfort on a hot and
sultry day.
 50

It was Governor North’s idea to convert the Old Dutch Government

House to serve as a Garrison Church. In the Gazette of March the 13th
1804, a notice as published announcing that: “Divine service will be
held at Government House on Sunday at 4.30 p.m. until further
notice”. The Registers of the Church also date from 1804. The earliest
Register of Marriages (up to 1809) had been entrusted to the Chaplain
of Brigade to the Forces in Ceylon – Rev. Hamlyn Heywood, to be taken
to England in order that a copy of it may be entered in the Registry
Office of the Bishop of London. The ship he was voyaging in was lost
at sea-so was that section of the Register.

Apparently in 1806, the service was again transferred to Wolvendaal

Church, for the reason possibly that it was not possible to hold services
in bad weather. This was no doubt the period when the flat-roofed
upper storey was demolished. Subsequently with alternations in
quasiclassical architectural style – essentially British, a part of the large
reception room on the ground floor was converted to provide
appropriate wetting for such characteristic features as Altar, Pulpit,
Baptistery and Lectern.

It is obscure when the temporary arrangement was reversed and

services were again held in the Garrison Church, or the “Fort Church”
as it also came to be called after the renovation had been completed.
In the troublous time 1818-1819, which history terms the: “Uva
Rebellion”, services were held at 11 o’clock instead of at 10, and the
evening service at 4.30.

The first Episcopal visitation to the Church was in 1816 when the first
Bishop of the Anglo-Indian Church, Dr. Thomas Fanshawe Middleton
preached. It was on a second visitation by the Bishop to Ceylon that
 51

on the formal request Lieutenant Governor and Commander – in-Chief

Sir Edward Barnes, he ‘consecrated and set apart forever for the
Service of God’, the building to be known as St. Peter’s Church in the
Fort of Colombo, on May 22nd 1821. It was also in the same year (1821)
that Governor Barnes made over St. Peter’s Church, to four trustees.
The deed was signed by john Rodney, who was then Ch1ief, or Colonial
Secretary, and the trustees named were: The Bishop of Calcutta, The
Archdeacon of Colombo, The Chief Secretary of Government and the
Officer Commanding Troops. The first Bishop of Colombo, Dr.
Chapman, was enthroned in St. Peter’s which was then the Pro-
Cathedral, in November 1845.

In 1871- exactly one hundred years ago, the ramparts of the Old Dutch
citadel were demolished on the orders of the War office. What
Colombo lost when undressed, was not merely historical truth, but
also good business. It would today have proved a show-piece in a
speed crazy modern world seeking peace from a past.

Picked out from the bustle and stir of the busy Fort, or looked at
externally St. Peter’s can barely be identified as a Church. It is when
you enter the massive old building with its thick old-world walls and
door-windows, and let your eye rove over the lofty roof, its wide aisle,
and the many tablets on the walls or its handsome Altar. Pulpit and
Lectern which combine to bear witness to the higher and spiritual
needs of man, that you realize its omnipotence as a bulwark to shut
out a work-a-day world.

The Altar is chaste and dignified, constructed of teak and satinwood

with three panels divided by pillars – all elegantly carved. The Church
plate, comprising Chalice, Patten Alms dish, Flagon and Candlesticks,
 52

was presented by King George III. In Usum Ecclesiae Taproabniae. The

Lectern is a handsome brass eagle – a memorial dating to 1877. The
large and handsome dossel was set up some time earlier and lends
charm to the Altar.

Time was when the music for the service was conducted by the
Military Band. St. Peter’s has never possibly possessed a bell- the
reason for this being the Military bugle call which sounded the “fall-in
“for the Church parade. The Governor and his entourage, with the
hierarchy of the Civil Service, have been known to attend this Church
from the time the Anglican Liturgy has been heard on the shores of
Ceylon – Nor can one omit to mention what in this sultry climate is no
small merit – the remarkable coolness of the old building. Even when
the fierce rays of the sun bear down on the Fort and the harbour looks
like molten glass, still St. Peter’s is cool and airy – a most welcome
relief from the dust and glare outside. Its large verandah, fronting the
harbour, its high roof and massive walls (true to their Dutch origin) the
breezes from the sea, and last, but not least – the long punkahs (now
no longer seen except in the side chapel and in the Gallery reserved
for the Governor, although no Governor or Governor-General takes
this stand in “splendid isolation” today), combine to produce this
pleasing effect.

Although none of the mural tablets on the walls of the Church can be
said to have any value artistically, they add considerably to interest as
enduring records of the past. Many of the memorials commemorate
people who have met their death by various calamities: by the fall
from a horse, by being thrown from the carriage in which they had
been riding, by drowning in attempts to save another’s life, by being
struck by lightning, and in jungle encounters with elephants. Those
 53

who pause to look for these will find in their names many civil and
military personnel of note.

Corresponding to Bishop Heber’s tablet on the left of the Altar (as you
face it), is another of similar size on the righty, commemorating Daniel
Corrie, the first Bishop of Madras. Above this, is a handsomely carved
one with two panels, recording the well-known names of Charles
Ambrose Lorenz and his wife. Both of them sad to say – died at
Colombo in the same year 1871, and strangely each in the prime of
life, exactly one hundred years ago.

Today St. Peter’s Church, still fulfils a most important task into the
middle of the busiest part of the capital of Ceylon as the “City Church”
of Colombo. With the conversion of that part of the Church premises
at the west end into the “Flying Angel” Club of the Missions to seamen,
the Church now has closer ties that ever with the City and Port of
Colombo.

St. Peter’s Church remains the only Dutch building of any pretension,
in the Fort of Colombo. It would be futile to attempt to forecast the
fortunes of this old historic building. At present, however, it is a real
matter for congratulations on the good sense of people that it still
stands and serves. There can be but one answer to the question:
where do we go from here, or how?”

(R.L. Brohier: 1971: Contributed on the invitation of the Acting Vicar

and Wardens of St. Peter’s Church).

********
 54

THE COLOURS OF 1954

The 21st of April 1954. “Galle Face had seldom accommodated such a
vast gathering before and it had never seen such glittering
spectacle…..” (Ceylon Daily News. 22 April 1954). And so it was. Her
Majesty had inspected the Battalions of the Ceylon Light Infantry and
was continuing her inspection of the dismounted troops paraded
beyond them, the old Colours of the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion the
Ceylon light Infantry had been marched off. Strong drizzle was falling.
With similar activity occurring simultaneously in the 1st (Regular)
Battalion, six drummers of the Volunteer Battalion advanced and piled
their drums to place the Colours on and withdrew. The Senior Major,
Major D.N. Rockwood and the Junior Major, Major C. Nugawela took
up their positions; the Senior major to the right of the drum and the
Junior Major to the left. The Colour party with 2/Lieut H.B. Wijekoon,
 55

the Senior Colour officer, and 2/Lieut W.K. Wickremasekera, the Junior
Colour Officer, now marched to the pile of Drums with the Colour
Sergeants carrying the cased Queen’s and Regimental Colours,
followed by two drummers. The Colour Officers now took their
positions, the Senior Colour Officer on the right of the Senior Major
and the Junior Colour officer on the left of the Junior Major. The Colour
Sergeants with the Queen’s Colour moved to a position on the right of
the Senior Major and the Colour Sergeant with the Regimental Colour
to a position to the right of the Junior Major, handed over their Colours
to the respective Senior and Junior Majors, and withdrew.; The two
Drummers who had taken position in front of the two Majors then
assisted them to uncase the Colours, recovered the cases and marched
off. The Majors now placed the uncased Colours over the pile of
Drums, obliquely, the Queen’s Colour, the first to be presented, resting
over the Regimental Colour.

The two commanding officers Col. A.M. Muttukumaru, E.D. of the 1st
Battalion and Lt. Col. R. Kumaranayagam, E.D. of the 2nd Volunteer
Battalion The Ceylon Light Infantry had taken their positions for the
presentation of Colours, Her Majesty had completed her inspection of
the dismounted troops, all the Units to the South of the 1st Battalion
CLI had turned half left, and all those to the north of the 2nd (Volunteer)
Battalion had turned half right to witness the ceremonial ….. the
Colour Officers waited to receive the Colours………

As her majesty approached the presentation area from her inspection,

Colonel A.M. Muttukumaru, the senior of the two Commanding
Officers called the two Battalions to attention. The Commanding
Officers moved towards Her Majesty that the two battalions are ready
 56

for the presentation. Colours were first presented to the 1st (Regular)
Battalion.

Her Majesty then moved to the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion with the two
Commanding Officers of the CLI. His Royal Highness the Duke of
Edinburgh and the Commander of the Army a few paces behind her.
The Senior Major, Major D.N. Rockwood E.D., gathered the Queen’s
Colour from the pile of Drums and handed it to Her Majesty, 2/Lieut
H.B. Wijekoon receiving it from her Majesty sinking on his right knee.
Like-wise Major C. Nugawela E.D., handed the Regimental Colour to
Her Majesty, 2/Lieut W.K. Wickremasekera receiving it from Her
Majesty sinking on his right knee.

Immediately after the presentation of Colours was over the Colour

officers rose, and her Majesty the Queen addressed the two
battalions-

“I am very pleased to present these new Colours to the two battalions,

my pleasure is all the greater because the presentation in being made
to two battalions of a regiment whose Honorary Colonel is my Uncle,
the Duke of Gloucester.

