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Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers

Motherland Honour & Service

OFFICE OF CHIEF FIELD ENGINEER

Brigadier C D Wickramanayake WV RSP ndc
Chief Field Engineer

CREATION AND RAISING OF THE OFFICE OF CHIEF FIELD ENGINEER

The Sri Lanka Army steadily expanded with the increase of operational commitments in the country during the early 1990s.The command and control of in-support operations linked with combat engineer tasks also were complexed parallel to such expansion. Due to this expansion, the Engineer Brigade was raised on 1 June 1988 and functioned under Regimental Headquarters. On 9 May 1996, Engineer Brigade began to function independently at Army Cantonment Panagoda and Brigadier TF Bohoran RSP USP psc assumed the office as the first Brigade Commander. According to the nature of operational requirement, the Headquarter Engineer Brigade was relocated to Kirulapona in 2001 and subsequently to Maththegoda in 2006 before being deployed in Boo Oya, Vavuniya from 10 May 2008.

With the outbreak of the Elam war IV in 2006, new Infantry Divisions and Task Forces were formed to cater for the advancing forces from several fronts. The Corps of Engineers too had to be expanded to support the increasing demand for Combat Engineer Support in the operational theatres. Hence, the Office of Chief Field Engineer was established at Army Camp Maththegoda to support the operational formations on 12th March 2007. At the time of raising, the Office was known as the Headquarters of Chief Field Engineer and was situated in the 5 SLE RHQ Building in Maththegoda. Though the Office was raised in 2007, it existed from September 2006.

Headquarters Chief Field Engineer - Mattegoda

HQ CFE occupied the 5 SLE RHQ Building until the HQ CFE Building was completed in 2010. HQ CFE functioned in this location until the AHQ complex was completed in 2019. With the inaugural opening of the Army Headquarters complex in Baththaramulla the Office was relocated to Block 6 Ground Floor on 26th November 2019 and was renamed as the Office of CFE.

Headquarters Chief Field Engineering Office Building Opening at Mattegoda - 28.01.2010

At the time of raising the HQ CFE in Maththegoda, the first Chief Field Engineer was Major General L M Samaraweera RWP RSP USP along with a limited staff. At the inception HQ CFE utilized the resources of the Engineer Brigade until the 2010. The HQ CFE immensely contributed during the Northern and Eastern Humanitarian Operations with the limited resources available. Prior to the raising of the Office of CFE, Engineer Brigade was the Operational Formation which provided the Combat Engineer support for the Fighting Formations in the theatre of operations.

ORGANIZATION

ORBAT

INVOLVEMENT IN HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS

Eastern Theatre.

At the outbreak of Eastern Humanitarian Operations over the closure of the Mavil Aru sluice gates, 7 Field Engineer Regiment SLE provided combat engineer support to all the Field and special operation Formations under Security Forces (East) namely 22 Division, 23 Division, Commando Brigade and Special Force Brigade from 26 July 2006 to 12 July 2007. The combat engineering missions were carried out at Mavil Aru, Mutur, Sampoor and Foul Point, Panichchankerni,Vakarai, Thoppigala (Baron’s Cap) areas under intense enemy fire.

Troops Involvement.

15 officers and 436 Other Ranks contributed for liberation of eastern theatre. In addition, clearing of mine fields to facilitate advancing infantry troops, reconstruction of Panichchankerni bridge, within 48 hours was a significant achievement. Lankapatuna bridge, which links Sampoor and Echalampattu was an important construction to sustain the livelihood of civilians. 71 Field Squadron was split into small groups to par with Commando and Special Force pattern of operations and the skills they exhibited assisted immensely to achieve the objectives of the special operations including capturing of Thoppigala (Baron’s Cap).

Wanni Theatre.

Simultaneous to the offensive operations against the LTTE in the Eastern theatre, the operations in the Wanni theatre also commenced to cause maximum attrition to the LTTE by engaging from multiple fronts. The operations in Wanni theatre comprised of two fronts, including Wanni Front and Northern Front.

Troop Involvement.

During the operations 5 and 11 Field Engineer Regiment SLE were affiliated to Security Forces Headquarters (Wanni). 5 Field Engineer Regiment SLE provided engineer support to 21 Division, 57 Division, 58 Division, Task Force 3, Task Force 5, Task Force 6 and Area Headquarters (Mannar). 11 Field Engineer Regiment SLE provided engineer support to 56 Division, 59 Division, 61 Division, Task Force 2, Task Force 4, Task Force 8 and Area Headquarters (Weli Oya).

