Maj HWAC Chaminda SLE
Commanding Officer
INTRODUCTION
16 Workshop Regiment is the one and only Workshop Regiment in the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers with responsible for operational fitness of the ‘C’ vehicles with the fleet of earth moving machines. Present day it is one of the prime organizations in Corps of Engineers. 16 Workshop Regiment’s base workshop is located in army camp Mattegoda and two squadrons are co-located in Army camp Boo-oya, Vauniya and army camp Minneriya respectively. Apart from that there are number of detachments based in all over the country affiliated with SLE units. Mainly in Palali, Kilinochchi, Nochchiyagama, Boo Oya, Embilipitiya, etc in order to maintain the operational fitness of machines by providing immediate repairing groups
Role Is to ensure the operational fitness of all ‘C’ vehicles and construction equipment allotted to Corps of Engineers.
HISTORY OF 16 WORKSHOP REGIMENT SLE
With the establishment of 1 Field Engineer Regiment in 1953, the field squadrons which were formed under the regiment received engineering equipment, tools and their first task was to construct 100m firing range in Panaluwa. In consideration of that workshop squadron was formulated under 1 Plant Engineer Squadron. Afterwards, with the expansion, 1 Plant squadron was raised with the five construction machineries.
During that period due to excessive work amount, 1 Plant Engineer Regiment was raised and it was consisted with headquarter squadron, three plant squadrons and one workshop squadron. Later 1 Plant Engineer Regiment was converted as 5 Field Engineer Regiment in 23rd August 1989 and workshop squadron was later established as Independent Workshop on 01st January 1991 in Mattegoda. Further, this was directly under command to the Engineer Brigade. This was special squadron and subsequently technically qualified officers and soldiers were enlisted from the other engineer units.
After year 1990 due to unrest in north and eastern area military operation were commenced against Tamil rebellions. As a consequence there were highly demand of earth moving machines and other relevant equipment. Machines which were using in Sri Lanka Engineers were very old and had used for a long period. Hence the repairing teams and equipment also highly demanded which caused the organization of Independent Workshop also to be expanded. During the initial stage, this was consisted with headquarter squadron, fitter squadron and general repair squadron. Later one squadron was shifted to the Vavunia in order to assist the military operations.
First Officer Commanding and Staff Members.
First Officer Commanding – Major VN Wijegunawardane SLE
Commanding Officer –Lieutenant Colonel WGK Ariyarathne SLE
Second in Command – Major VN Wijegunawardane SLE
Regimental Sargent Major – WO I MG Wijerathne
Initially the independent workshop was directly under command to the Engineer Brigade and trade soldiers were attached from other Field Engineering units and attached as ERE basis in the initial stage.
According to organization structure there were three squadrons, Headquarter squadron, Fitter squadron and General Repair Squadron. But due to lack of trained soldiers two squadrons were in active except general repair squadron. Later general repair squadron was established on 01 December 2000 officially.
Specially after 1990 there were highly requirement of earth moving machines when operations conducting in northern and eastern theater, also requirement of technical soldiers were mandatory and machines which were used for the operations are very old and they were used continuously. Due to that reason many machines were breaking down frequently and repairing must be completed within limited time period. As a result of that requirement, permanent detachment was established at Boo-oya to support the north and east operations.
10. This regiment supported following operations by maintaining operational fitness of earth moving machines which were using during the operations. Starting from Wadamarachchi Operation, Balawegaya Operation I, Walampuri Operation I and II, Boomerang Operation, Greenbelt Operation I, II and III, Chanda Maruthaya Operation, Balawegaya Operation II, Earthquake Operation, Gold Mine Operation, White Eagle Operation, Rama Shakthi Operation, Thunder Strike Operation I and II, Triwida Pahara Operation, Riviresa Operation I, II and III, Collapse of Paranthan Camp, Shud Balaya Operations, Ran Dunna Limited Operation, Jayasikuru Opertion, Silver Screen Operation, Kinihira Operation, North Humanitarian Operation and Wanni Humanitarian Operation.
Later, on 20th April 2017, The Independent Workshop was re-designated as 16 Workshop Regiment SLE.