Your Regiment was formed over seventy years ago and has an
honorable record of service. Today I congratulate you on your
smartness and efficiency and on your part in this splendid parade. I
know that in handing over these Colours to you, they will always be in
careful and safe keeping”.

The Senior Battalion Commander, Colonel A.M. Muttukumaru, E.D.,

speaking on behalf of both battalions said-
 57

“May it please Your Majesty, on behalf of both battalions of the

Regiment; I thank Your Majesty most humbly for the honour conferred
on us by presenting these Colours. I can assure Your Majesty that the
Colours will be held in careful and safe keeping and that the occasion
of their presentation by your Majesty in person will be a most
treasured memory in the Regiment’s records”.

The Colour parties then turned about and faced their battalions, the
Senior Battalion Commander of the Ceylon Light Infantry brought the
entire parade to attention and ordered a General salute to the Colours
and the Bands struck up the National Anthem of Ceylon. Her Majesty
returned to the saluting dais after the General Salute and , in quick
time the respective Colour parties joined their Battalions, And so came
these Colours of 1954 – Successors to a heritage.

In 1948, the four Battalions of the Ceylon Light Infantry raised between
1940-1943 together with the original Volunteer Battalion of the Ceylon
Light Infantry then designated the 1st battalion in consequence of this
wartime expansion, were demobilized. The Army Act No. 17 of 1948
made provision for a regular Force and a Volunteer Force, and the
original Volunteer Battalion came into the Volunteer Force of the
Ceylon Army, without a break in its continuity of nomenclature, service
and inheritance – just as it was the first in Colonial times, the first
Volunteer Unit again in Independent Ceylon with a history and an
honoured past.

Under the provisions of the Army Act No. 17 of 1948 a Regular Infantry
Battalion was raised in October 1949 as “The Ceylon Infantry
Regiment”. In June the following year, in 1950, a redesignation took
place, in that the “Ceylon Infantry Regiment” was redesignated the 1st
 58

battalion The Ceylon Light Infantry –deserving, as it was perhaps then

thought, by those who make decisions as the nucleus of the Ceylon
Infantry Regiment was composed of those demobilized from the many
battalions of the Ceylon Light Infantry at the end of the Second World
War, who chose soldiering as a profession. The Ceylon Light Infantry
which had remained a Volunteer Battalion since its raising in 1881 was
redesignated the 2nd (Volunteer) battalion the Ceylon Light Infantry –
this seeming drift towards the concept of a “Regiment” of the Ceylon
Light Infantry, which even up to now in practice, is not resonant in
every chord in the incumbent orchestrated fidelity of that concept and
its connotation , due, among other things, to the fact that the
“Regiment” is confined to one Regular Battalion and a Volunteer
Battalion gave however the 1st battalion, though latterly raised and
bearing the same name, by virtue of it being a regular unit, that certain
ascendancy in seniority and priority , and generally, a benefit from the
honours and traditions of the older volunteer battalion.

It was natural therefore that the 1sr battalion should apply for Colours,
and being a part of a “Regiment” there was no difficulty in obtaining
such award as in Great Britain traditionally all battalions of a Regiment,
whether regular or territorial carry the same Colours with the
appropriate battalion numeral on the Colours; each new battalion in a
regiment being entitled to carry the Colour presented earlier to a
Regiment.

With the expected arrival of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to Ceylon

April 1954, application was originated in 1952 for granting Colours to
the 1st battalion (Regular) and to replace the Colours of the 2nd
(Volunteer) battalion which were then about 32 years old, by Her
Majesty, to which she graciously assented.
 59

A unique event and a proud facet in the history of this Volunteer

battalion is that while the practice in England is for territorial units to
adopt the Colours and devices of its regular counterpart, in 1954, the
regular 1st battalion adapted for its Regimental Colour the identical
devices and design as of that granted to the Volunteer battalion in
1922.

The Unit placed its order for Colours with Hobson and Sons (London)
Limited, the suppliers of Colours in 1922. The Regimental Colours was
to be the same as the original design held by the suppliers, with the
addition of the numeral II under the stringed bugle horn on the top left
hand corner to signify it as that of the 2nd battalion. The Ministry of
Defence and External Affairs in Ceylon, perhaps aware of the fact that
certain Commonwealth countries substitute Union Wreath of Roses
Thistles and Shamrocks on the same stalk to one composed of leaves
of a national tree or plant, directed that such alternative be used. In
consequence of a strong protest the Ministry agreed that the design
of the Regimental Colour need not be changed.

At a discussion held between the Ministry officials and the Army Chief
of Staff, it was ruled that the Queen’s Colour to be presented by Her
Majesty the Queen to the two battalions of the CLI should follow the
design of the National Flag of Ceylon and not be that of the Union flag
of England as awarded in 1922. The battalion’s first, or, Queen’s Colour
consequently, was the National Flag of Ceylon with the Battalion
numeral ‘II’ in the Centre of the green and saffron strips, encircled with
the words “CEYLON LIGHT INFANTRY’ within, and the whole ensigned
by the Ceylon Crown. As Her Majesty was to present this Colour
personally, to honour her desire an added distinction was made, in
that, her personal cypher “ER II” was borne over the Crown. The
 60

fringes were of gold and crimson and the Pike Head took a change
from that of 1922, in that it bore the lion ensigned with the Ceylon
Crown. The Cord and Tassels were of crimson and gold.

The regimental Colour was the same as that presented in 1922 with
the addition of the Battalion numeral ‘II’ placed under the stringed
bugle horn on the left hand top corner. The pike head remained the
same as that of the regimental Colour of 1922. The Cord and tassels
were of white and gold.

On 4th April, 1954, Her Majesty the Queen from on board the Royal
Yacht “Gothic”, on her tour, approved the design of the Queen’s
Colour for the Ceylon Light Infantry.
 61

Yet another difficulty when the Ministry of Defence and External

Affairs objected to a sole Christian Ceremony on Galle Face Green to
consecrate the Colours. An alternative was found to get over this
situation, and at a simple consecration ceremony, at Royal College,
Colombo, where the battalion was billeted, for duties and ceremonials
in connection with the Royal Visit, the Colours were consecrated by
the clergy of all denominations on the day prior to the presentation –
which arrangement for a consecration by all religious denominations,
that originated in 1954 ad was only relative to the two battalions of
the Ceylon Light Infantry then is traditionally carried out at all
presentations of Colour since.

Due to the fact that Her Majesty’s Programme in Ceylon was pre-
arranged it was not possible to arrange a separate Ceremonial for the
 62

presentation of Colours to the 1st and 2nd (Volunteer) battalions of the

CLI. After much parley between Colombo and London, the decision as
commented on earlier was taken to include the presentation of Colors
to the 1st and 2nd (Volunteer) battalions of the Ceylon Light Infantry in
the Programme of the Royal Review of Armed Forces at Galle Face
Green by Her Majesty on 21st April, 1954.

The March Past was in progress…………………The mounted column

rolling past the saluting dais paying compliments t Her Majesty; and
then long columns of the dismounted Troops; and as the bands rolled
into the Regimental March “I’m Ninety five” the new Colours of the 2nd
volunteer battalion The Ceylon Light Infantry marched past – the
Colour Party comprising 2/Lieut H.B. Wijekoon (Queen’s Colour),
2/Lieut W.K. Wickremasekera (Regimental Colour), and in the escort
to the Colours, WO II G.D.S. Joseph, C/Sgt. Rassdeen and C/Sgt.
Meedin; stirring loud and continued applause from Volunteers and old
soldiers, unfurling the Colours to salute Her Majesty at the Saluting
dais….. and then to the dispersal area; and onward to the battalion
Headquarters in Lower Lake Road - just within seeing distance from
where Colours were presented.
 63

So , these Colours remained the pride of the Regiment, symbolic of its

history and honour, its service and its traditions – making the battalion
apart from others, giving it honour and pride; and receiving from it the
care and veneration……symbolizing the corporate spirit and soul of the
Regiment.

In May 1972, Ceylon was declared the Republic of Sri Lanka, and with
it came a change in the nomenclature of the Battalion, in that it came
to be known as the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion The Sri Lanka Light
Infantry; and the Colour of the reigning sovereign of England, and the
symbols upon the Regiment Colour lost their significance. The
battalion was not on active service during this period; consequently
 64

after a simple, respectful, improvised ceremonial, the Colours were

laid into safe keeping at Battalion Headquarters – and the opportunity
of paying the final respects and ceremony due to Colours on
retirement was lost to the battalion.

A definite policy of granting of Colours to Units of the Sri Lanka Army

by the Head of State, The president of Sri Lanka was not known.
However, in 1972 the Training Academy, the Army Training Centre at
Diyatalawa received the President’s Colour and a Regiment Colour at
the hands of His Excellency the President.

It was only on 19th August 1977 that Army Order 13/77 was published
laying down ceremonial instructions for the Armed Services of Sri
Lanka, where under Section 2 therein, for the Army, it said, “The
President’s Colour and Regimental Colour may be awarded to Units of
the infantry and to training establishments. The President’s Standard
may be awarded to a Unit other than an infantry unit, and a Guidon
may be awarded to an Armoured car regiment” and went on to lay
down general instructions in regard to application for Colours,
Standards and Guidons, their presentation consecration, laying up and
Ceremonials where Colours are paraded.