Northern Front - The Jaffna Peninsula.

The Jaffna Peninsula is mostly surrounded by water, connected to the rest of the island by a narrow strip of land. The total land area including inland water of Jaffan is 1,030 km². The land route to Jaffna Peninsula through Elephant Pass was cut off since April 2000. With the land route through Elephant pass being severed off over 450,000 civilians and 15,000 military personnel had to be sustained by air and sea. Hence the field engineer and plant engineer role were a vital factor to function all military installation in Jaffna while facilitating logistic supplies via sea and air.

High Security Zone Palali.

The High Security Zone-Palali (HSZ) was the most critical military deployed area in Jaffna peninsula. The Security Forces Headquarters (Jaffna) comprised of air field, Northern Command of Sri Lanka Navy, two harbours, military installations such as field hospital, ammo dumps and transit camp were within the HSZ. Hence HSZ was a lucrative target for the LTTE. Hence, a high level of security was needed at every entry and exit points to the HSZ. Due to this fact, the field engineers were performing their tasks around the clock at each of these entry and exit points to ensure that all movements in and out of these points are screened properly to prevent lapse in security without hindering the movement.

Commencement of Operations.

Once humanitarian operations were in progress in the eastern theatre, 1 Field Engineer Regiment SLE and 6 Field Engineer Regiment SLE were deployed in Jaffna peninsula. The task assigned to these regiments was to provide combat engineer support to 51 Division, 52 Division, 53 Division, 55 Division and HSZ. Subsequent to liberating the eastern theatre from the grip of LTTE, humanitarian operations were concentrated to the Wanni theatre.

Troop Deployment.

The northern front of Wanni Humanitarian Operation was supported by 1 and 6 Field Engineer Regiments while 8 and 10 Field Engineer Regiments contributed the Infantry Formations by performing duties on RFT role.

PAST APPOINTMENTS HOLDERS.

1. CHIEF FIELD ENGINEERS.

  1. Maj Gen LM Samaraweera RWP RSP USP 05.09.06 - 27.02.09
  2. Maj Gen DMD Alwis USP psc 27.02.09 - 10.02.10
  3. Brig VUB Nanayakkara USP Hdmc 10.02.10 - 26.07.10
  4. Brig KMU Wijeratne USP (Overlook) 27.07.10 - 05.08.11
  5. Maj Gen LN Wickramasuriya RSP USP ndu psc 28.06.12 - 01.10.12
  6. Maj Gen LN Wickramasuriya RSP USP ndu psc 01.10.12 - 03.09.15
  7. Brig SJMAR Senevirathne RWP USP psc (Overlook) 03.09.15 - 28.12.15
  8. Brig GDI Karunarathne RSP psc 28.12.15 - 12.02.16
  9. Brig GDI Karunarathne RSP psc 12.02.16 - 28.07.17
  10. Maj Gen DS Weeraman psc 28.07.17 - 15.08.18
  11. Maj Gen HRKP Peiris USP ndu 15.08.18 - 28.06.19
  12. Maj Gen TJ Nanayakkara RWP VSV USP ndu 05.07.19 - 25.11.19
  13. Brig AN Amarasekara USP ndu (Over look) 26.11.19 - 10.12.19
  14. Maj Gen HRKP Peiris VSV USP ndu 11.12.19 - 23.07.20
  15. Maj Gen AN Amarasekara USP ndu 24.07.20 - 21.12.21
  16. Maj Gen WMGCSB Wijayasundara RSP USP ndu 22.12.21 - 10.06.22
  17. Maj Gen MK Jayawardena RSP VSV USP ndu 11.06.22 - 07.06.23
  18. Maj Gen AHLG Amarapala RWP RSP ndc psc 08.06.23 - 09.10.23
  19. Maj Gen SA Kulatunge RWP RSP VSV USP psc 10.10.23 - 18.04.24
  20. Brig SPG Gamage RWP RSP USP (Overlook) 19.04.24 - 02.05.24
  21. Maj Gen PPA Perera Hdmc psc 03.05.24 - 15.07.24
  22. Maj Gen MPK Madurapperuma RSP USP psc 16.07.24 – 26.08.24
  23. Maj Gen TC Peiris RSP USP 26.08.24 – 29.05.24
  24. Maj Gen KAN Rasika Kumara ndc psc (Overlook) 29.05.25 – 28.06.25
  25. Brig CD Wickramanayake WV RSP ndc (Overlook) 28.06.25 – 15.08.25
  26. Brig CD Wickramanayake WV RSP ndc (Officiating) 15.08.25 - at Present

COLONEL COORDINATORS.

