 When the Ruhunu Regiment was disbanded by Prime Minister S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike, troops of the B Company was transfers to the Ceylon Sinha Regiment forming the C Company, 2 (V) Battalion, Ceylon Sinha Regiment which later formed the short lived Gemunu Regiment which was commanded by Major Dharmapala.The Gemunu Regiment was disbanded and in September 1965 the 3 (V) Battalion, Gemunu Watch was raised in the Matara Fort with Lieutenant Colonel Dharmapala as its Commanding Officer and served until August 1968, when he retired from the army with the rank of Colonel.