FURIOUS AND A BOLD PERFORMANCES BY THE MECHANIZED INFANTRY TROOPS DURING THE EXERCISE CORMORANT STRIKE XI – 2021

For the first time in the history of Sri Lanka, the Mechanized Infantry troops displayed the furious and bold performances by conducting an independent combat team exercise in the ‘Exercise Cormorant Strike XI 2021’ which resultant to prove marching forward with vigour.

A fully-fledged company of 1st Battalion Mechanized Infantry Regiment and two troops of 4th Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps and the exercise was staged under the supervision of the Commander Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Brigadier Kavinda Balasooriya RSP psc.

Exercise Director, Major General Harendra Ranasinghe RWP RSP ndc - Commander, Reserve Strike Corps visited the Exercise Lower Control of the Mechanized Infantry Brigade and attended for the Mission Commander’s, Combat Team Commander’s orders and observed exercise proceedings eventually on 23rd September 2021.

Similarly, on 24th morning the troops of the Mechanized Infantry Brigade and troops of the Armoured Brigade conducted a special mission at the enemy main hideout, located in the genera area of Chundikulam in a swift and surprise move.

On the final exercise day on 24 September 2021, Commander Security Force (Jaffna), Major General T J Kodituwakku RWP RSP ndu was grace the occasion as the chief guest. Commander Reserve Strike Corps, Major General D M K D B Pussella RWP RSP - General Officer Commanding of 51 Infantry Division, Major General M K Jayawardena RSP USP ndu - General Officer Commanding of 55 Infantry Division, Brigadier M G W W W M C B Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc - General Officer Commanding of 52 Infantry Division, Brigadier M K U P Gunaratne RSP ndu psc IG – Brigadier General Staff of Security Force (Jaffna), Council Members of the Mechanized Infantry Regiment, Exercise Brigade Commander together with other stakeholders were present at the occasion and witnessed.

After completion of the exercise, Commander Security Force (Jaffna), Exercise Director and visited other Senior Officers highly appreciated the performances exhibited throughout the exercise and for bringing the glimpses of war in an actual realistic setting.

The long standing expectation of the Mechanized Infantry Regiment to participate in a large scale field training exercise was made possible became of the untiring effort of Director General General Staff and Colonel of the Regiment of Mechanized Infantry Regiment, Major General Priyanka Fernando RWP USP and on his directions, guidance and close supervision.

The exercise has progressed as one of the best training exercises, which exhibited the capabilities and experiences of Mechanized Infantry troops by practicing the application of Mechanized Infantry tactics in the dynamic battlefield environment.

The consequence of the exercise is to produce competent Mechanized Infantry oriented troops, who can perform and make decisions in any context and to develop a Mechanized Infantry concept. Moreover, it envisages in its highest level of operational readiness to face any perceived threats to ensure the security.