  1. Lt Col SK Thirunawukarusu - 28.06.2007 - 28.02.2010
  2. Lt Col A N Amarasekara USP ndu - 06.03.2010 - 20.06.2012
  3. Col NKLSR Diaz RSP - 25.06.2012 - 06.12.2013
  4. Lt Col N P A Gunawardena RSP - 05.12.2013 - 03.06.2014
  5. Col P Wimalasiri RWP - 02.04.2015 - 11.07.2016
  6. Lt Col M P K Madurapperuma RSP USP psc - 20.11.2017 - 31.03.2019
  7. Lt Col SBWMN Samaradiwakara RSP - 01.04.2019 - 11.01.2021
  8. Lt Col H K P Karunathilaka RSP - 16.04.2021 - 27.06.2023
  9. Col L M Haputhanthri - 28.06.2023 - 21.05.2024

COLONEL CHIEF FIELD ENGINEER

  1. 1. Col H S K Jayasinghe RSP 22.05.2024 - at Present

GENERAL STAFF OFFICER I (FIELD).

  1. Maj F Josep SLE - 19.05.2010 - 28.07.2010
  2. Maj RDS Wijethunga SLE - 20.08.2013 - 28.12.2013
  3. Maj CM Liyanage SLE - 30.11.2015 - 05.01.2016
  4. Maj CD Wickramanayaka SLE - 04.05.2012 - 24.10.2012
  5. Maj M K V Manoharan SLE - 28.10.2012 - 01.02.2013
  6. Lt Col SC Kaggodaarachchi RSP USP SLE - 02.02.2013 - 24.10.2014
  7. Maj TDP Siriwardene psc SLE - 25.10.2014 - 03.11.2015
  8. Maj EAJS Assaddumegedara psc SLE - 01.05.2016 - 01.05.2017
  9. Lt Col B S Ahamat psc SLE - 10.01.2017 - 05.01.2018
  10. Lt Col D N C Serasinghe RSP SLE - 02.08.2018 - 07.01.2019
  11. Lt Col TDP Siriwardene psc SLE - 07.01.2019 - 16.09.2020
  12. Lt Col H K P Karunathilaka RSP SLE - 17.09.2020 - 22.02.2021
  13. Lt Col M K V Manoharan USP SLE - 23.02.2021 - 30.11.2022
  14. Lt Col K K P Pussewala RWP SLE - 15.12.2022 - 11.12.2024
  15. 15. Lt Col G A D Alwis RSP psc SLE 11.12.2024 - at Present

GENERAL STAFF OFFICER I (Procurement)

  1. Lt Col CD Wickramanayaka WV RSP SLE - 26.11.2012 - 08.08.2013
  2. Maj SC Kaggodaarachchi SLE - 20.07.2012 - 14.08.2014
  3. Maj H Kottahachchi SLE - 16.11.2013 - 20.06.2019
  4. Maj DMUR Nayanananda RSP SLE - 06.06.2019 - 14.06.2020
  5. Lt Col T M P Jalal SLE - 08.07.2020 - 14.02.2023
  6. Lt Col P G P A Wijerathna RSP USP SLE - 15.02.2023 - 25.12.2023

GENERAL STAFF OFFICER I (PLANT/PLANNING & PROCUREMENT)

  1. Lt Col W D S S Fernando USP SLE 12.06.2024 - at Present

GENERAL STAFF OFFICER II (GEN).

  1. Maj M K V Manoharan USP SLE 01.10.2007 - 28.03.2008
  2. Maj I K Liyanage psc SLE 03.04.2008 - 22.01.2009
  3. Maj B A M P Balasooriya RSP SLE 23.01.2009 - 20.05.2010

GENERAL STAFF OFFICER II (HDM/GEN).