Even though the instructions for application for granting of Colours

came only in 1977, which could be recognized as the first official
intimation, there are no documents in the battalion’s records to
authenticate where, irrespective of a publicized policy, an earnest
request has been made earlier for the granting of Colours of His
Excellency the President of Sri Lanka to replace the honours
symbolized in the Colours that became invalid with the declaration of
the Republic.
 65

However, whatever the reasons may be the publication of Army Order

13/77 of 19th August 1977 gave sufficient stimulation and hope to both
battalions of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry to seek the pleasure of His
Excellency the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri
Lanka to grant them each, His Excellency’s Colours and a Regimental
Colour.

*******

THE COLOURS OF 1978

“Before any arrangement is made with regard to presentation of

Colours, Standards of Guidons, the Commanding Officer of the
Unit/Establishment concerned will advise Army Headquarters that the
Unit/Establishment desires presentation of Colours, Standards or
Guidons and will ask that the President’s pleasure be taken……”
(Extract from Section 2, para 2 of Annex “A” to /Sri Lanka Army Order
AO 13/77 of 19th August 1977).

When the Commander of The Army, Major General J.E.D. Perera make
his first official inspection of the battalion of 25th January 1978, during
the course of his address to all Ranks, while stressing the need to
display more keenness in volunteering and to exercise every
endeavour to improve their knowledge and skills, he said that the Unit
has a further responsibility in keeping alive its traditions as it is
approaching the Centenary of its raising and added that it may be that
the battalion could apply for the granting of Colours to have the
honourable distinction of carrying them in the Centenary Year.
 66

In consequence a unit team set about the task of designing a

Regimental Colour, and the Commanding Officer addressed Army
Headquarters with the following letter:

No. 2/SLLI/A6/23
March 03, 1978.
Army HQ,
Through HQ SLVF

APPLICATION FOR H E THE PRESIDENT’S AND REGIMENTAL COLOURS

FOR 2(V) SLLI

All ranks of this Unit would appreciate it very much if His Excellency
the President would be pleased to grant His Excellency’s and
Regimental Colours to this Unit.

2:1 In view of the fact that this 97 year old Unit has held the British
Sovereign’s Colours from as far back as 1901 till the Country became a
Republic on May 22, 1972, it would be superfluous to recount in this
application, the Unit’s history.

2:2 In April 1901, the Mounted Company of the Ceylon Light Infantry
Volunteers received a banner, at Kandy at the hands of HRH the Duke
of Cornwall and York (later HM King George V) in recognition of the
Company’s services in South Africa. In 1906, with the expansion of the
Mounted Company into the Unit named the Ceylon Mounted Rifles,
the Colour passed over to that Unit. However, on March 22, 1922, the
King’s and Regimental Colours were awarded to the Ceylon Light
Infantry Volunteers and were presented by HRH Prince of Wales (later
HM King Edward VIII and Duke of Windsor). On April 21, 1954, HM
Queen Elizabeth II presented to this Unit, a fresh set of Colours, and
 67

similar Colours were awarded at the same ceremony, to the regular

Unit raised in 1949 and carrying the same name as that of this Unit. As
stated above, the British Sovereign’s Colours have ceased to have their
significance with the proclamation of Sri Lanka as a Republic.

3:1 This Unit was raised in March 1881 as the “Ceylon Volunteers”
and was the first Ceylonese Unit to be raised in the Island. Over the
ears its name has changed first, to “Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers”,
and then, with the establishment of a Regular Army in Independent
Ceylon and in consequence of the raising of a regular battalion with
the same name, to “2nd (Volunteer) battalion, The Ceylon Light
Infantry”, and finally, to “2nd (Volunteer) battalion the Sri Lanka Light
Infantry”. Several other units such as the Medical Corps, the Artillery,
the Engineers and the Signals Corps have developed from the Ceylon
Light Infantry Volunteers. During World War II, the Ceylon Light
Infantry Volunteers expanded to five mobilized battalions with a
Regimental Headquarters.

3:2 Considering the Unit’s service to the Nation over a period of 97

years during which it has acquitted itself very creditably in every duty
it has been entrusted with, and the fact that it has proven, particularly,
being a Volunteer Unit, to be, under all circumstances, the exponent
of true National Spirit, Sacrifice, loyalty and Patriotism, this unit feels
that it is deserving, in every way, to be the proud possessor of His
Excellency’s Colour. This esteemed possession would be a great
incentive towards making the members of the unit, both of the
present and the future, to enhance the spirit of Loyalty and Sense of
Duty to the Nation, and their enthusiasm and efficiency as soldiers.
 68

4:1 His Excellency’s Colour has already been designed when it was
awarded some time ago to the Army Training Centre. In the
circumstances, if this Unit too has the good fortune of being awarded
such Colour, the only alteration to the Colour to be awarded would be
by way of indicating on it, this Unit’s name.

4:2 A unit team is engaged in designing a Regimental Colour

distinctive of the Unit and incorporating appropriate and meaningful
motiffs.

5. In the event if His Excellency being pleased to sanction this

application, as there exists a very large number of vacancies for, both
officers and other ranks, to the extent that this unit will not be able to
parade a strength as would be necessary for a parade for receiving
Colours, and as the Commander of the Army has been so kind as to
promise building the unit up to strength, ere long, I would suggest that
the presentation of Colours be fixed for a suitable date allowing, (1)
for the unit to be built up to an adequate strength, and (2) for the Unit
, inclusive of a near-company strength which is constantly deployed on
TAFII Operations, to be adequately trained for the parade.

6. This Unit earnestly hopes that the Commander of the Army will
recommend this application and fill the vacancies in the Unit, early,
and that His Excellency will be so gracious as to grant this application.

7. This application is in quadruplicate.

Sgd/- H.B.Wijekoon
Ag. Commanding Officer,
2 (V) Bn.,The Sri Lanka Light Infantry.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 69

In England , now, , in view of the connection between Heraldry and

Colours, The Garter Principal King of Arms is also the Inspector of
Regimental Colours, and some of his responsibilities as sole authority
on details appertaining to Standards, Guidons and Colours are:

To arrange for the preparation of drawings of new standards,

Guidons and Colours for approval by the Army Council and His Majesty
the King. The same custody of the above approved drawings as
authority of design for subsequent issues. The inspection for
conformity to design of standards, Guidons and Colours when
manufactured.

With the declaration of Sri Lanka as a Republic in 1972, the control and
authority of the Inspector of Regimental Colours, over Colours in Sri
Lanka, passed away. Like the King, the Head of State is the Fountain of
Honour; yet however soon after colonial rule, the Commonwealth
Status, the new Republic had no time, perhaps, to write down policy
and set up a controlling authority either for the state or indigenously
within the armed services for the Arms and Heraldry. The Army Order
AO 13/77 of 19th August 1977, is so far as the Armed Services were
concerned , was however, a step in that direction, laying down certain
rudimentary and regulatory procedures and instructions appertaining
to the award of Standards, Guidons and Colours.

The onus lay on the two battalions to have Colours designed; the only
recourse being to lean on and work within the basic principles
conformed to in Britain.
 70

There was close liaison between the two battalions in regard to the
design of the Colours, other connected accoutrements and the form in
regard to the Ceremonials of Presentation. The size of the Colours and
the specifications of ……….. the pikes were to remain the same as those
of the Colours of 1954. The design for the President’s Colour had
already been cast with the award of one to the Army Training Centre
Diyatalawa in 1972 ; consequently, he design and armorial
representation thereon had to be conformed to, with, of course,
appropriate changes made in the Regimental Nomenclature and
relevant battalion numerals.

The President’s Colours of the 2nd Volunteer battalion was the National
Flag of Sri Lanka, bearing in the Centre of the Green and Saffron strips
the Armorial Crest of the Republic of the Democratic Socialist Republic
of Sri Lanka; below the base of the National Armorial Crest, were, in
the following order; each separately, and placed in descending
position, the Regimental Numeral 2, the Sinhala word
ස්වේච්ඡා..(Meaning “Volunteer”) and the Regimental nomenclature
…………. (Sri Lanka Light Infantry). Several departures were made from
traditional British forms in that the Sinhala characters had replaced the
English, the Arabic numeral 2 replaced the Roman numeral II, and the
word “Volunteer” was first introduced on the Colour. This last
introduction was something the battalion coveted, and final approval
to carry it brought much satisfaction and pride among all ranks. The
fringes and cords and tassels were of Crimson and gold identical to
those of 1922 and 1954.

It was the intention of the battalion to use its Regimental colors of

Blue, Gold, Silver and Red on the Regimental Colour and use
meaningful traditional local emblems, designs, motiffs and art forms
 71

where-ever possible. The change that had undergone in the

Regimental Insignia, the Badge, has been discussed elsewhere in this
publication. The Union wreath of Roses, Thistles and Shamrocks
issuing from the same stalk on the Regimental Colours of 1922 and
1954 was an apt symbolic representation of unified England, Scotland
and Ireland. Authentic and acceptable emblematic representation of
the “Tri-Sinhale” (The Three Sinhale’s- three regions of ancient Ceylon)
was searched for, to present by conjoining them aesthetically a
symbolic representation of all regions of Ceylon in place of the Union
Wreath. As such were not available research was directed in other
directions and with the assistance of Officers of the Colombo Museum
whose services were obtained by courtesy of the Ministry of Cultural
Affairs and the Director of the National Museums Department, a more
general representation of the Four Directions were found; in that on
four corners of the border of the field on the Colour were placed the
four mythical ‘vehicles’ of the four Guardian Deities who protect the
four Directions; these four emblems were joined to one another by the
use of a traditional design , the “Liyawela” (a flowering vine).

