08th November 2023 18:58:20 Hours
In today's global landscape, enhancing our nation's capacities to respond to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear challenges has become an imperative. Recognizing the significance of this endeavor, the 14 CBRNE Response Regiment SLE, under the guidance of the Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers, took a proactive step by organizing the workshop and interaction session with stakeholders through an online platform. This session served as a valuable opportunity to assess the current response capacity of our nation, particularly in the context of evolving global challenges.
In this forward-thinking initiative, senior officers of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers actively participated in the workshop and interaction session on the online platform, demonstrating their commitment to advancing our CBRN capabilities. To further bolster our human resource capabilities in this critical domain, a basic CBRN response course was conducted in conjunction with the interaction session. Participants for this course were selected from each engineer unit located at the respective Security Force headquarters of the Sri Lanka Army, ensuring a comprehensive representation.
The course commenced on 17 October 2023 and concluded on 03 November 2023. It witnessed the active engagement of seven officers and 26 other rankers who not only participated enthusiastically but also successfully completed the course. During the duration of the course, participants had the privilege of attending lectures from subject matter experts in various facets of CBRN response, including the National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC), the Atomic Energy Regulatory Council (AERC), the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), the Ministry of Health, and the Colombo Fire Department.
The closing ceremony for this landmark event took place on 3 November 2023 and was graced by the presence of the Chief Field Engineer, Major General SA Kulatunge RWP RSP VSV USP psc, who attended as the chief guest. During the closing address, the Chief Field Engineer underscored the critical importance of CBRN training and highlighted the significance of leveraging existing facilities to enhance the capacity of the CBRNE response team.
This message serves as a pivotal step forward in ensuring the preparedness and effectiveness of the 14 CBRNE Response Regiment SLE in responding to CBRN threats. Moreover, in a display of heartfelt appreciation, the Chief Field Engineer extended his gratitude to the Commanding Officer of the 14 CBRNE Response Regiment SLE and the dedicated training team. Their exceptional efforts and insightful guidance transformed the event into a resounding success, equipping the course participants with invaluable knowledge and expertise.
In a rapidly changing world order, the need to fortify our nation's CBRN capabilities is paramount. The interaction session and basic course, organized by the 14 CBRNE Response Regiment SLE, are commendable efforts toward achieving this goal. Such initiatives not only underscore the commitment of Sri Lanka Engineers to safeguard our nation but also reflect our readiness to face future challenges head-on. The knowledge and skills acquired through these efforts will undoubtedly contribute to a safer and more resilient Sri Lanka on the global stage.