  1. Maj G A D Alwis RSP psc SLE 01.01.2014 - 25.10.2015
  2. Maj BKTN Batuwanthudawa SLE 18.11.2015 - 05.04.2016
  3. Maj KADP Sugathadasa USP SLE 20.04.2016 - 22.03.2018
  4. Maj EAJS Assaddumegedara psc SLE 09.09.2016 - 09.09.2018
  5. Maj BLDI Silva SLE 10.03.2018 - 23.12.2018
  6. Maj KKP Pussewala RSP SLE 15.05.2018 - 16.04.2019
  7. Maj H M U S K Illangaratne RSP SLE 11.04.2019 - 04.01.2022
  8. Maj L L C S Cabraal psc SLE 05.01.2022 - 08.09.2022
  9. Maj D B P K Gunathilake SLE 09.09.2022 – 28.11.2024
  10. Maj M T A P L Perera SLE 29.11.2024 – 14.08.2025

GENERAL STAFF OFFICER II (GEN).

  1. Maj MKV Manoharan USP SLE - 01.10.2007 - 28.03.2008
  2. Maj I K Liyanage psc SLE - 03.04.2008 - 22.01.2009
  3. Maj BAMP Balasooriya RSP SLE - 23.01.2009 - 20.05.2010

GENERAL STAFF OFFICER II (OPS/TRG)

  1. Maj G W R P Jayawardhana SLE 15.08.2025 - at Present

GENERAL STAFF OFFICER II (PLANT).

  1. Maj AADRK Amarathunge USP SLE - 03.10.2008 - 23.01.2011
  2. Maj JN Keerthisinghe SLE - 15.03.2012 - 22.05.2013
  3. Maj MAPS Perera psc SLE - 22.05.2013 - 15.01.2014
  4. Maj JN Keerthisinghe SLE - 16.01.2014 - 06.10.2015
  5. Maj TMP Jalal SLE - 07.10.2015 - 09.03.2017
  6. Maj PGMAK Gunasena SLE - 10.03.2017 - 18.04.2018
  7. Maj BLDI Silva SLE - 19.04.2018 - 18.12.2018
  8. Maj LIH Wedage SLE - 20.12.2018 - 29.09.2019
  9. Maj MJ Salgadu RSP SLE - 28.09.2019 - 19.01.2020
  10. Maj ALIWK Athugala RSP psc SLE - 20.01.2020 - 19.01.2021
  11. Maj RMLA Rathnayaka psc SLE - 20.01.2021 - 13.02.2023
  12. Maj K A A Kodippili Arachchi psc SLE - 14.02.2023 - 27.06.2025
  13. Maj HAR Amarasekara SLE - 28.06.2025 – at Present

STAFF OFFICER II (ADMIN).

  1. Maj HAR Amarasekara SLE - 11.10.2023 – 28.06.2025
  2. Maj MKV Rathnayake SLE - 28.06.2025 - at Present

GENERAL STAFF OFFICER II (PLANING/PROC).

  1. Maj KAPN Kulathunga SLE - 08.01.2024 - at Present

ACCOUNT OFFICERS.

  1. Lt CS Kotuwegedara - 02.04.2011 - 16.04.2014
  2. Capt Nadeeshani SLAGSC - 12.07.2016 - 18.09.2017
  3. Capt YRL Abeynayaka SLAGSC - 02.12.2017 - 23.01.2020
  4. Maj TDM De Silva SLAGSC - 24.01.2020 - 21.01.2022
  5. Maj HMMS Herath SLAGSC - 22.01.2023 - 14.11.2023
  6. Maj MKS De Silva SLAGSC - 14.11.2023 - at Present

QUARTER MASTERS/ALOs.

  1. Capt (QM) MH Upul Nandana SLE - 15.02.2013 - 23.09.2015
  2. Capt KPK Muthunayake SLE - 24.09.2015 - 27.02.2018
  3. Capt (QM) URW Samarawickrama SLE - 28.02.2018 - 02.08.2019
  4. Lt (QM) YSC Jayasooriya USP SLE - 08.09.2020 - 18.11.2020
  5. Capt M A N Jayathilake SLE - 02.05.2021 - 03.07.2022
  6. Lt PWTPP Fernado SLE - 04.07.2022 - 24.12.2022
  7. Capt RMSS Rathnayake SLE - 13.06.2023 - 23.11.2023

CHIEF CLERKS.