The designing of the Regimental Colour needed much research; and

the production of many trial designs was done by Mr. Prabhath
Wijesekera, the Museum Artist on the advice of the Battalion Senor
Officers and Mr. Sunimal Lakdusinghe Asst. Ethnologist of the
Colombo Museum.

The Murayudha (Spear) used by medieval infantry of Sri Lanka was

chosen for the emblematic representation of the infantry in lieu of the
stringed bugle horn which was borne on the Older Regimental Colours.
An emblematic representation of the spirit of Volunteering on its
Regimental Colours was felt most desirable by the battalion and the
 72

upturned lotus to symbolize it, was univocally acceptable. The

repetition of the Armorial Crest of Sri Lanka on the Regimental Colour
over the Regimental device was to symbolize the distinction of the
Colours being granted by His Excellency The President in recognition
of the battalion’s service to the Country. The Arabic 2 is the Battalion
numeral, and the Sinhala word ස්වේච්ඡා (Volunteer), and the
Regimental Nomenclature in Sinhala were decided on for
incorporation on the Colour.

The final designs for the President’s and Regimental Colours of the 1st
and 2nd (Volunteer) Battalions the Sri Lanka Light Infantry were
presented to His Excellency The President for his approval of the
designs at his residence on May 1978 by the two Commanding Officers
– Lt. Col. C.A.M.N. de Silva, Commanding the 1st Battalion, and Lt. Col.
H.B. Wijekoon E.D., Commanding the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion. Apart
from His Excellency the president, others present were Col. C.A.
Dharmapala, Secretary Defence, and Major General J.E.D.B. Perera,
Commander of the Sri Lanka Army.

The blazon and representation of the Regimental Colour could briefly

be stated as the following. The dimensions are the same as the Colours
of 1922 and 1954. The field of the Colour is blue. The “Liyawela” motiff
running round the border is a reproduction of ancient traditional art.
It has a wide spectrum of symbolization such as Growth, Binding etc.
It has been used both in a decorative sense and to symbolize binding
or holding together. The Lion (Sinha), Elephant (Gaja), Horse (Ashva)
and Bull (Vurshabha) at the four corners and within the Liyawela depict
the Vehicles (Vahana) of the four traditional Guardian Deities
(Dhrutarashtra, Virudha, Virupaksha and Vaishravana) who protect
the four directions (Satara Disa). The composite border therefore, of
 73

the Liyawela entwining with the separately placed vahana of the

Guardians of the Four Directions (placed at the four corners of the
Colour) represents that the four directions are held together as one.
The Murayudha (spear) is an infantry weapon in ancient Sri Lanka, and
on the Colour the emblematic representation of four Ornamented
spear points depict the Infantry. An obligation of Rulers is to protect
the Country from foes and fears. The Murayudha at the four corners
portrays the Unit’s pledge to protect, defend and keep secure and
intact, the whole country. The Armorial Crest of Sri Lanka over the
Regimental device symbolizes, the honour granted to the Unit by the
Presentation of The Colour by his Excellency The President as Head of
State, and the White lotus flower below the Regimental device, an
emblematic representation of the spirit of “offering” or sacrifice by the
Volunteer. The fringes on the Regimental Colour are of white and gold.
The Cord and Tassels are of white and gold.

Paras 1, 4 and 6 of a Circular A/253/13 dated 11th August 1978

issued by the Commander of the Army are quoted below.

1. As I announced earlier the 1st and 2nd (v) Bn of the Sri Lanka
Light Infantry are to be presented with the President’s Colour
and Regimental Colours by H.R. the President on Army Day
1978.
4. It will be noted that each country has a diffident approach to
the award of Colours. In Sri Lanka too we have been previously
associated with the Commonwealth system of the award of
Colours to Regiments, but within the Commonwealth itself
there is deviation in the manner of award of Colours etc.
Therefore, whilst accepting the Common wealth pattern
 74

basically, slight local variations in the system are being

adopted
6. In the interim, H.E. has already approved the designs
submitted by the 1st Bn and the 2 (V) Bn of the Sri Lanka Light
Infantry for their Colours to be awarded on Army Day 1978.

While the representation of the Regimental Device and the

Regimental Nomenclature remained the same in the Regimental
Colours of the First and Second (Volunteer) Battalion, the general
design differed on the two flags. The original design of the
Regimental Colour of this Battalion submitted before His
Excellency, The President for his approval, and later autographed
by His Excellency, The Secretary Defence, The Commander of the
Army and the Commanding Officer, now hang framed in the
Officers’ mess of the Battalion.

An abstract but ornamented form of Punkalasa (Bowl of Plenty),

depicted in five convex strips was developed for the Pike head. On
each convex strip of the pike head for the President’s Colour, there
appeared in relief, in the order of vertical descending placements
The Dharmachakkra (The cypher used by His Excellency the
President), the heraldic National Lion and the three sheaves of
Paddy that ensign the bugle horn on the Regimental device; the
Bowl of Plenty ensigned with the armorial Crest of Sri Lanka. The
Pike head for the Regimental Colour took the identical form of the
Punkalasa, but each convex strip carried different symbols – a
repetition of same of those carried on the regimental Colour itself.
The top of each strip bore the top part of the regimental device,
namely, the three sheaves of Paddy the bottom symbol on each
 75

strip bore the lotus flower and in the centre of each of the four
strip bore the lotus flower and in the centre of each of the four
strips was a Lion, an Elephant, a Horse and a Bull – symbolizing in
each ‘vehicle’ one of the Four Guardian Deities. The Bowl was
ensigned with the Crest of the Sri Lanka Army, The decision to
surmount the Bowls of the Pike head with the Armorial Crest of
Ceylon in respect of the President’s Colour, and that of the
Regimental Colours with the Crest of Sri Lanka Army was greatly
influenced by the fact that it was so adopted by the Army Training
Centre who were the first to be granted Colours under the
Republic of Sri Lanka in 1972. In retrospect, it is however, the
writer’s own view that the bowl on the Pike Head of the
Regimental Colour should have been ensigned and adorned with
some regimental Symbol.
 76

The Colours had to be made and embroidered in Sri Lanka. As the

required qualities of Silks and thread, both, cotton, gold and silver
were not available in the Island, an Officer of the Volunteer
Battalion left for India to make the purchases for both Battalions.
Cotton thread was supplied by Madura Coates of Madras, the
Fringes and Cords and tassels were specially turned out by Ekanath
Enterprises of the same City, who were also helpful in obtaining
quality Gold and Silver thread. The Silk were supplied by Sarathas
of Madras. In Sri Lanka, the President’s Colour and the Regimental
Colour of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion were made and embroidered
at St. Anthony’s Convent in Colombo, from working designs made
out by the Museum Artist, under the watchful eye of Sister
Winifreda and her band of dedicated workers who fought a gallant
battle against time to complete making the Colours. The pike
heads were cast, intricately embossed and engraved by that
 77

ageing hill-country master craftsman D.C.M. Patabendi of

Nugawela.

The Battalion urged very strongly that the Presentation Parade be

held at a venue in Colombo, as it was central enough to the
families of the Battalion’s members to conveniently converge in
the city to witness the parade, and where vantage to witness the
parade have been adequate – a venue more favourable that the
residential Army Cantonment at Panagoda as indicated as likely by
the authorities at preliminary discussions. Extracts of A/253/13/1
of Army Headquarters, being Minutes of a Conference held at
Army HQ on 24th August 1978 in connection with the presentation
of Colours to 1/SLLI and 2(v) SLLI, dated 30th August 1978 are
reproduced below.

“Item 1. VENUE

The Comd confirmed that the venue would be the 1/SLLI parade
ground at Panagoda …………

The Comd added that the parade will be at 0830 hrs 10 Oct 78
………

Item 2. ACCOMMODATION FOR 2(V) SLLI

CO 1/SLLI stated that accommodation for 50 ORs and all Officers

could be provided at 1/1sLLI. Comd stated that WESCOMD will
arrange for the balance troops to be accommodated at 4 Regt. SLA
and 1 Fd Regt. SLE”.
 78

One month prior to the Parade, Officers , Other /ranks and the
Drum and Fife Band of the Volunteer Battalion moved into the
Army Cantonment at Panagoda, approx. fifteen miles away from
Colombo to live in, carry on training and receive the Colours.

The Presentation

10th October 1978, the Sri Lanka Army Cantonment, Panagoda,

Homagama. The hard, gravel –pressed, sand Coloured parade
square of the 1st Battalion The Sri Lanka Light Infantry stood
spruced and ready to have on it a Ceremony significant and
historic – the like of which had not taken place before. On the East
side of the perimeter was the Saluting Dais against a background
of the Regular Battalion’s Shrine Room and Museum, and beyond
it like a back drop the hills of Sabaragamuwa. Spectator Stands
flanked the Saluting dais, becoming Colourful as spectators
trickled in. On the West perimeter kitul palms stood like silent
sentinels lined up to witness an august ceremonial in muted
silence. Perimeter guards of both the Regular and Volunteer
Battalions stood on three sides of the square, dressed in
Ceremonial.
 79

The two battalions formed up on the Sports Ground of the 1st

Battalion and marched with their Drum and Fife Bands on to the
Parade Square, led by the Army Military Band with no. 4 Guard of
the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion leading, in Column of Route in threes,
to the music of “Thin Red Line” and “Light Infantry”. The Seconds-
in-Command led the Battalions from the forming-up place to the
Parade Square, where the parades were to be handed over to the
respective Commanding Officers. The volunteer Battalion
marched on to the parade ground and formed into a L formation
along the perimeter, letting the Regular Battalion following it, take
the same formation. The Seconds-in-Command advance their
battalions in succession and dressed them; and then a hollow
square faced the Saluting dais, with the Colour parties of each
Battalion, placed between No 2 and No 3 Guards and positioned
 80

obliquely acing the dais at the two corners. Each Guard Company
of the Battalion comprised of 3 officers and 70 other ranks, and
the officers on parade were grouped as:-

Command Element

Lt. Col. H.B Wijekoon, E.D., Commanding Officer

Capt N. Mallawarachchi, Adjutant

Warrant Officer Class I, J.K.R. Weerakoon, Regimental

Sergeant Major

Guard No: 1

Major A.E.R. Abeyesinghe, Commanding, and Bn 2nd- in-

Command.