Salient sappers who sacrificed their lives during the operations.
During Elephant pass camp attack on 03rd August 1991 S/225245 Sgt Gamini WH was killed by a sniper while trying to remove the LTTE D355 Komatsu Dozer from the camp premises which tried to attack camp defense.
S/230261 L/Cpl Chandrasiri PM (6 SLE) and S/235494 L/Cpl Priyalal TDN (5 SLE) were killed while repairing of machines in forward defence line on 11th July 1992 at Thantirimale Katupotha army camp.
S/236343 Sgt Anura LP (1 SLE) and S/236412 L/Cpl Anura UB (1 SLE) were killed due to Antanov B32 plane crash in Palali Kareinagar area on 22nd November 1995.
Thandikulam defence line was overrun by LTTE Terrorists and S/235296 Cpl Jayarathna Bandara AR died during the withdrawal at Vavunia on 10th June 1997.
During Jayasikuru operation at Vavuniya and S/235296 Cpl Jayarathne and S/225136 Sgt Rathnasena YH (5 SLE) was killed during that operation on 09th April 1998 at Kanagaraikulam. And six machines were taken control by LTTE terrorist during heavy attack at Nedumkeni area. And S/235438 Cpl Rathnasiri WGPP (1 SLE) was killed due to terrorist claymore attack while traveling to Welioya from Vavuniya to repair the machines on 09th April 1998 at Welioya.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Scammel Lathe Truck
UHA 3953 Scammel mobile workshop truck was manufacture by a British company, Watford company and Leyland motor company. Then introduced to the market by J.H Sparshatt sons (Southampton) ltd. The Causeway Redbridge – Southampton company. This mobile workshop was manufactured with the experience in Second world war and equipped with all electrical and mechanical equipments which are capable enough to conduct emergency repairs in the battle field and covered with armored plates for the protection of troops inside it.
This mobile workshop is equipped with Ancillary tools, Arc welding unit, Power and electrical system, Gas welding equipment, Air compressor, Pneumatic equipment, Electric power tools, Measuring instruments and Electronic tools. This special truck can be used as a Mobile blacksmith shop and Workshop during peace time and war time.
This mobile workshop is directly imported from Great Britain with diplomatic relationship in 1966 to Sri lanka army and handed over to Sri lanka army ordnance corps in 13.02.1964. Captain (TQM) Anrize –(1 Fd SLE) has taken this machine to AFT 19 and issued to 1 Field engineer regiment.
Afterwards this mobile workshop deployed in Army cantonment Panagoda for the usage of workshop section and later Lieutenant (QM) Abeysiri has taken this mobile workshop to Welioya for the road construction project in that area.
‘Mount Pedro’ or Pidurutalagala Road Construction.
‘Mount Pedro’, the central point for the country’s radar system and the telecommunication services, surrounded by a range of environmentally sensitive mountains, earlier did not have a proper road patch at all at the time transmission towers were airlifted for establishment on the top since all attempts, done by civil sectors to prepare a road patch to carry their supplies had failed by then.
However, the Sri Lanka Army was afterwards entrusted the responsibility of constructing a passage giving the prioritized attention to the environmental and soil erosion factors in the year 1980. Nevertheless, the project could not get off the ground until 1987 due to various practical and other reasons.
On 4th April 1987 under the guidance of Lieutenant Colonel K.J.C Perera, Commanding Officer of 1 Plant Engineer Regiment which afterwards was transformed to be the 5 Field Engineer Regiment, the inaugural work for preparation of the road patch got underway under the supervision of Captain W.P.K Ariyaratne and Captain Mahesh Senanayake, together with Platoon Commanders, Lieutenant D.D.U.K Hettiarachchi, Lieutenant S.K Thiruwanakarasu, Lieutenant W.A.N.M Weerasinghe, Lieutenant M.A.C Perera and Lieutenant (QM) B Jayasinghe.
With the passage of time, the project was brought to completion on 31 January 1990 and it was formally opened by Brigadier K.G.C Perera, Commanding Officer, 5 Field Engineers and Lieutenant Colonel D.S.K Wijesuriya, Second in Command, 5 Field Engineers at the invitation of Captain Mahesh Senanayake at that time.