  1. WO I MAC Karunaratne - 03.04.2007 - 01.01.2008
  2. WO I WDS Premasiri - 02.01.2008 - 02.12.2010
  3. WO I WJ Rambanda USP - 03.12.2010 - 15.10.2013
  4. WO I AGS Gunathilaka USP - 16.10.2013 - 02.04.2014
  5. WO I MMS Kumarasiri - 03.04.2014 - 10.04.2015
  6. WO I Wickramasinghe - 11.04.2015 - 04.02.2016
  7. WO I Rathnasooriya - 05.02.2016 - 26.04.2018
  8. WO I SN Rathnayaka - 27.04.2018 - 05.02.2019
  9. WO I PGD Senadheera - 06.02.2019 - 18.01.2020
  10. WO I TBP Kumara - 19.01.2020 - 31.05.2022
  11. WO I PGTN Dharmawardena - 01.06.2022 - 07.09.2022 l. WO I SASPK Subasingha USP - 07.09.2022 - 26.02.2024
  12. WO I JAR Jayalath USP - 19.03.2024 - 01.06.2025
  13. WO I C N M Chandrasekara USP 01.06.2025 – at Present

ASM (Fd).

  1. WO II Liyanage SCH - 23.08.2015 - 22.11.2016
  2. WO I WBMND Wanigasekara - 23.11.2016 - 24.07.2017
  3. WO I IAD Nishantha - 25.07.2017 - 24.08.2018
  4. WO II Bandara SM - 25.08.2018 - 18.06.2019
  5. WO I DL Jayantha - 19.06.2019 - 19.07.2020
  6. WO I SM Samarajeewa - 20.07.2020 - 24.05.2021
  7. WO II Chaminda SA - 25.05.2021 - 12.05.2023

ASM (Pl).

  1. WO I WAS Jayawardena - 05.04.2016 - 17.03.2018
  2. WO II Suraweera HMA - 18.03.2018 - 11.06.2019
  3. WO I HMG Samarasinghe - 13.06.2019 - 15.07.2021
  4. WO I SD Dissanayaka - 16.07.2021 - 18.02.2021
  5. WO I NBS Perera - 19.02.2021 - 18.05.2020

PRESENT APPOINMENT HOLDERS.

  1. CFE - Brig C D Wickramanayake WV RSP ndc (Officiating)
  2. Col CFE - Col H S K Jayasinghe RSP
  3. GSO I (FD) - Lt Col G A D Alwis RSP psc SLE
  4. GSO I (Plant/Planning & Proc) - Lt Col W D S S Fernando USP SLE
  5. GSO II (Plant) - Maj H A R Amarasekara SLE
  6. GSO II (Ops/Trg) - Maj G W R P Jayawardhana SLE
  7. GSO II (Proc) - Maj K A P N Kulathunga SLE
  8. SO II (Admin) - Maj M K V Rathnayake SLE
  9. ADC -
  10. Acct Offr - Maj M K S De Silva SLAGSC
  11. Legal Offr - Maj A W K A D Amarathilaka SLAGSC (Overlooking)
  12. CC - WO I C N M Chandrasekara USP

PLANT ENGINEERING WING.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

1. Office of Chief Field Engineer is the bridge between the Branches/Directorates/Offices in Army Headquarters, Ministries, civil authorities with the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers. With the inception of the office, office coordinated all plant military projects which directly influence to the national security.

2. In the advisory role, this office coordinated number of projects for Military Assistance to Civil Ministries and Civil Communities. Under that, this office coordinated following projects with the liaison with line ministries, other government organisations and civil communities.

a.Yali Dakimu Deegavapiya In support of the government policy to protect and develop the archaeological sites in the eastern province, the corps provided the all earth moving machine and vehicle requirement for the development project at Deegawapiya Temple in Ampara.

b. Shrub Jungle Clearance at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) With the request of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited and under the guidance of the Ministry of Defence this office coordinated to clear the shrub jungle in MRIA. This project facilitated to resume the international flights MRIA base on the international flight standards. As this International Airport is a vital national asset, the cleaning initiative is regarded as a significant national mission aimed on preserving and enhancing this strategic property for the benefit of the entire country.

c. Provide of Machineries Refurbishment of Parliament of Sri Lanka

With the request of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, the close supervision of this office, Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers provided the all earth moving machine / vehicle requirement. The Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is the supreme legislative body of Sri Lanka.

FIELD ENGINEERING WING.

MILITARY AND NON-MILITARY PROJECTS

Office of Chief Field Engineer coordinated number of military and non military projects in the Field Engineering matters in order to ensure the national security as well as to assist the civil authorities.

a.Respond to Meethotamulla Landslide. Meethotamulla garbage dump collapse in year 2017.04.14 and Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers was assigned to rescue the affected people. This office coordinated with the civil authorities in order to ensure the safe life of the people.

b.Respond to Easter Sunday Bomb Blast The bomb disposal team and other field engineering assistance were coordinated with the instruction of the Ministry of Defence in order to ensure the security of the nation after the Easter Sunday Bomb blasts.

