After the Humanitarian Operation on 18 May 2009 it was required to establish the SF HQ (MLT) in order to control and maintain the security in the Mullaitivu Area. Maj N Wanigasinghe CES who was appointed as the Officer Commanding Engineer Services Squadron in SFHQ (MLT) carried out the initial tasks in order to establish the Engineer Services Squadron in SF HQ (MLT) and all the required buildings were constructed within a short period of 06 months in order to establish the Security Forces Headquarters (Mullaitivu). In order to provide Engineer Services for the Army Establishments in SFHQ (MLT) Area of Responsibility, as per the Army Routine Order ARO 63/2012 dated 12 Sep 2012, the 16 ESR was raised with effect from 01 Sep 2012. To carry out initial constructions, 2/Lt HWKD Jayawardhana CES and 35 Other Ranks reported to SFHQ (MLT) on 17 Sep 2012. In the beginning, the Garrison Engineer 59 Div., Garrison Engineer 64 Div. and Garrison Engineer 68 Div. were under Command to the Engineer Services Squadron -SF HQ (MLT). The squadron Commander of Engineer Services Squadron (MLT) carried out the overall administrative matters of the 16 ESR.
The Regiment was established in the 50 acres land allocated in the Nandikadal area. 2/Lt HWKD Jayawardhana CES was appointed as the first Adjutant and Lt (QM) WHM Thilakarathna Banda was appointed as the first Quarter Master Officer. WOI UDNS Nanayakkara was appointed as the first RSM. Major KL Munasinghe CES assumed duties as the first Commanding Officer on 12 August 2013.
Presently the Tps is commanded by Maj EI Chathuranga CES.