Group photo of Independent workshop with outgoing Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel KMU Wijetarhne SLE
Opening of new Sapper Cricket Stadium
Lieutenant General A W J C de Silva RWP USP ndu psc visited to the Engineers Workshop at Mattegoda and ceremonially opened the newly-constructed Sappers Cricket Stadium on 02 April 2015. Former National Cricketer, Roshan Mahanama added colour and importance to the occasion as a Guest of Honour.
Construction of 30x20 Stage.
16 Workshop regiment constructed two 30x20 stages for Security Force Headquarters (Wanni) and Security Force Headquarters (Kilinochchi) with guidance of Commander Engineer Brigade Brigadier AN Amarasekara USP ndu. Commanding officer at that time Lieutenant Colonel KASJ Kodithuwakku ptsc SLE has given the guidelines to construct the stage. Stage was built under supervision of Troop Commanders Lieutenant TP Wijayasiriwardana SLE and P/O WDM Senevirathne. Two stages were completed with the hard work of welding section troops of 16 Workshop regiment and handed over to respective Security Force Headquarters on February 2019.
SPORT ACHIEVEMENTS
During war period also soldiers from Independent workshop accomplished national and international sport achievements.
a.Silver Medal (79 Kg) – National Wrestling Championship in 1998.
b. Gold Medal (69 Kg) –Army Inter Regiment Wrestling Championship in 1998.
c.S/225509 Sgt Jayasundara JMAT Participated to the World Defence Forces Wrestling Championship in 1999 held in Russia.
Cricket achievements.
a.Sapper cricket team won the championship in the Inter Regiment 50 Overs Cricket Tournament – 2018 (Division B)
b.Sapper cricket team won the championship in the Inter Regiment 50 Overs Cricket Tournament – 2020 (Team A)
Boxing achievements.
a. S/247766 Spr Tharanga PC won Bronze medals in Army Novices Boxing Tournament in 63 Kg event – 2015, 2017 & 2018.
b.S/247788 Spr Prasad R won Bronze medals in Army Novices Boxing Tournament in 60 Kg & 67 Kg events – 2016 & 2021.
c. S/244259 Spr Marasinghe MM won the Silver medal in Army Novices Boxing Tournament in 52 Kg event – 2017.
d. S/247716 Spr Herath HMRRB won the Bronze medal in Army Novices Boxing Tournament in 75 Kg event – 2018.
e. S/250493 Spr Jayanath AM & S/2121155 Rec Ranasinghe BGNG won Bronze medals in Army Novices Boxing Tournament in 48 Kg & 57 Kg events respectively – 2021.
Gymnastic achievements.
a.S/241767 L/Cpl Sujith Kumara KAA won Gold medal in group event – 2014, Silver medal in ground exercise – 2014 & Gold medal in group event – 2015 in Army Novices Gymnastic Tournament.
b.S/245628 L/Cpl Premasiri UGKR won Gold medal in Horizontal bar & Silver medal in group event, Army Novices Gymnastic Tournament – 2014, Gold medal in group event in Army Novices Gymnastic Tournament 2015, Bronze & Silver medals in Roman ring & Horizontal bar events respectively in 41st National meet 2015, Gold & Silver medals in Pommel Horse & Horizontal bar events respectively in 42nd National meet 2016, Gold, Silver & Bronze medals in Pommel Horse, Horizontal bar & Roman ring events respectively in 43rd National meet 2017 & Gold medals in Horizontal bar & Roman ring events in 44th National meet 2018.
S/242629 L/Cpl Jayamanna MMHR won Silver medals in Horizontal bar & group event, Army Novices Gymnastic Tournament – 2014, Gold, Silver & Bronze medals in group event, Roman ring , Pommel horse & Horizontal bar respectively in Army Novices Gymnastic Tournament 2015, Gold & Silver medals in Horizontal bar, Parallel bar, Pommel horse & Roman ring events respectively in 41st National meet 2015, Gold medal in group ‘A’ event in Army Novices Gymnastic Tournament 2016 & Bronze medals in Ground exercise & Roman ring events respectively in Army Novices Gymnastic Tournament 2017, .