Respond after Sinking “MV X-PRESS PEARL” The container carrying ship “MV X-PRESS PEARL” sank Northwest of Colombo port with containers of chemical agents in 2021. The respond team of the corps was employed to prevent the damages that can be harmful to the environment.

Co-ordinate the Visit of Australian Defence Advisor to Sri Lanka to SLSME

Colonel Amanda Johnston, Defence Advisor to the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka, together with Major Chris Fowler, the Assistant Defence Advisor, conducted an official visit to the Sri Lanka School of Military Engineering (SLSME) in Embilipitiya on 11 August 2025.

Upon their arrival, they were welcomed by Colonel J.A.C.S Jagoda psc, the Commandant of SLSME. Afterwards, Commandant of SLSME delivered a comprehensive briefing on combat engineering roles in Sri Lanka and Australia, highlighting shared practices and unique requirements. The discussions also focused on the ‘F3 Mine Lab’ detectors and the prospects for reciprocal training exchanges.

The visit concluded with the exchange of mementoes. Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks participated in the event.

Disaster Relief Operations in Overseas

Sri Lanka Army has a history of participating in international humanitarian efforts, including deploying a disaster relief team to Japan in response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The team, comprised of military personnel, was deployed in May 2011 to assist with the clearing process in a heavily affected area near the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster zone

The tri-service humanitarian relief team, deployed to Myanmar for emergency operations following the recent devastating earthquake, returned to Sri Lanka today (26 April 2025) after successfully completing its mission.

The returning team was warmly received at the Bandaranaike International Airport by the Director General of Research Concepts and Doctrine.

The special tri-service contingent, comprising personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force, departed for Myanmar on 5 April 2025, following the directives of HE the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to deliver immediate humanitarian assistance to those affected by the disaster.

Upon arrival in Myanmar, the team was swiftly deployed to Nay Pyi Taw Province, approximately 450 kilometres from Yangon, to commence relief operations. They were also actively involved in critical disaster relief efforts in Pobba Thiri town, one of the areas hardest hit by the earthquake.

In their efforts to alleviate the suffering of displaced communities, the team established mobile medical clinics to provide urgent healthcare services. These clinics offered treatment for injuries, disease prevention support and medical assistance to vulnerable groups, including women and children living in temporary shelters.

HUMANITARIAN DEMINING

The Security Forces of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) have been involved in a prolonged armed conflict over three decades in the Northern and Eastern provinces. Terrorists have contaminated the land heavily with field fortifications coupled with Land mines, Anti-personnel Mines (AP Mines), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and booby traps without due consideration for future effects. The hazard aggravated due to the non-availability of records to trace back those mines and booby traps laid by the terrorists.

The LTTE had produced AP mines in large numbers and used as weapons of choice against Security Forces. This shows LTTE violated the norms of the convention. The LTTE as a terrorist organization banned in many countries in the world and also in Sri Lanka.

Before the establishment of the Chief Field Engineering Office in 2006, the humanitarian demining process had already begun in Sri Lanka. There were a total number of 44 HDM sites and an area of 8,119,431 SQMs has been cleared and handed over.

In May 2009 Security Forces regained control over the entire Island where LTTE have been driven out from their strongholds. With the end of the conflict, the first priority was to accelerate sustainable resettlement of those displaced by the fighting for nearly three decades. Due to the civil conflict significant number of mines, IEDs and Explosive Remnant of War (ERW) contaminated lands of the North and East of Sri Lanka. Therefore, creating a mine-free land was a vital precursor for the return of Internal Displaced Personnel (IDPs).

The end of the war in May 2009 provided a long-awaited opportunity for Sri Lanka to enjoy peace. However, the immediate challenge at the end of the conflict was the creation of mines-free environment in the former conflict-affected areas which were contaminated with 1.3 million (estimated) land mines, AP Mines and IEDs. It has been identified that over 640 villages (approx 1341.13 Sqkm) were affected by those.

Initially there were 13 organizations and later spanned in to a 18 Orgs incl SLAHDU, to clear the contaminated area. At present 5 Organization (2 x INGO and 2 x local NGO) are involved in the mine clearance process including SLA HDU.

