20th March 2024 11:13:37 Hours
In response to an invitation from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Instructor Team from the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers is.scheduled to depart for the Maldives on 20 March 2024. Ahead of their journey, a formal interaction session took place at the Regimental Centre, Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers, with the presence of Major General M K Jayawardena RSP VSV USP ndu, the Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force and the Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers. Also in attendance were Major General S A Kulatunge RWP RSP VSV USP psc, Chief Field Engineer of the Sri Lanka Army, Major General D K S K Dolage USP psc, General Officer Commanding, Engineer Division; Colonel F Joseph USP, Commander of the Engineer Brigade and Colonel R M Subasinghe RSP, Deputy Centre Commandant. During this session, the Colonel Commandant and other senior officers extended their best wishes for the successful execution of the training program.
The training program, spanning three months, aims to equip MNDF Officers and Soldiers with comprehensive skills in mine handling, explosives management, and related accessories. Participants will be trained in conducting demolitions, disposing of bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as well as destroying arms and ammunition. The program will cover expertise in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs), enabling students to confidently undertake various demolition and disposal tasks as both basic and advanced EOD and IEDD handlers, with proficiency in both technical and tactical aspects.
The seven-member team will be led by Lieutenant Colonel J A C S Jagoda psc SLE, who serves as the Head of the Training Team. Additionally, the instructor team comprises Major M A K R K Abeywickramasinghe RWP RSP psc SLE, Major M C P A Manodarage SLE, Major B M T D R Perera SLE, Warrant Officer II Dharmashantha W G I, Warrant Officer II Edirisinghe L E A N S, and Staff Sergeant Malwaththage M G M.