d.S/4B02716 L/Cpl Arunasiri KD won Gold medals in Roman ring & group event in Army Novices Gymnastic Tournament – 2014, Gold & Bronze medals in group event & Roman ring respectively in Army Novices Gymnastic Tournament 2015, Gold & Silver medals in Roman ring, Pommel horse, Parallel bar & Horizontal bar events respectively in 41st National meet 2015, Gold, Silver & Bronze medals in group ‘A’ , Pommel Horse & Roman ring events respectively in Army Novices Gymnastic Tournament 2016, Gold medal in Roman ring event in 41st National meet 2016, Gold medal in Pommel Horse event, Army Novices Gymnastic Tournament 2017, Gold & Silver medals in Pommel Horse, Roman ring, Parallel bar & Horizontal bar events respectively in 43rd National meet 2017 & Gold & Bronze medals in Pommel Horse, Parallel bar ,Horizontal bar & Ground exercise events respectively in 44th National meet 2018.
S/244134 L/Cpl Prasanna RPNS won Bronze medal in group event, National Championship Tournament – 2012, Silver medal in Horizontal bar event, Army Novices Gymnastic Tournament 2012, Gold medals in Roman ring & Horizontal bar events respectively in 39th National meet 2013, Gold medals in Roman ring & Horizontal bar respectively in Army Novices Gymnastic Tournament 2013, Gold medal in group event, National Championship Gymnastic Tournament – 2014, Gold & Silver medals in Horizontal bar & group events respectively in Army Novices Gymnastic Tournament – 2014, Gold & Silver medals in Roman ring, Parallel bar, Horizontal bar & Pommel horse events respectively in 41st National meet 2015, Gold & Silver medals in Horizontal bar & Parallel bar events respectively in 42nd National meet 2016, Gold & Silver medals in Horizontal bar & Parallel bar events respectively in 43rd National meet 2017 & Gold medal in Horizontal bar event, National Championship Gymnastic Tournament - 2017.
Squash achievements.
a. S/247889 Spr Bandara HMIS won Silver medal in Team event, Army Novices Squash Tournament – 2016.
b. S/248161 Spr Bogahawaththa NM won Silver medal in Team event, Army Novices Squash Tournament – 2016.
c. S/B100847 Spr Weerasinghe JGSP won Silver medal in Team event, Army Novices Squash Tournament – 2016.
d. S/244842 Spr Jayanath TS won Gold medal in Team event, Army Novices Squash Tournament – 2020.
e. S/249988 Spr Amila Kumara RMW won Gold medal in Team event & Silver medal, Army Novices Squash Tournament – 2020.
S/B102064 Spr Moris CN won Silver medal in Army Novices Squash Tournament – 2021.
PRESENT TASK
a. Maintenance of all ‘C’ vehicles/equipments.
b. Repair of all ‘C’ vehicles/equipments.
c. Condemnation of all ‘C’ vehicles/equipments and other FAMTO (First Aid Mechanical Tools Ordnance).
d. Forecasting of spares/FAMTO for future requirement.
e. Scaling of spares/tools/FAMTO/other equipments.
f. Prep of specification for ‘C’ vehicles/equipments, FAMTO and other equipments.
g. Provision of Loss & Damage prices.
h. Certifying the quality of purchased ‘C’ vehicles/equipments/spares/tools/FAMTO.
i. Training of tradesmen.
j. Conducting trade test for fitters.
