5 FIELD ENGINEER REGIMENT

BRIEF HISTORY

The history of the 5 Field Engineer Regiment dates back to 01 April 1980. The plant squadron of the 1 Field Engineer Regiment was upgraded into a Regiment, and was named as the 1 Plant Engineer Regiment. The conversion of the squadron into a regiment was to facilitate the great demand of Engineers to contribute to National Development Work entrusted by the Government..

The Regiment was tasked in various engineering works such as construction of playground at police Training College Katukurunda, Meegoda Maha Vidyalaya, Diyatalawa Janananda Maha Vidyalaya, earth works at New Zealand Farm Ambewela, Taj Hotel, Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium and Sri Jayawardanapura University. The major engineering task which the Regiment undertook was in Padaviya, which was named the Weli Oya Special Project (System L) commenced as per the national strategy to prevent the merger of the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

On 2 April 1987, the Regiment transferred her base from Panagoda to Mattegoda where its permanent home was established. With the completion of the Eluwankulam - Mannar project on March 1988 the Squadron moved to the summit of the Island at Pidurutalagala to facilitate yet another request of the Airport and Aviation Authority and the Rupavahini Corporation to construct a 4 km road from Nuwara Eliya to the peak of Mount Pidurutalagala.

With the expansion of the Army, 1 Plant Engineer Regiment was renamed as the 5 Field Engineer Regiment on 23 August 1989, absorbing two Field Squadrons and detached two Plant Squadrons and Workshop Squadron. With the escalation of subversive activities, the Regiment was totally deployed in Vavuniya in order to provide combat engineer assistances to various operations conducted in the area. In September 1995 the Regiment was re-deployed in Palaly to provide combat engineer assistance to 52 Infantry Division in the historic battle of capturing Jaffna in Riviresa Campaign. The Regiment actively participated in all offensives conducted in the peninsula and provided field and plant engineer support to the troops in Jaffna Peninsula especially when capturing areas such as Elephant Pass, Paranthan and Kilinochchi.

The Regiment moved to Vavuniya on 1 January 2004 after performing duties in Jaffna Peninsula for more than a decade. In Vavuniya the unit provided engineer support to Security Force Headquarters (WANNI), 21 Infantry Division, 56 Infantry Division, Area Headquarters (MANNAR) and Area Headquarters (WELI-OYA). During the last Humanitarian Operation, the Regiment extended its engineer support to the newly formed 58 and 59 Infantry Divisions. As an engineer regiment, 5 Field Engineer Regiment had contributed immensely during the Humanitarian Operation in North and East. Few significant tasks performed by the unit are construction of Kalmadu - Kirisuddan road, Paranthan - Vishvamadu road, Ampakamam road and Mankulam - Thunukkai road, which improved the mobility and line of communication to support Infantry Divisions.

With the termination of the Humanitarian operation the unit had to focus on additional tasks such as to facilitate government resettlement plan by like humanitarian demining in addition to her main duties. The unit was instrumental in clearing the vast paddy cultivation land in Mannar well known as the "Rice Bowl" which was appreciated by the many Authorities.More over the unit carried out the earth works in Manik Farm to facilitate IDPs as a part of the resettlement process.

The Regiment moved to Mattegoda on 01 September 2012 to provide the engineer support to Security Force Headquarters (West). However, to speed up the humanitarian demining process both 51 and 52 squadrons were attached to 10 Field engineer Regiment on 19 March 2013. One officer and 55 soldiers were attached to 6 field engineer regiment to provide security for the 33rd commander of the Army. Moreover the unit completed its balattlion course at SLSME Embilipitiya in 2016. The unit actively contributed to the disaster response tasks during the period of 2016 and 2017.

Regiment was involved in series of Disasters which occurred during year 2016 and 2017.

• Rescue mission at Aranayake Landslide on 17 May 2016.
• Rescue mission during Bad weather condition effected to Colombo district from 16 May 2016 to 26 May 2016.
• Rescue and Clearing of Area during Kosgama, Salawa Ammo dump blast on 05 June 2016
• Rescue mission at Meethotamulla Garbage dump disaster on 14 April 2017
• Rescue mission during bad weather condition which occurred for whole country on 05 May 2017
• Rescue mission at Wellawatte Building collapse on 18 May 2017

Regiment was took over the duties of Army commander security unit on 14/07/2017 when Lt Gen NUMMW Senanayake RWP RSP USP USACGSC took over the duties as Commander of the Sri lanka Army.With the retairement of the Gen NUMMW Senanayake RWP RSP USP USACGSC in 22 August 2019 the unit moved back to its classic role.

