HISTORY OF THE 6 FIELD ENGINEER REGIMENT

HISTORY OF THE 6 FIELD ENGINEER REGIMENT

OFFICER COMMANDING OF - 6 FIELD ENGINEER REGIMENT SLE

BRIEF HISTORY

History of 6 Field Engineer Regiment dates back to the year when Sri Lanka Army was involved on counter insurgency operations in 1989. With the raising of 6 Field Engineer Regiment on 9th November 1989 another regiment joined the family of sappers. Lt Col MDS Chandrapala RSP USP psc was the first Commanding Officer hence he is considered as the father of the regiment. Once the regiment was raised, it was deployed to carryout counter insurgency operations in various parts of the Island. Since then it has been more than two decades where the regiment contributed in many ways to the nation in order to restore normalcy and to establish peace in the motherland..

In 1999 with the Wanni debacle, the regiment was relocated in Boo-Oya. From here the unit provided engineer support to the forward operating teams and the ground forces. Before the escalation of operations this unit's Tactical Headquarters was deployed in several key areas such as Nawatkulam, Thandikulam, Omanthei, Vennakarachchimudi, and Kanagarayankulam.

From Boo-Oya the regiment provided engineer support to 55 and 56 Infantry Divisions under command to Security Force Headquarters (WANNI). Later the unit was redeployed in Miladdy under command to Security Force Headquarters (JAFFNA). Here the regiment was initially involved in Humanitarian De-mining. 02 x Field Squadrons provided engineer support to 51 and 55 Infantry Divisions and 64 Plant Squadron supported in plant works to all formations of Security Force Headquarters (JAFFNA) Tactical Area of Responsibility.

With the collapse of the MOU in 2006 and the outbreak of Elam war IV witnessed the increase of LTTE activities in and around Jaffna peninsula. Being burdened with a lot of responsibilities, the unit provided maximum engineer support to 51 and 55 Infantry Divisions in launching successful operations against the LTTE in Muhamalei which resulted in the capture of the same. With the capture of Kilinochchi security forces were able to move up to EPS. During this advance 6 SLE provided engineer support by attaching Bomb Disposal teams to battalions deployed on offensive operations. One of the major tasks carried out by 6 SLE troops with the combined effort of 8 SLE, was the re-construction of Soranpatthu cause-way Bridge which was demolished by the LTTE.

In order to expand the coastal belt from Vettilaikerni to Chundikulam and Chalai, 55 Infantry Division launched an offensive operation. Due to the sandy surface in the general area, mobility was restricted and hence the unit was tasked to improve the mobility. With the lack of required engineer assets the unit had to fabricate with available resources such as barrels, boats, timber and scaffolding using ingenuity and innovation to provide the mobility of the advancing troops. Further the unit carried out Field Engineering tasks such as clearing mine fields, booby traps and other improvised obstacles of the LTTE. The unit also carried out Field Engineer tasks in captured areas. Plant works like constructing of defense lines, clearing jungles, renovation of routes and constructing artillery gun positions were also done by the unit.

After the completion of the Humanitarian Operation, on 24 June 2009, 6 Field Regiment was relocated in Kilinochchi and attached to Security Force Headquarters (KILINOCHCHI) supporting all ongoing development and construction projects and Humanitarian De-mining in the area.On 25 March 2011 unit was relocated at Kokavil to support ongoing development projects in the area.Later on 23 February 2015 unit was relocated at AHQ to do security duties of then Commander of the Army Lt Gen AWCJ De Silva VSV RWP USP ndu psc. At present it 6 Field Engineer Regiment located at Home of Sappers, Maththegoda supporting Security Force Headquarters (CENTRAL).

ACHIEVEMENTS

The unit was responsible for the construction of 1000 m range at Panaluwa 1953. 1 Field Engineers was also involved in the earth works at Sugathadasa Stadium in 1958. The unit also constructed a 80' double single Bailey Bridge at Anuradhapura in 1960. Other projects undertaken by the unit are as follows:

Clearing of Sangupitiya Causeway & Jetty Commenced on 15.07.2009		Construction of Pudumathalan Monument Commenced on 02.07.2009.
		Construction of Mankulam - Thunukkai Road total Distance - 20km