Lt. G.K. Wickremasinghe

2/Lt. L.A. Cooray

Guard No: 2

Major S.B.G. de Silva, Commanding

Lt. D.C. de Livera

Lt. W.S.G. Dias

Colour Party

Lieut. M.A.D.F.D, Arsecularatne – President’s Colour

 81

2/Lt. A.U.C. Suraweera - Regimental Colour

19133 WO II M.C.P. Wickremaratne

19345 Sgt. S.P. Fernando Escort to the Colours

19528 Sgt. W.W.S. Silva

Major A.E.R. Abeyesinghe – 2nd in Comd and Senior Major

Major A.P.D. Edirisuriya – Junior Major Majors

at the Presentation

Guard No. 3

Major L.D.S. Kariyawasan - Commanding

Lt. G.R. M.R.P, Jayawardena

2/Lt. L.H.N. Rajaratne

Guard No. 4 (Also Escort to the Colours during Trooping)

Major A.P.D. Edirisuriya – Commanding

Capt. A.S. Mathuranayagam – In command of Guard during

Trooping

Lt. J.D.R. Jayakody

Quarter Master (Officiating)

Lt. N. Senanayake
 82

Off-set by the sand-Coloured parade ground, the hollow square

formed by the two battalions …… their Black boots, Olive Green
Uniforms, the White Belts, Gaiters, and gloves, their Scarlet Scarves,
blue berets adorned with the white hackles made a picturesque sight.
The band and drums stood positioned on the right limb of the hollow
square.

A Roll of drums ……then the Bugle Majors of both battalions marched

a Bass drummer, a Tenor drummer and six Side drummers each in file,
who piled the drums before each Battalion, working together, as if
choreographed, and marched back in similar precision, the Colour
Ensigns moved out and took positions, in the rear of their Battalion
seconds-in-commands with the Senior ensign on the right of the
Second-in-command ………… the Junior Majors marched out to take
their positions on the left of the Colour Ensigns……….Two soldiers from
 83

each of the two battalions marched out together, each carrying scarlet
cushion, with easy grace in quick time …….. they placed the cushions
before the respective pile of drums……….bending together, rising
together, turning about together, and marched away. The Assembly
Calls on the bugles’…………. The Call to signal The commanding Officers
to take over. The Seconds-in-Command who upto this stage
Commanded their respective Battalions brought them to the
‘Attention’ position……………………then, to “Shoulder Arms” handed
over the Battalions, and took up their positions as Senior Majors on
the right side of their Senior Colour Ensigns.

A roll of Drums again! Then the Colour parties under the Quarter
Master marched up to their respective piles of drums. Solemnly, the
drummers uncased the Colours; and like a secret being unfolded….. a
hush hung; fold by fold, like the pages of a book of history, a legacy,
Colourfully written in embroidery over silk, the Colours
unfolded………….The quarter master took the uncased Colours from
the Colour Sergeant and placed them on the pile of drums, the
President’s Colour on top … A Roll of Drums again! The drummers
handed over the Colour cases to the Quartermaster who marched
back to his position.

Volunteer Battalion to receive His Excellency’s Colour and a

Regimental Colour, knelt as a Colour Officer before Her Majesty the
queen in 1954 to receive from her hands the Queen’s Colour for the
Volunteer Battalion and, standing before No.2 Guard of the battalion
was Lt. D.C. de Livera, whose grandfather Lt. E.J.Jayaweera, as the
Senior Colour Officer received the King’s Colour at the hands of the
Prince of Wales in 1922. There were other noteworthy events….the
Premawardenas…….father and son on parade; Sgt.
 84

H.D.T.Premwardena on parade with the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion, and

his son Pte. H.D.T.A. Premawardena with the Drum and Fife band of
the 1st Regular Battalion.

The parade awaited the arrival of His Excellency The President. From
his arrival onword the parade was to act on the words of Command of
Col. C.A.M.N. Silva of the 1st (Regular) Battalion – the senior of the two
Commanding Officers. The Message of the Commanding Officer Lt.
Col. H.B. Wijekoon E.D., of the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion would have
been echoing in the ears of his Battalion as they waited poised on
parade; so, it would have been with the spectators as they browsed
through the programme of the ceremonial awaiting its
commencement.

“It adds to the sparkle of 97 years of existence of this Volunteer Unit

when it receives the Presidential and Regimental Colours at the hands
of the first Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of
Sri Lanka, Mr. J.R. Jayewardene, on the 10th October 1978 – a
reconfirmation of the recognition of service, confidence and honour,
that the Volunteers won for their name ‘The Ceylon Light Infantry’, in
1922, when the Prince of Wales presented the Unit with Colours of the
then British Sovereign.

Happy indeed, is the coincidence that it as the uncle of His Excellency

the President Lieut. Colonel T.G.W. Jayewardene who commanded the
Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers when it first received this signal
honour in 1922.

The date of Presentation of the Presidential and Regimental Colour,

Army Day 10th October, provokes reminiscing; for it was those
 85

members of the C.L.I. Volunteers and those that joined the several
other Battalions raised under its name to meet the multifarious duties
during World War II, and who subsequently chose soldiering as a
profession, that formed the nucleus of the Regular Army of
Independent Ceylon in 1948; and with the inauguration of the Ceylon
Army in 1949, the disappointing metamorphosis that took place in the
Unit’s nomenclature, in that it was designated the 2nd (Volunteer)
Battalion of the Ceylon Light Infantry.

The History of the Unit needs no construction. It lives in the wake of

its 97 years of Volunteer Service to the Nation, scribed in books and
records and documents; in citations and encomiums, engraved in Rolls
of Honour and Plaques of Commemoration. It lives in the Banner won
in 1901 and the Colours first won in 1922; in its faithful adherence to
its motto “I SERVE’; and in the Spirit of Volunteering it gave birth to in
1881, and has like a mother proud of her family, seen Volunteering
grow like acorns from the Oak, into other Units.

As the custodian, holding in sacred trust, the distinguished record of

Services, Honour and Traditions, built nurtured and upheld by my
illustrious predecessors from Lieut. Colonel John Scott Armitage in
1881, down the 97 Golden Years of Volunteering, I take pride that the
presentation of the Presidential and Regimental Colours to this unit by
His Excellency the President is a recognition of the Unit’s selfless
service to the Nation and an appreciation of the spirit of volunteering,
which, in its nascency in the C.L.I. Volunteers in 1881, was a resurgence
of the marital spirit of a country long under foreign domination.

The presentation is a glowing satisfaction and a matter of pride to

those serving and to those of the past, and , may it stimulate those
 86

who will join the Unit’s ranks in the future to tread the same path of
Excellency it has kept to in these ninety seven years.

To those serving and to those that may join in the future, I command
those inspiring words enshrined in the C.L.I. Regulations –

‘It is not by the partial exertions of a few but by

The united and continuous efforts of all, that the

Traditions and discipline of the Regiment can be

Maintained. The utmost zeal and Endeavour and the

Highest ideals of the Volunteer Movement are therefore

Expected from all ranks’.

And wish that the passion and spirit of Volunteering will gather more
and more strength and distinction in the future.

Today, this unit receives Colours along with the 1st (Regular) Battalion
which, since 1949, shares with us the same name. We also share with
them, in comradeship, our pride on this significant and historic
occasion. May the Regiment, in its progress through time, uphold its
ideals and traditions and gather fame. Floreat”.

The distant throb of the motorcycle escort to His Excellency’s car

signaled his approach to the 1st Battalion area in the cantonment…….a
tremor of expectation would have run through the soldier and
spectator ….. and then as the vanguard of pilot jeep and the motor
cycle escort came into view of the Parade, Col. C.A.M.N. Silva brought
 87

both Battalions to attention….and then to shoulder arms. As His

Excellency and Mrs. Jayewardene alighted from their car they were
met by the Commander of the Army and Mrs. Perera. His Excellency
was conducted to the Saluting dais, and as he took up his position the
parade Commander ordered the Presidential Salute, and the parade
presented Arms …………. both Battalions acting as one in the concerted
staccato of sound and movement that followed, the precise
punctuation between movements highlighted by the metronomic
movement of the white gloves. The band broke into the National
Anthem and on the sand-Coloured spotless parade ground the black
boots, the white anklets, and olive green slacks, white belts and
gloves…..the olive green jackets, the scarlet and white cravats…..the
proud faces, the blue berets and white hackles stood still in
salute……Colourful, picturesque like a painting on canvas……….