The unit is now performing the infantry task under the SFHQ (WEST).

ACHIEVEMENTS

The 5 Field Engineer Regiment was involved in the following National development projects:

• Development works at Vennappuwa Urban Council on 1980.
• Landscaping for Weligama bus depot in 1980.
• Construction of playground at police training school Katukurunda on 1980.
• Landscaping for Panaluwa State Printing Cooperation on 1980.
• Construction of playground at Ananda Maha Vidyalaya Kottawa on 1980.
• Construction of Urban Council ground Bandarawela on 1980.
• Construction of Newzealand farm at Ambewela.
• Landscaping of Sri Jayawardanapura University Gangodawila on 1980.
• Construction of playground at Minuwangoda on 1981.
• Construction of playground at Meegoda Maha Vidyalaya on 1981.
• Construction of playground at Janananda Maha Vidyalaya Diyatalawa on 1981.
• Construction of road at Sri Lanka Army Service Corps school Sillawathurai.
• Construction of bus depot at Ladukawa on 1980.
• Construction of playground at Homagama Maha Vidyalaya on 1982.
• Construction of Siyambalagoda Kanishta Vidyalaya on 1983.
• Landscaping for All Mubarak school at Malwana on 1983.
• Construction of Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium at Colombo on 1983.
• Landscaping for Olaboduwa Zoisa Maha Vidyalaya on 1983
• Landscaping for State Engineering Co-orparation Walgama Biyagama on 1981.
• Construction of Puttalam – Mannar road on 1985.
• Construction of Playground at Kolonnawa on 1985.
• Construction of Parade ground, Playground and main road of 3 Battalion Sri Lanka Light Infantry -1987.
• Landscaping for range and golf hill house at Diyatalawa Garrison - 1987.
• Earth works of 3 Battalion of the Gajaba Regiment on 1987.
• Earth works of 4 Battalion Sri Lanka Light Infantry at Monkey Bridge on 1987.
• Weli Oya Special Project in Padaviya (Mahaweli System L) - 1987.
• Construction of playground of 1 Battalion of the Gajaba Regiment at Saliyapura on 1988.
• Construction of Security Force Headquarters Wanni on 1988.
• Construction of playground at 1 Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment at Ambepussa in 1988.
• Construction of road to Pidurutalagala on 1988.
• Reconstruction of Diyatalawa firing range on 1990.
• Construction of Palaly jetty before Jayashakthi Operation in 1990.
• Construction of Kalawanchikudi Bridge on 1990.
• Construction of 60' bridge at Vavunathivu on 1990.
• Construction of Karyathenna bridge on 1991.
• Construction of Mannar Air strip on 1992.
• Construction of Grenade range at Panaluwa on 1993.
• Construction of road to Talagala Temple on 1994.
• Construction of 60’ Bailey bridge at Cheddikulam - Puwarsankulam road on 1994.
• Construction of physical trg centre and Basketball court at Panagoda on 1994.
• Land scaping for Panagoda play ground on 1994.
• Land scaping for Army camp and trg centre at Minneriya.
• Earth works at Salawa Ranavirugama.
• Earth works at Keragala Ranavirugama.
• Earth works at Pangolla Ranavirugama.
• Re-construction of Kaithadi and Navatkuli bridges on 2000.
• Initial earth works of Ipalogama Ranaviru housing project on 2004.
• Tsunami rehabilitation tasks and providing relief services to the victims on 2005.
• Construct a defence line for 22 Km covering Yakawewa, Dutuwewa and Kebitigollewa on 2007.
• Earth works at Horowpothana Ranaviru housing projects on 2007.
• Renovation of Padawiya- Kebitigollewa road.
• Construction of Mahawilachchiya Bridge on October 2007.
• Construction of a Playground At Makurugodawatta , Baddegama on 2012.
• Ground preparation for “Sandahiru Seya” Anuradhapura on 2012.
• Earth moving tasks of road construction in Yala Palatupana on February 2013.
• Construction of Weekly fair, Bandaragama on 2014.
• Construction of Kaluwamodara Bridge on 2014.
• Demolition of Buildings at Cancer Hospital, Maharagama on 2014.
• Ground preparation for Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksha Ground and Swimming pool on 2014.
• Construction of two Play grounds at Zahira College, Aluthgama on 2014.
• Ground preparation for ‘Deyata Kirula’ , Kuliyapitiya on 2014.