ACCOMPLISHED TASKS

• Ground preparation at MAS Intimates, KILINOCHCHIYA in 2012.
• Ground preparation at Agricultural Faculty, University of Jaffna in 2014.
• Ground preparation at Pooneryn Hospital in 2014.
• Earth moving tasks to construct Kidney Treatment Facility a General Hospital Kandy in 2018.
• Ground preparation to held Enterprises Sri Lanka Exhibition at MONARAGALA - 2018.
• Renovation of Foxhill Racing Track at DIYATALAWA in 2018.
• Renovation of Walala Super Cross Racing Track at UDAWALAWA in 2018.
• Renovation of Challengers Super Cross Racing Track at KUDA OYA in 2018.
• Preparation of parade ground at 5 SLLI at PALEKELE in 2018.
• Preparation of parade ground at 11 Div at PALLEKELE in 2018.
• Erection of Combat 100 Bridge over Manik Ganga to assist KataragamaPadaYatra at YALA in 2018.
• Ground preparation at Seemamalakaya Temple which is affiliated to MalwathuViharaya at GANNOROUWA in 2019.
• Earth moving tasks to construct stable at SLMA in 2019.
• Renovation of Foxhill Racing Track at DIYATALAWA in 2019.
• Renovation of Meeyaketuara Tank at MONARAGALA in 2019.
• Renovation of Waturaara Tank in MONARAGALA in 2019.
• Renovation of Kosgasarawa Tank in MONARAGALA in 2019.
• Renovation of playground at St Thomas’ College - MATALE in 2020.
• Earth moving tasks at CRTS to preparation of VIP vehicle protection firing range in 2020.
• Ground preparation to erect quarantine centers at Army Hospital, DIYATALAWA in 2020.
• Renovation of playground at Poramadulla Central College in 2020.
• Renovation of playground in Kumarathenne Village, WELANWITA in 2020.
• Ground preparation and Construction of road network at New Army Hospital - PALLEKELE.

PRESENT TASKS

• Ground preparation, Jungle Clearance and construction of earth bund at New Ammo Dump -AGUNAWALPALLASA
• Ground preparation, renovation of parade ground and renovation of road network at Sri Lanka Army Centre for Disaster Response Team - GAMPOLA.
• Earth moving tasks at Marksmanship and Sniper Training School - DIYATALAWA.
• Construction of New Hockey Ground - PALLEKELE.
• Jungle Clearance at Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksha International Airport.
• Earth works at Nelligala Temple - KANDY.
• Earth moving tasks at Walala A Rathnayake Central College.
• Renovation of playground at Welimada Central College - WELIMADA.
• Renovation of playground at WeeraKepetipola Central College - AKURAMBODA.
• Preparation Of Army Hockey Ground At 1 Slrc Pallekeke
• Preparation Of Parade Ground, Rd Network And Prep Of Gr For Construction Of 100ft X 30ft Two Story Bldg At Ocdc
• Earth Moving Task At Slacdrt – Gampola
• Earth Works At Hockey Ground 1 Slrc – Pallekeke
• Preparation Land For Landscaping Purpose – 1 Gw
• Earth Moving Task At New Army Hospital - Pallekele
• Earth Moving Task At 5 Gw - Wellawaya
• Preparation Of Land For Construction And Renovate Existing Gravel Road At Sithulpawwa Land Donated By Seva Vanitha Branch
• Preparation For Ground For Construction Of 100’x20’ Pre-Fabricated Building Of Commando Regiment - Kaluambathenna
• Road Construction And Tar Laying At 6 Sle - Pallekele
• Clearing Jungle And Construction Road Network Inside Of The Camp - 10 Esr Hambantota
• Digging Of Foundation Pits For Construction Of Building Complex At Ocdc - Buttala
• Road Construction And Asphalt Laying Work At Slma - Diyathalawa
• Earth Moving Task At Rhq Sf - Nawula
• Renovation Of Internal Road Network At Sf Rhq - Naula
• Renovation Of Internal Road Network And Applying Tar At Ocdc - Buttala
• Preparation Land For Pre-Fabricated Building At 12 Div - Hambantota
• Preparation Of Ground For Construct Prosthetics And Orthotics Lab At 5 Gw - Wellawaya
• Preparation Of Ground For Officers’ Accommodation At Abh - Diyathalawa
• Preparation Of Ground At Slma Stable - Diyathalawa
• Earth Moving Task At Firing Range – Msts Diyatalawa
• Earth Moving Task At 1 Gr Holiday Bungalow - Dewahuwa (Stage I)
• Earth Moving Task At 1 Gr Holiday Bungalow – Dewahuwa (Stage Ii)
• Road Construction And Tar Laying At 8 Slasc Suply Point - Diyathalawa
• Earth Moving Task At 2 X Pre-Fabricated Building - Ella Camp Slma - Diyathalawa
• Internal Road Construction At 4(V) Slaoc
• Abc Transporting Wellawaya To Diyathalawa
• Renovation Of Parade Ground At Diyathalawa
• Abc Laying, Leveling And Compaction Of Ground At Diyathalawa
• Earth Moving Task At (119ft X 51 Ft) Building - Slma - Diyathalawa
• Renovation Of The Road And Dropping Zone At- Crts Kudaoya
• Earth Moving Task At Officer Career Development Centre - Buttala
• Filling Of Foundation At 5 Gw - Wellawaya
• Earth Moving Task At Crts Kuda Oya
• Renovation Of Road At Slacdrt Gampola For “Boot On The Ground”
• Re - Const Of 300m Firing Range, Msts At Dla ( Stage I )
• Renovation Of Road Network At Crts Kuda Oya
• Renovation Of Road In Commando Regiment Training School Uva – Kuda Oya
• Earth Moving Task At 8 Mic
• New Army Hospital Const Proj At Pallekele – Const Of Chain Link
• Earth Moving Task Of 1 Gr Rear Headquarter At Dewahuwa
• Re-Const Of 500 M Firing Range, Msts At Dla (Stage Ii)
• Construction Of Road At Slma - Diyatalawa
• Earth Moving Task At New Army Hospital - Pallekele
• Earth Moving Task On Ammo Dump Const Proj At Agunuwalpalassa Stage – I (1 To 7 Ammo Dumps)
• Earth Moving Task At 2 Slarc – Buddankotte
• New Army Hospital Construction Project- Pallekele
• Transportation Of 300 Cubes Of Sand From Kirinda To Slma Diyatalawa
• Construction Of Mini Parade Ground At Slma - Diyatalawa
• Earth Moving Task On New Army Hospital At Pallekele (Misc Tasks)