The senior Battalion commanding officer invited the chaplains to bless

the Colours. The chaplains:-

Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Mahanayake Thero

Srimath Swami Parematmanandaji

Arch Bishop Nickalus Marcus Fernando

Bishop Swithin Fernando

Katheeb Al Haj M.M.I. Abdul Hameed-Noori,

were conducted to their positions in the centre and to the rear of the
piled drums, and, facing the saluting dais. His Excellency was
conducted bathe Commander of the Army to a point in front. The two
 88

Battalion commanders then brought their respective Battalions to

attention and solemnly the consecration took place.

Signalled by a Roll on the Drums, the senior and Junior Majors and the
Colour Officers returned their Swords and stepped forward to their
positions by their respective piles of drums. The majors turned
inwards, the Colour officers went down on the cushions on their right
knees. Colonel C.A.M.N. Silva, the Senior Commanding Officer then
invited His Excellency the President to present the Colours to the two
Battalions.

The presentation first took place to the 1st Regular Battalion. The
Commander of the Army then conducted His Excellency the President
to the pile of drums of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion. Lt. Col. H.B.
Wijekoon E.D., received His Excellency. Major A.E.R. Abeyesinghe, the
Senior Major picked the President’s Colour from the pile of drums and
handed it to His Excellency. His Excellency moving up presented it to
Lt. M.A.D.F.D. Arsecularatne, the Senior Colour Officer who received it
going down on one knee. The Junior Major A.P.D. Edirisuriya picked up
the Regimental Colour and handed it to His Excellency. His Excellency
presented it to 2/Lt. A.U.C. Suraweera the Junior Colour Officer who
received it as did the Senior Colour Officer. The President
accompanied by the Commander of the Army retired to his original
position in front and in the Centre of the two piles of drums ……the
Colour Officers rose….. a Roll on the drums; the Senior and Junior
Majors drew Swords together, and saluted the Colours……the two
Commanding Officers brought their Battalions to stand at ease.

His Excellency President, J.R. Jayewardene addressed both Battalions

“General Dennis Perera, officers and men of the Sri Lanka army,
 89

Guests, I am very happy to be present here this morning to present

Colours to the 1st Battalion and the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion of the Sri
Lanka Light Infantry. The habit of offering Colours to Regiments in the
Army is an old practice even in our country. At that time Colours were
not presented to Regiments or Battalions but to districts; and the
Korale Flags of the Districts of Sri Lanka were the Flags round which
the people gathered, the armies fought, and the Independence of our
country was preserved for over two thousand years. Once we came
under British rule western practice of offering Colours to Regiments
which had distinguished themselves at wars was followed in this
country. For the first time Colours were presented to the Volunteers
of the Ceylon Light Infantry. I am happy to be able to recall that event,
in 1922, when as a young man of sixteen, I saw His Royal Highness The
Prince of Wales presenting the Colours to the Ceylon Light Infantry,
which at that time was commanded by my uncle, Lt. Col. T.G.W.
Jayewardene. After that, in 1954, Her majesty The Queen came to Sri
Lanka and presented Colours to the same Force.

For the first time since we became a Republic, and for the first time
after we had an elected President, I have the honour and the privilege
to present Colours to the 1st Battalion and the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion
of the Ceylon Light Infantry Regiment. I am very happy indeed to be
able to present these Colours to your two distinguished Battalions,
because you have won distinction both in war and in peace; and your
discipline and your courage the reward that you have been given
today.

May I therefore, on behalf of the Government thank you for this very
disciplined parade, and for receiving these Colours, which I think you
deserve”.
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After the Commanding Officer of the 1st Regular Battalion had replied,
Lt. Col. H.B.Wijekoon, Commanding the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion said
–

“Your Excellency,

On behalf of all members of the Volunteer Battalion of the Sri Lanka

Light Infantry I most respectively offer Your Excellency my sincere
thanks for having graciously approved the grant of your Excellency’s
and Regimental Colours, and for personally presenting them.

At the same time may I state that while we pride ourselves at this
award as a recognition of the valour and virtues displayed by this
Volunteer Battalion over its history of ninety seven years, I assure Your
Excellency that this Battalion will continue to perform with distinction
the duties that have been performed during its long history, Your
Excellency”.

His Excellency retired to the saluting dais…………..the drummers

marched in and unpiled the drums and marched them away, the
Chaplains retired………..the Senior and Junior Majors returned to their
positions with the respective Battalions, The parade was brought to
attention; and after a Roll on the Drums the Colour Officers turned
about to face the parade. Here were, once more an honour
inherited…………and duties, responsibilities and obligations and hopes
for the future. On the Command of the Senior Battalion Commander,
the parade presented arms in salute to the Colours, and then in slow
time, while the band played the National Anthem of Sri Lanka, the
President’s and Regimental Colours were borne by the two Colour
Officers to their position in the Battalion.
 91

The parade is at shoulder arms once again when the Senior Battalion
Commander reports the parade is ready for inspection. The volunteer
Battalion was brought to the position of standing at ease while His
Excellency accompanied by its commanding officer inspected the 1st
Regular Battalion………..the Commander of the army followed a few
paces behind. ………the bands playing the Sinhala melody “Suwanda
Rosa mal Nela” and “My Bonnie lies Over the Ocean”. As His Excellency
was moving to the end of the line of the 1st Battalion, Lt. Col. H.B.
Wijekoon brought the 2nd Volunteer Battalion to attention, saluted His
Excellency and conducted him to inspect the Volunteer Battalion; the
band breaking into that haunting nostalgic melody from Chaplin’s
limelight, “Eternally” perhaps the association His Excellency ‘s family
had with this Volunteer Battalion would have come to his mind as he
walked past them The inspection over and the two Battalions readied
themselves to go through the innovated and abridged trooping the
Colours that was to follow. The senior Battalion commander ordered
“Prepare to troop”.
 92

The band and drums of both Battalions stepped out, marching in slow
time the music of “By land and Sea” led by Kandula II, the affectionate
elephant Mascot of the 1st regular Battalion, caparisoned in all its
ceremonial regalia; as he passed the dais he lifted his trunk in salute
to His Excellency. The band having reached the end of the line of march
counter marched and came to a halt; then stepping into quick time to
the music of “Bugles” it marched past again.

Simultaneously, Officers and Colour parties of both Battalions re-

positioned themselves and the Guard Companies formed into two
files, for the Trooping – the Colour Party of the 2nd (Volunteer)
Battalion with its No.4 Guard, and that of the 1st (Regular) Battalion
with its No.1 Guard; the Colour Officers three paces in front and centre
of their respective Escorts for the Colours, with the President’s Colour
on the right; the Warrant Officer and Colour Sergeants of the Colour
Party three paces to the rear of the Escort to the Colours, with the
Warrant Officer on the right. The Battalions were brought to the
Shoulder Arms position and the Senior Battalion Commander order
“Escorts to the Colour will advance by the Right and Left – Slow March”
…. The bands struck “Echelon” in slow time …. ; and the Colours with
the Escorts moved forward like two opposing phalanxes moving
against one another with their Ensigns in the vanguard …. Feet
crunching as they slid on the surface of the hard gravel …. To the
sonorous ‘boom’ on the Bass Drum they approached one another …..
from the right and the left, towards each other, on the same axis of
march.

As they neared the saluting dais the second volunteer Battalion turned
left and wheeled right, the 1st regular Battalion wheeling left …………..
the two escorts converged like two tributaries merging into a cascade,
 93

their Colours on their respective outsides ……………. away from the

saluting dais down a line, seeking their respective Battalions they
came. As the escorts neared the dividing line, between their two
Battalions, the No. 4 guard of the regular Battalion, and the No. 1
guard of the volunteer Battalion, the respective Battalion
Commanders ordered a salute to the Colours and the Battalions
presented arms. The cascade then divided wheeling away, parting into
tributaries again ……….. the Colours and escort of the 1st regular
Battalion to the left and the 2nd volunteer Battalion to the
right…………..the Colours Slow marching in front of each guard, the
escort marching between each static file of the Stationary Guard
Companies display of the new Colours to the Battalion …………. the
escort moving alongside ……….. as they passed, hackles moved along
between the files of those which were still; so it continued, this proud
moment for all ….. another milestone since 1881, the continuance of
a heritage of Colours since 1922 ……, the Colours before the first
Guard, the Second and the Third, the escort through them ……… they
trooped through the Battalion halting finally from where it left, to
coincide with that of the 1st Regular Battalion. Inward they both turned
and the escorts presented arms to the Colours to be so in Salute with
the rest of the Battalion. The Parade shouldered arms and Ordered
arms; and the Colour parties and Officers got to their original positions
on parade.

The March Past commenced, the respective Commanding Officers

turning their Battalions to the right. The massed bands were
positioned near the saluting base and first, the 1st regular Battalion
marched past in slow time in Review Order and led by the Mascot.
Then the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion…….in the vanguard the Command
 94

group of Lt. Col. H.B. Wijekoon, E.D., Captain N. Mallawarachchi, the

Adjutant, and the Regimental Sergeant Major WO I J.K.R, Weerakoon;
followed by the 1st guard commanded by Major A.E.R. Abeyesinghe,
the 2nd commanded by Major S.B.G. de Silva, then The Colour Party Lt.
M.A.D.F.D. Arsecularatne carrying the President’s Colour, 2/Lt. A.U.C.
Suraweera, the Regimental Colour……..WO II M.C.P. Wickremaratne,
and Sergeants S.P. Fernando and W.W.S. Silva the escort to the
Colours………..the Colour Officers dipping the Colours in salute to His
Excellency the President………….the 3rd guard commanded by Major
L.D.S. Kariyawasan, and finally the 4th commanded by Major A.P.D.
Edirisuriya, which also acted as escort to the Battalion’s Colours during
the ceremonial of trooping. As the Battalion passed the spectator
stands it drew rounds of applause and encouraging words. To the
strains of the Regimental march “I’m Ninety Five” the two Battalions
broke into QuickTime and march past again, unfurling the Colours in
salute to His Excellency the President this time in slow and quick time
……………Colours marching troops of both Battalions moving
anticlockwise along the marching lines round the perimeter of the
Parade Square………..to return again……………like a carousal ……the
momentum………………the flashing Colour, the faces…..the music……..
the white mittened synchronized swing of arms………………..the martial
steps, and then when they had all paid their compliments, they came
to the halt at their original position forming a Hollow Square to pay the
final compliment to His Excellency in the Ceremonials for the day.