• Construction of Weekly Fair , Walasmulla 2015.
• Reconstruction of Damaged Houses, Aluthgama on 2015.
• Construction of Road Network at ‘Ranaviru Gammanaya’ Keragala , Gampaha in 2015.
• Construction of Moragahahena Bus Stand in 2015.
• Earth moving tasks to construct playground at Karandeniya Military Intelligence Corps premises on February 2016.
• Earth moving tasks at Headquarters of the Sri Lanka Armored Corps Modara on December 2016.
• Ground preparation for National Wesak Festival at Weeraketiya Naigala Rajamaha Viharaya on 2016.
• Ground preparation for construction of buildings at National Institute of Mental helth – Angoda on 2017.
• Ground preparation for construction of buildings at Colombo South Teaching Hospital – Kalubowila on 2017.
• Ground preparation for construction of buildings at Colombo North Teaching Hospital – Ragama on 2017.
• Earth moving tasks at Defence Service College July 2017.
• Site preparation for the construction of 1 SLAWC Colombo - stage II.
• Site preparation for the construction of “Ranaviru Sevana” Ragama - stage II.
• Construction of road network - RHQ SLAMC Werahara.
• Preparation of Rugby ground Ananda college - Rajagiriya.
• Construction of road network SLNG Wehera - stage III.
• Preparation of the sports ground SLNG Wehera - stage III.
• Preparation of “Cavalry Supercross” track 5 SLAC Paangolla.
• Construction of underground water tank Broody house COLOMBO.
• Preparation of 4X4 race track GYMPO Embilipitiya.
• Site preparation for the construction 9 GW Yatadola.
• Construction of underground water tank Defence Service school Colombo.
• Site preparation for the construction 1 SLAOC Panagoda.
• Preparation of De Mazenod College cricket ground Kandhana.
• Preparation of site to erect weekly fair Walasmulla.
• Preparation of retaining wall SLN base Welisara.
• Site preparation for the construction Regimental Centre Boyagane.
• Site preparation for the construction 582 Baattalion HQ Horana – stage I.
• Araliya plantation project Battaramulla.
• Army Hospital – stage III.
• Earth moving Project Army Hospital Narahenpita.
• Defence Service School – stage II.
• Site preparation for the construction 6 ESR Watareka.
• Preparation of walking path Battarmulla – stage III.
• Site preparation for the construction of Junior Officers Mess Battaramulla –stage III.
• Preparation of walking path Battarmulla – stage I.
• Preparation of vehicle yard for the army commanders security Battramulla – stage I.
• Site preparation for the construction of building Seva Vanitha - Manin town.
• Site preparation for the construction of Junior Officers Mess Battaramulla –stage II.
• Site preparation for construction of laboratory for COVID-19 victims Colombo base hospital Mulleriyawa.
• Site preparation for the construction 582 Baattalion HQ Horana – stage II.
• Preparation of site around the 4 CR camp premises.
• Reparation of canal around the Junior Officers Mess Lnkagama.
• Preparation of walking path Battarmulla – stage II.
• Cutting off trees around 6 ESR.
• Preparation of internal road network SALEBA Mattegoda.
• Preparation of drainage system Laya beach Hotel Wadduwa.
• Preparation of road network around Officers Mess Mattegoda.
• Preparation of sports ground CR Ganemulla.
• Preparation of preschool play area “Senehasa Piyasa”Manin town.
• Preparation of sports ground Regimental Centre Wehera – stage I.
• Preparation of sports ground Regimental Centre Wehera – stage II.
• Site preparation for the construction of Sri Lanka Parliament Battaramulla.
• Preparation of parade ground Regimental Centre VIR Boyagane – stage I.
• Preparation of parade ground Regimental Centre VIR Boyagane – stage II.
• Construction of Neluwa-Lanagama road – stage II.
• Construction of Lankagama-Kolawenigama road. – stage II.
• Construction of Dehigasmulla-Halamba road. – stage II.
• Construction of Kosgahadeniya-Nelumuyana road. – stage II.

PRESENT TASKS

Perform the Infantry duties in SFHQ (WEST) AOR under command to SFHQ (WEST)

PRESENT APPOINTMENT HOLDING OFFICERS

Squadron Commanders

PRESENT APPOINTMENT HOLDING SNCO