PRESENT APPOINTMENT HOLDERS OFFICERS

S/N	SVC NO	RANK	NAME	APPOINTMENT
1.	O/65165	Lt Col	C R Lahadasinghe USP psc SLE	CO
2.	O/65979	Maj	W M A B Warnasooriya psc SLE	2IC
3.	O/66142	Maj	H M U S K Illangarathne RSP SLE	OC 64 PL SQN
4.	O/66851	Maj	R M I A Bandara USP SLE	OC 60  HQ SQN
5.	O/68498	Maj	A D A Suniljeewa SLE	OC 62 FD SQN
6.	O/69476	Maj	A K S Silva SLE	OC 63 FD SQN
7.	O/70596	Capt	C B Weerapura SLE	Adjutant
8.	O/70896	Capt	N O Kalinga SLE	TP COMD 64 PL SQN
9.	O/70967	Capt	G H K De Silva SLE	IO
10.	O/66997	Capt (QM)	K P K Muthunayake USP SLE	QM
11.	O/71205	Lt	D R K S Wijerathne SLE	TP COMD 62 FD SQN
12.	O/71725	2/Lt	K M U R Bandara SLE	TP COMD 60 HQ SQN
13.	C/85808	2/Lt	N R Fernandopulle SLE	TP COMD 63 FD SQN

PRESENT APPOINTMENT HOLDERS SNCO

S/N	SVC NO	RANK	NAME	APPOINTMENT
1.	S/240582	WO I	KUMARATHUNGA PMD	RSM
2.	S/240514	WO I	DUMINDA WA	FILD ASM
3.	S/240616	WO II	SUMITH BANDARA HMJ	PLANT ASM
4.	S/241104	WO II	WIJESINGHE PS	DI
5.	S/241002	WO II	AJITH KUMARA RA	64 PLANT SQN MMS
6.	S/241789	WO II	DANAPALA RD	60 SQN MMS
7.	S/242262	WO II	PERISYALA PRJ	CC
8.	S/240524	S/SGT	RATHNAYAKA RMN	63 FD SQN MMS
9.	S/240594	S/SGT	DHARMADASA JMAS	62 FD SQN MMS
10.	S/240630	S/SGT	PREMAKUMARA DLWP	61 FD SQN MMS
11.	S/241246	S/SGT	WIJETHILAKE NHA	MT NCOS
12.	S/241686	S/SGT	SUCHINTHAKA RHN	ARMY NCOS
13.	S/241802	S/SGT	SHANTHA KUMARA SS	RQ
14.	S/241797	SGT	PILAPITIYA PGUYK	PRI NCOS




PAST COMMANDING OFFICERS

Lt Col MDS Chandrapala psc SLE (From 09.11.1989 - 11.02.1991)		Lt Col AED Wijendra psc SLE (From 11.02.1991 - 23.11.1991)
Lt Col WGK Ariyaratne CENG (1) AMIE SLE (From 23.11.1991 - 27.05.1994)		Lt Col VN Wijayagunawardena SLE (From 27.05.1994 - 08.07.1996)
Lt Col AWJC De Silva psc SLE (From 08.07.1996 - 28.07.1997)		Lt Col CK Rajapaksha SLE (From 28.07.1997 - 07.01.1999)
Lt Col S Ranasinghe RWP RSP psc SLE (From 07.01.1999 - 22.04.2000)		Lt Col GDI Karunaratne RSP psc SLE (From14.07.2000 - 14.03.2003)
Lt Col HJS Gunawardena RSP psc SLE (From 14.03.2003 - 11.09.2003		Lt Col HKP Peiris SLE (From11.09.2003 - 23.03.2005)
Lt Col SAR Samarasinghe RSP USP SLE (From 07.07.2005 - 21.09.2006)		Lt Col EN Ramanayaka SLE (From 21.09.2006 - 17.09.2008)
Lt Col MK Jayawardena SLE (From 17.09.2008 - 15.09.2010)		Lt Col AHLG Amarapala psc SLE (From01.11.2010 - 08.06.2011)
Lt Col KAN Rasika Kumara psc SLE (From 31.10.2011 - 21.01.2012)		Lt Col TC Peris RSP SLE (From 02.04.2012 - 25.03.2014)
Lt Col WS GAMAGE RSP psc SLE (From 25.03.2014 - 12.01.2017)		Major PSJ Franando SLE (From 12.01.2017 - 04.09.2018)
Major CL Kulathunga RSP psc SLE (From 05.11.2018 - 20.11.2020)		Lt Col BKTN Batuwanthudawa USP SLE (From20.11.2020 - )

PRESENT DEPLOYMENT