Ceylon Defence Force

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Ceylon Defence Force
Active	1881 – 11 April 1949
Disbanded	11 April 1949
Country	British Ceylon (1881–1948)  Dominion of Ceylon (1948–1949)
Type	Army
Engagements	Second Boer War First World War Second World War

The Ceylon Defence Force (CDF) was established in 1910 by the Ceylonese legislation Ceylon Defence Force Ordinance, which reformed the Ceylon Volunteer Force (CVF) that existed previously as the military reserve in the British Crown colony of Ceylon. At the time of forming it was only a reserve force but soon developed into a regular force responsible for the defence of Ceylon. The CDF was under the command of the General Officer Commanding, Ceylon of the British Army in Ceylon if mobilised. However mobilisation could be carried out only under orders from the Governor.