On the command of the senior Battalion commander, the two

Battalions which were formed in a Hollow Square advanced 17 paces
in review order, and then on his command, presented Arms in a final
presidential salute to His Excellency the President. His Excellency
 95

accompanied by the Commander of the Army left the dais. The

Commanding Officers handed over their respective Battalions to their
Seconds in Command, who in turn dispersed the Colour parties, the
Bands, the Officers and their men.

In a while the parade square was bare – as it would look on a normal

day –but over it the mutely hung memories of a significant and historic
occasion……….echoes of music, words of command and crunching feet
and unseen shadows of the Colours of just a while ago prevailed; and
it will be said in the future. “Oh, it was here in 1978, that………….” And
then that day will live again – the echoes will resound, the ground will
feel those concerted footsteps………………..”

Old soldiers, some who served and retired before the Second World
War, others who served then, and still offered their services to
Volunteering and then retired………past Commanding Officers, well-
wishers, gathered around those members of the 2nd that paraded and
congratulated them on a parade well done – they had all risen to this
great occasion in usual tradition they said, and on this day none had
done better than they……only as well; or the 2nd as well as the 1st.

His Excellency the President sat for a photograph with the Officers of
the 2nd Battalion who participated in the ceremonial on the lawn
outside the Officer’s Mess of the 1st Battalion at the Panagoda
Cantonment. While the Colours of the 1st Battalion were displayed in
their Officers Mess, the 2nd moved out of the Panagoda Cantonment,
a month since they arrived here for training, by transport, to
commence their Route March in the city of Colombo and march with
their Colours to lodge them at the Headquarters of the Volunteer
Battalion at Baladaksha Mawatha.
 96

The Battalion debussed at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha

(Greenpath) Vihara Maha Devi Park; the Battalion formed up, the
Colours were ceremonially uncased and marched in, and the Battalion
now under the command of its own commanding officer commenced
its march in……………….in column of route with the Drum and Fife band
leading – turning off Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha (Green Path)
in to Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha (Cambridge Place) , past the War
Memorial to which it paid compliments………….into Dharmapala
Mawatha (Turret Road) and then on to Galle Road. After a month’s
training, exacting rehearsals during the last few days and the great
effort at the ceremonial itself that morning, this Route March of
approximately 04 miles at high noon was looked forward to and
relished with great enthusiasm – the elixir was the Regimental March
to which the Battalion threw its step out to begin marching and the
fact that they were proudly carrying the Colours home. Up Galle Road,
the Battalion came………arms swinging together ………..feet moving
together………Chins held high with pride………the Bugle Major
expounding his artistry with the Mace.

It was a surprise when the guards at the rear of the Battalion heard
commands for paying compliments with an “Eyes Right” on Galle Face
Centre Road. When curious Commanders of Guards positioned
themselves on the march to look ahead ………..they knew…….His
Excellency the President was on his way home, travelling in the
opposite direction to the Battalion, but passing it;……commands shot
out, and the men responded quickly and magnificently; the Colours
unfurled at this opportunity to salute His Excellency again; and as His
Excellency’s car slowly passed the length of the marching Battalion, his
family had served in, and, which he had honoured only on this same
 97

morning, he was all smiles, and acknowledge the salutes right along –
to everyone this occurrence was like garnishing a Day to Remember.

Down Galle Face Centre Road into Baladaksha Mawatha (Lower Lake
Road) near the National State Assembly the Battalion turned for
home……the band changed into the Regimental March………..the
Battalion Quarter Guard turned out, and stood at the ‘Present”…….the
Battalion wheeled into its Home. Gathered at Battalion Headquarters
were past officers and soldiers and their families , in some cases wives
of those who have passed way……..those marching-in these Colours
felt proud of their presence; perhaps those that gathered were
satisfied that the present had kept alive the heritage……carrying the
flaming torch they threw for us to hold…….not out of compulsion by
profession but of free and voluntary patriotism…….in that spirit of
volunteering and sacrifice they bequeathed to us ….to selflessly serve.

The Colours were ceremonially marched out of the parade to the

Battalion headquarters building where the Commanding Officer’s
office was specially dressed up, red carpeted from floor to floor, and
Kandyan “Reli Palan” decorative art, in the Regimental Colours,
tastefully adorned the walls and ceiling; and there they were reposed,
standing between the two Rolls of Honour on the Walls, for all Ranks
and visitors to file past and see them. The Colours lay so till noon the
following day.

In the Officers’ Mess , the Warrant Officers’ mess and men’s

canteen…………….the old met the present; memories were recounted,
laughs were had and sometimes eyes moistened at reminiscences
among the old………..those no more were remembered. And later
about eight hundred sat at the All Ranks lunch that followed where
 98

visitors and families of soldiers and officers……..those serving and of

the past, and well-wishers all sat together.

It was a fitting tribute to the Volunteer Battalion – to its origins, history

and traditions, when it had to parade a Guard of Honour to Col. Sir
John Kotelawala, one time Prime Minister of Ceylon, on the day
following the Presentation of Colours, 11 October 1978, when he
arrived to open the new Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Headquarters
at Baladaksha Mawatha, Colombo; with which guard the new
Regimental Colour was paraded. On this occasion the guard was
commanded by Captain A.D. Mathuranayagam and the Regimental
Colour was carried by 2/Lieut A.U.C. Suraweera. This occasion was
significant to the Unit, for General Sir John served in the Volunteer
Battalion of the Ceylon Light Infantry, and was one of the oldest living
members of the Battalion then, and, Volunteering in Sri Lanka grew
out of the Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers.

********************

Trooping the Colours 1981.

(From Pebbles of the Sand)

Augmentations of Honour on Military Colours presented by a

Sovereign or Head of State to commemorate battle honours, and
significant and commendable deeds of the Unit, derive their origin
from Augmentations of Honour of Heraldry; just one word to denote
a campaign, or a battle, where the Unit has commendably
participated; dates that symbolise an era of service that rings of
sacrifice, resolution and dedication and etc.
 99

The reply from the Garter King of Arms, Sir, Arthur Colin Cole was most
encouraging, helpful and favourable. Sir Arthur had even sent us a
draft design for the Augmentation of Honour which is what His
Excellency approved, and we carry on the Regimental Colour.

The Commander of the Army recommended our request and His

Excellency the President issued a Proclamation in the Sri Lanka
Government Gazette of 17 March 1981 stating, “It is hereby notified
that His Excellency the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic
of Sri Lanka and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Force has been
graciously pleased to permit the Second Volunteer Battalion The Sri
Lanka Light Infantry to carry an Augmentation of Honour to
commemorate one hundred years of volunteer service to the nation
to be borne on the Regimental Colour described hereunder :-
 100

‘A Sinhala sword with the scroll bearing

dates 1881-1981 across the sword to be
placed on the lower Canton on the
Dexter side of the Regimental Colour’.

Consequently the Regimental Colour of the Battalion paraded, since

its Centenary, carrying the Augmentation of Honour conferred on it by
His Excellency the President.

The piece de resistance for the day, and really for the week was the
spectacle of the Trooping the Colour Ceremonial by both Battalions of
the Sri Lanka Light Infantry, on the Police Grounds in Havelock Road in
Colombo 5, before His Excellency the President in the evening.

The significance of Trooping the Colour has been commented on

earlier in my recollections. In present practice only the Colour of the
Head of State is carried; and the Colour of the Head of State and the
 101

Regimental Colour is trooped together only at a presentation of new

Colours.

Colours are not usually carried except by an Officer. This ritual or

Ceremony however, starts with them in Charge of a Sergeant and two
Sentries guarding them from harm, a token of confidence in the men.
Later a Subaltern assumes Command of the Right Guard, a tribute to
youth and a Symbol of the responsibility which youth is expected to
assume. The Regimental Sergeant Major draws his sword during the
Ceremony, the only occasion on which he does so. This is in order that
he may pay full honour when saluting the Colour before returning
them to the custody of an Officer.

There are five different stages, one leading into the other, in the
Ceremonial of Trooping the Colour. They are getting on Parade,
Preliminaries under the Adjutant, Preliminaries under the
Commanding Officer, The Troop, and the March Past. To be kind to
readers, I will be recalling my remembrances of only the last two
stages of the Ceremonial on the evening of the 1st April 1981, and it is
likely I will have to refer to my documents in file to assist an ageing
memory !.

