Sri Lanka Artillery

The history of the school of Artillery dates back to year 1957 when the time Artillery was equipped only with Anti Air Craft Guns. At the inception, it was known as instructor Gunnery (IG) section which was a part and parcel of Artillery Regiment. Initial guidance and governance were executed by the Chief Instructor Major B I Loyela CA and his staff. Then Prime Minister Hon S W R D Bandaranayake paid a visit to IG section on 12 November 1957 thus displaying its national significance. With the rapid expansion in the Regiment of Artillery along with Sri Lanka Army, IG section at Panagoda was renamed as School of Artillery on 16th September 1985. The School was moved to its permanent home in Minneriya and became an independent institute with ultra modern facilities, techniques and infrastructure on 11th October 1990. Since then the School of Artillery has shown a steady progress. It has become a landmark institute in Minneriya that displays a high standard of professionalism. The training at School of Artillery Minneriya is regarded as comparable with the standard of training imparted in similar institutes in South Asia.

AIM
The aim of the School of Artillery is “to educate, train and develop the professional knowledge and skills” of all members in the Regiment of Artillery, in order to provide timely and accurate artillery fire in all operations of war.
MISSION
Uphold the Regimental Motto and educate, train and inspire all officers and other ranks of the Regiment of Artillery and those selected from other arms and services so that each of them shall have the theoretical and practical knowledge, character, leadership, intellectual foundation and other attributes that are essential to progressive and continuous professional development whilst ensuring proper evaluation and testing of Artillery equipment as desired by higher headquarters.
OBJECTIVES
To provide basic gunnery training to junior level officers to carryout tasks of a Gun Position Officer and Forward Observation Officer in an effective and efficient manner.
Development of middle grade officers as confident and efficient battery commanders.
To provide basic gunnery training to newly joined other ranks to perform duties with guns.
Development of the other ranks as confident and efficient assistant instructors in gunnery, troop leaders, gun numbers one, technical assistants, observation post assistants, layers, surveyors and radio operators.
To provide facilities for and instruction in gunnery subjects as would be relevant to all ranks.
To be aware and be able to apply the functions and techniques of gunnery in war and practiced by all ranks.
To be aware and apply the principles and techniques involved in the employment of Artillery, in all types of military operations by all officers.
To hold examinations for the purpose of ascertaining the standards of officers and other ranks who have acquired proficiency in gunnery.
To carryout test firing of Artillery guns and ammunition.
To carryout research and development programs on Artillery.
To exercise such other functions as may be necessary for the achievement of the objectives of the Regiment of Artillery.