19th February 2020 22:08:00 Hours
The Instructor Team of Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers on the Invitation of MNDF presently deployed at Maldives has successfully concluded the Bomb and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Training (BIEDDT) generating basic and advanced Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Operators to MNDF building bomb disposal capabilities and operational response in order to prepare for any eventualities. The student participants in the course constituted with Officers and Other Ranks representing various services of MNDF. The graduation ceremony of the BIEDDT Advance Course was held on 16 February 2020 marking the end of the training mission. Lt Abdulla Shahid of Costal Guard excelled in the course emerged as the first in order of merit.
The Commander Engr Bde Brig Nihal Amarasekera attended the graduation ceremony as the guest of honour and awarded the certificates and pinned the advanced EOD badges for the students qualified in the course. The moment became historical with the introduction of advanced bomb disposal insignia for MNDF for the first time. Brig Nihal Amarasekera during his keynote address greatly appreciated the training opportunity extended to Sri Lanka Army in order to train Maldives National Defence Force Officers and Other Ranks. He further, extended his profound gratitude on behalf of the Lt Gen Shavendra Silva, acting Chief of Defence Staff & Commander of the Army and the Colonel Commandant Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers and the Commandant, SLAVF Maj Gen Jagath Gunawardena to the Republic of Maldives and the Chief of the Defence Force Maj Gen Abdhulla Shammal for invaluable assistance rendered during training.
The Chief of Defence Force awarded commendation letters for the Sri Lankan Instructor Team for their untiring effort to train MNDF personnel whilst conducting both basic and advance Bomb and IEDD training in Maldives for over four months and thirteen days. The graduation ceremony was graced by the Chief of Defence Force Maj Gen Abdhulla Shammal, the Vice Chief of Defence Force Brig Gen Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, Brig Gen Wais Waheed Commanding Officer CDSS, Principal Directors, all Service Commanders, Senior Officers of MNDF, Officers, Warrant Officers, Senior NCOs, NCOs and large gathering of Other Ranks of MNDF. The graduation ceremony held at MNDF Integrated Headquarters at Bandaara Koshi, Male.
The basic and advance Bomb and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Training Courses were designed to train MNDF Officers and Soldiers on handling mines, explosives and accessories, to conduct demolitions, disposal of bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), destruction of arms and ammunitions, EOD and UXOs enabling students to undertake any demolition or disposal task as a technically and tactically qualified basic and advanced EOD and IEDD handlers. The basic and advanced EOD and IEDD techniques tactics and procedures (TTPs) were imparted during two comprehensive training modules designed by the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers Instructor Team. The basic BIEDDT course was held from 16 October 2019 to 19 December 2019 with participation of 35 students whilst twenty one students attended the advance BIEDDT course which was conducted from 5 January 2020 to 16 February 2020.
The exercise code named Exercise DHE MAKARU the final field training exercise held from 9 February to 14 February 2020 in order to test the BIEDDT Advance Course students on planning and executing IEDD Operations and to evaluate their individual skills and competencies marked the termination of all training events. The exercise conducted at Hulhule, Hulhumale and Male areas with receiving the assistance of essential stakeholders involve during disposal of Bombs and IEDS.
The two training modules were supervised and coordinated under HQ Engr Bde and ten member Instructor Team is headed by Lt Col Chandana Wickramanayake as the Head of the Training Team. In addition, the instructor team includes Maj Krishantha Pusewela, Maj Priyantha Kodithuwakku, Maj Janaka Gunawardena, Capt Panchal Gunasekara, WO I KM Weerarathne, WO II Samantha Bandara MM, WO II Kumarasiri VPRN, S/Sgt Karunarathne HMSPK and Cpl Nishantha HGC from Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers.