The Officers of the Battalion on Parade were the following:-

Commanding Officer -Lt. Col.A. E. R. Abeyesinghe

Second-in-Command - Major S. B. G. de Silva
Adjutant - Capt. D. C. de Livera
No. 1. Guard -Major S. B. G. de Silva
2/Lt. L. C. Perera
 102

Escort for the Colour - Lt. A. U. C. Suraweera

No. 2. Guard - Major L. D. S. Kariyawasan
Capt.A.S. Mathuranayagam
2/Lt. A. E. Edema

No. 3. Guard -Major A. P. D. Edirisuriya

Capt. J. D. R. Jayakody
2/Lt. L. A. Cooray
Ensign for the Colour -2/lt. L. C. Perera
Keepers of the Ground -Capt. N. Senanayake
Lt. G. K. Wickramasinghe
2/Lt. B. S. de Silva

Regimental Sergeant Major -WOI J. K. R. Weerakoon

Colour Escorts - Pte. B. S. Fernando
Pte. Y.N. Hendanayake

The parade awaited the arrival of His Excellency. When His Excellency
arrived he was met by the Commander of the Army and was led to the
Saluting Dais. The Parade presented Arms in Salute; and the Senior
Parade Commander reported the Parade to His Excellency and sought
 103

his permission to Troop the Colour. Both Battalions trooped only the
President’s Colour.

The Band and Drums with the Regimental Mascot commenced the
Trooping by Saluting the Colour, while a slow march was played on its
way from right to left and a quick march on its way from left to right.
Immediately the Band and Drums ceased to play, a lone Drummer beat
the “Drummers Call”.

The Subalterns of the Escort for the Colour took charge of the Escort
from the Major who moved out to another position. The Regimental
Sergeant Major then took a position at the rear of the Escort and drew
his Sword.

The Escorts moved out and formed up in front of their respective

Battalions facing the Captain. The Colour Party simultaneously
stepped out and halted 20 paces in front their respective Escorts.

Now occurred the most impressive part of the ceremony. Regimental

Sergeant Majors of the two Battalions; as representatives of Warrant
Officers, Non Commissioned Officers and Men of each Battalion,
moved up to their respective Colour Parties, halted, and saluted the
Colours with their drawn swords. They then received the Colour from
the Sergeant into their left hands and turned about and took sufficient
paces forward to enable them to hand the Colour to the respective
Ensigns. The respective Ensigns then Saluted the Colours with their
Sword, and received the Colour from the Regimental Sergeant Major,
guided the Pike into his Colour Belt; and turned to face the Escort. The
Colour is received with full honour, with the Escort Presenting Arms,
and the Sergeants on the flanks of the Escort Presenting Arms, and
 104

the Sergeants on the flanks of the Escort took a half turn outwards and
bringing their Arms to the “port” position. The significance of this
movement being that; in the past Sergeants used to be armed with the
Halbred and the ‘port” was the first movement to bring the weapon
down for attack or defence. The Escort when “presenting arms” being
defenseless, are protected by the Sergeants from the attack.

The Escorts of the Colours having shouldered arms stepped out in a

series of intricate evolutions in slow time to the rhythm of the
Regimental Slow March; and moved back to their original position in
the line by filing through the ranks of their respective Guards who
Presented Arms.

Back in their original positions the Escort Presented Arms to Honour

the Colour. The Parade got ready for the final phase of the Troop, the
March Past, and the Bands moved into their position in the Centre of
the Parade Ground facing the Saluting Dais.

The March Past commenced on an order from the Senior Battalion

Commander. The 1st Battalion stepping out in slow time, followed by
the 2nd Battalion in similar rhythm to the tunes of “Scipio” and
“Echelon”. To digress a while, I had been told long years ago, when I
was a Subaltern, that the score of the music for the Slow March
“Echelon” was composed by Band Master Perry of the Ceylon Army
Band in the 1950s, based on the Regimental Quick March of the Ceylon
Light Infantry “I’m Ninety Five”. I don’t know to what extent this
information is correct!

The 1st Battalion dipped their Colours in salute to His Excellency and
marched on, followed by us of the 2nd. Sooner I had passed the
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Saluting Dais in salute to His Excellency, I had to disengage myself from

the marching column and join his Excellency on the Dais until the last
in my column of Guards had passed. The Senior Commanding Officer
kept his position on the Parade to give his Command to break into
quick time. So we came marching again with 1st Battalion leading now
in quick time to the tune of “Light of Foot”, “I’m Ninety Five”, and
“Great Little Army”; this time the Colour not being dipped but unfurled
on the quick march, the Officers saluting with their Swords and the
Men smartly turning their heads and eyes to the right. Having
completed the March Past in quick time the Parade halted and turned
to face the Saluting Dais.

Then, on the Command of the Senior Battalion Commander both

Battalions of over 500 Officers and Men quick marched 14 steps
forward in line without faulting a step, without getting out of line, to
the tune of the Regimental March “I’m Ninety Five” ; and at the 14 th
step on the right foot and then a short step with the left foot, in a flash,
those 500 right knees went up, thigh parallel to the ground,
simultaneously the swinging arm froze against the side, and 500
booted right feet crashed into the turf together in a halt that shook
the Parade Ground, and the Band ceased playing; and the Parade
stood still as if hewn out of stone ! Then at the Command of the Senior
Battalion Commander the Parade Presented Arms in Salute to His
Excellency The President; and that was the Finale to the military
‘Ballet’ of Trooping the Colour. The spectators responded with loud
and lingering applause.

The Senior Battalion Commander brought the Parade to ‘Stand-at-

Ease’ and, after it His Excellency the President addressed both
Battalions. After the Address the two Battalions once more Presented
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Arms in a final Salute to His Excellency. Then the dispersal procedure

for the two Battalions commenced.

A very touching event occurred soon after Trooping the Colour was
over when members of the CLI Association comprising those who have
served the Regiment during the Colonial, Dominion and Republican
eras and have retired held a cameo parade before His Excellency the
President. About a 100 of them smartly dressed in civilian clothes and
without carrying arms led by the Veteran, Brigadier C. P. Jayewardene
got on Parade to the strains of “Old Soldiers Never Die”. Brigadier
Jayewardene reported the Parade to His Excellency; and His Excellency
inspected them while the Band played the “Anniversary Waltz”. After
the inspection His Excellency returned to the Saluting Dais; after which
the CLI Veterans led by Brigadier C. P. Jayewardene performed a
spritely March Past, paying compliments to His Excellency while the
Bands played the tunes, “It’s a Long Way To Tipperary”, “I’m Ninety
Five”, and finally “Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag”. The
Veterans got a standing ovation from the spectators and those all over
the round’.

After the March Past of the Veterans the Army Band led by Lt. (QM) S.
Mohanasundaram and the Drum and Fife Bands of the 1st and 2nd
Battalions of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry led by Bugle Major Colour
Sergeant G. A. Albert offered the spectators and participants of the
Parade a fiesta of music and an exhibition of evolutions made while
marching and counter marching in slow and quick time in beating the
Retreat. After the sounding of the Retreat the curtain fell over the
day’s proceedings. His Excellency the President departed.
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We who participated in the Parade were satisfied that we gave our

best; and our thanks went to those instructors of the 1st Battalion who
selflessly and tirelessly inducted us into the levels of proficiency that
we maintained. And so to the Bands who assisted us “every step’ of
the way through this ritual!

Congratulatory message on the day’s events, especially in regard to

Trooping the Colour were received by our Battalion – from past
members of the Unit and invitees. Quoting below a letter, written in
language above those of routine compliment by Captain Oscar M.
Abey’Ratne, who had served the Unit during the Colonial era, and
authored the “History of the Ceylon Light Infantry”. Writing from his
residence in Nawala Road, Rajagiriya on 20 April 1981, he wrote to
Lt.Col.AER Abeyesinghe, personally;

(QUOTE) Having been privileged to see the Centennial Trooping the

Colour by the 2nd (Vol) Bn, The Sri Lanka Light Infantry I would be failing
in my duty if I do not convey to you my impressions of the Parade on
1st April 1981.

I have a more than ordinary familiarity with the theory and practice of
the ceremonial. The Regiment was at its best in the slow March which
was accomplished with a steadiness and precision which was
admirable. My remarks should not be interpreted to mean that
something was wanting in the other drill. In the movements involving
the quick march the Battalion as a whole exhibited a sense of direction
and cohesion of a decidedly high standard.

I must confess that the gem of the whole ceremonial was the final
advance in line which would have done credit to any Guards Regiment
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whose drill I have seen on the screen and in person. The halting had a
magnificence of its own and the discipline and the bearing of the
Officers and Men in the execution of that movement and the
subsequent drill were superb.

The entire ceremony showed that the strenuous training and

dedication of the Officers and Men had borne its fruit. Please accept
and convey to your Officers and Men my warmest congratulations on
their part in the Parade.

As I watched the Trooping of the Colour by my old Regiment, to which

I had the honour to belong, my bosom swelled with pride at the
thought that the toil and moil which we contributed to the making of
the Regiment had not been in vain and although my eyes will not see
the next century, the esprit d’ Corps and traditions of the Regiment are
surely in safe keeping. (UNQUOTE)

Late in the evening after the Parade was over, we were resting our tired
limbs in the Officers’ Mess. Lt. Col. David Cox, Defence Attaché to the
British High Commission in Sri Lanka who was very helpful to the Unit
on several occasions and who was an official invitee to the Trooping
the Colour ceremonial; called me on the telephone and conveyed his
congratulations on the Trooping the Colour Ceremonial, and had a
special comment to make in that the Advance in Review Order of the
two Battalions as the finale to Trooping the Colour, which in his words,
was “a magnificent piece of drill”!
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