k. Indenting, stock controlling, storage and issuing of all ‘C’ vehicles/equipments/ spares
PRESENT APPOINNTMENT HOLDING OFFICERS
a. Second in command - O/66017 Maj BLGTP Subasinghe RSP USP psc SLE
b. Adjutant - O/71422 Lt KS Jayashantha SLE
c. OC 160 HQ Sqn - O/68695 Maj SLNV Indrathilaka SLE
d. OC 161 Fitter Sqn - O/11178 Capt WDM Senevirathne SLE
e. OC 162 Fitter Sqn - O/11469 Capt ABS Aravinda SLE
f. OC 164 Gen Repair Sqn - O/66656 Maj JANN Prasanga SLE
g. QM - O/70544 Lt(QM) KGS Karunathilaka USP SLE
h. TQM - S/241673 PO HAS Premarathna USP SLE
i. Tp Comd F&P Sec - O/72084 Capt ND Pamunuwa SLE
PRESENT APPOINNTMENT HOLDING SNCO
a. RSM - WO I MGS Perera
b. ASM - WO II Palihawadana PWEK USP
c. Tech ASM - WO I WSA Warnasooriya USP
d. CC - WO II Somarathna IPC USP
e. RQSM - WO II Senanayaka SDD USP
f. SSM-160 Fitter Sqn - WO II Silarathna BRGUS USP
g. SSM-161 Fitter Sqn - WO II Wishawakulage CR USP
h. SSM-162 Fitter Sqn - WO II Marasinghe HPDR USP
i. SSM-163 Fitter Sqn - WO II Wijethunga NAHWT USP
j. SSM-164 Fitter Sqn - WO II Priyantha Kumara WG USP
OFFICER COMMANDING & COMMANDING OFFICERS OF 16 WORKSHOP REGIMENT SLE
OFFICER COMMANDING
a. Maj VN Wijegunawardane SLE 01.01.1991 -17.03.1992
b. Capt TMP Tennakoon RSP (ACTG) SLE 18.03.1992 -18.05.1992
c. Maj DMD Alwis psc SLE 18.05.1992 -20.09.1992
d. Maj VN Wijegunawardane SLE 22.09.1992 -23.10.1992
e. Maj AMA Chandrasiri SLE 23.10.1992 -23.02.1994
f. Maj (QM) B Jayasinghe (ACTG) SLE 28.02.1994 -14.05.1994
g. Maj TMP Tennakoon RSP (ACTG) SLE 15.05.1994 -03.06.1994
COMMANDING OFFICERS
a. Lt Col W G K Ariyaratne CENG (I) AMIE SLE 04.06.1994 - 21.06.1995
b. Maj T M P Tennakoon RSP (ACTG) SLE 21.06.1995 - 01.02.1996
c. Maj I A P Iddamalgoda RSP (ACTG) SLE 01.02.1996 - 03.09.1996
d. Maj K M U Wijeratne SLE 04.09.1996 - 06.06.1997
e. Lt Col K M U Wijeratne SLE 07.06.1997 - 16.11.1998
f. Lt Col D S Weerasekara SLE 17.11.1998 - 17.06.2000
g. Lt Col L N Wickramasuriya psc SLE 10.07.2000 - 02.02.2001
h. Lt Col H A N Hapuarachchi RSP psc SLE 02.02.2001 - 25.02.2002
i. Lt Col K M U Wijeratne SLE 25.02.2002 - 31.07.2003
j. Lt Col H W M S D B Pananwala RSP SLE 31.07.2003 - 21.06.2004
k. Lt Col P M R Bandara psc SLE 21.06.2004 - 10.06.2005
l. Maj K M A Gunasiri (ACTG) SLE 10.06.2005 - 14.09.2005
m. Maj T M P Tennakoon RSP SLE 14.09.2005 - 04.02.2009
n. Lt Col T M P Tennakoon RSP SLE 05.02.2009 - 01.11.2011
o. Lt Col M Mayadunna SLE 20.01.2012 - 09.05.2014
p. Lt Col M P K Madurappperuma RSP USP psc SLE 20.05.2014 - 01.09.2016
q. Lt Col HSK Jayasinghe RSP SLE 01.09.2016 - 05.07.2017
r. Lt Col KASJ Kodithuwakku ptsc SLE 05.07.2017 - 15.08.2019
s. Maj KADP Sugathadasa USP SLE 15.08.2019 - 18.05.2020
t. Lt Col KADP Sugathadasa USP SLE 18.05.2020 – 08.03.2021
u. Maj DMUR Nayanananda RSP USP SLE 09.03.2021 – 17.05.2022
v. Lt Col DMUR Nayanananda RSP USP SLE 18.05.2022 – 02.06.2023
w. Maj MAKRK Abeywickramasinghe RWP RSP psc SLE 02.06.2023 – 09.08.2023
x. Maj HWAC Chaminda SLE 09.08.2023 – Up to date