  • Sri Lanka Army Humanitarian Demining (SLA HDU)
  • Delvon Association for Social Harmony (DASH)
  • Skavita Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Project (SHARP)
  • Mines Advisory Group (MAG)
  • Hazardous Area Life Support Organization (HALO Trust)

Initially it was identified over 1341.13 SqKms as mine and ERW contaminated areas. Some of the mine suspected areas were discarded after Non-Technical Survey and Technical Surveys. As at 31 May 2024, cleared area 1319.06 Sqkms and remaining area is 22.07 SqKms

Under the supervision of Office of Chief Field Engineer, SLA-HDU played the leading role and contributed the demining programme, 70% for the total cleared areas. It is 468.14 Sqkm from total cleared area after the year 2009 including Mine/ERW clearance at Rice bowl, opened access to two most famous religious heritages at M adu Church & Thirukeshwaran Hindu Temple and two railway lines, Omanthai- Kankesantural & Medawachchiya to Mannar, land for Kokavil transition tower before resuming reconstruction process as well as cleared the land for Palaly Airport. Following agencies including SLAHDU were contributed for the process of cleared contaminated areas since 2002 to up to now. Larger contribution extended by the SLAHDU.

Ser Agency Total Cleared Area
(Km2)		 Total
Remaining
Area
(Km2) of Presently
Active Org		 Allocations
of
Remaining
Area (Km2)
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
1 SLA HDU 866.35 0.60
2 DASH 17.56 2.81
3 HALO TRUST 52.97 22.82 8.59
4 MAG 101.78 8.59
5 SHARP 3.54 2.35
6 NMAC 0.34
7 DDG 31.84 - -
8 DMAO 0.0064 - -
9 GMAA Team Leader 0.0024 - -
10 HDU/Mine Advisory Group 28.49 - -
11 HDU/NPA 10.77 - -
12 HORIZON 98.23 - -
13 JCCP 0.14 - -
14 MAG/TRO 1.43 - -
15 Minetech 0.25 - -
16 MMIPE 3.80 - -
17 RONCO 0.15 - -
18 SARVATRA 62.86 - -
19 FSD 35.38 - -
20 UNOPS 0.08 - -
TOTAL 1,309.89 22.82 22.82

LTTE used protective minefields in front of their defensive positions. They laid mostly AP mines and also utilized some AT mines. No LTTE minefield records are available. The LTTE also made use of nuisance mines, to prevent access to facilities including wells, buildings, roads and footpaths. Some mines were also scattered on the ground during the LTTE rapid retreat in the north and the east during the final stages of the conflict in 2006-2009. The LTTE used improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the form of mortar shells connected to tripwires to act as fragmentation mines, bar mines, electrical and magnetically initiated explosive devices/ mines placed at strategic locations and mines connected with detonating cord to mortar/ artillery shells a distance away.

LTTE manufactured most of the mines they used themselves; some were designed with an anti-lift/anti-tilt mechanism to prevent the removal of the mine from the ground after it was laid.

Starting in 2002, some mine/ERW-contaminated areas in the northern and eastern provinces were cleared. The escalation of the conflict in 2006, however, resulted in areas being re-contaminated, in particular in northern and eastern provinces. Sri Lanka’s ERW contamination mainly consist of unexploded airdropped bombs, artillery- delivered shells, mortar bombs, handheld anti-tank projectiles, rifle grenades and hand grenades. There are also sizeable caches of abandoned explosive ordnance, particularly in the north. There are no reports that cluster ammunition/ bombs were used in Sri Lanka during the conflict. ERW were not viewed as a key threat during clearance operations after 2009, As IDPs and refugees started returning to conflict.

Affected areas after 2009, the GoSL believed that MRE coupled with an effective explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) response would be sufficient to address the ERW threat. During late 2010/early 2011, hundreds of ERW were reported every month by villagers and cleared by Corps of Sri Lanka Engineering tps under the leadership and controlled by the HQ CFE at that time.

PROGRESS MADE BY SLA HDU SINCE 2006 UP TO May 2024

Ser District Total Cleared Area in Sqm AP AT SAA UXO
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g)
1 Ampara 2,746,551 593 - 1,874 1,609
2 Anuradhapura 607,435 5,297 - 1 86
3 Batticaloa 7,209,828 14,413 8 14,918 4,957
4 Jaffna 31,136,760 217,676 589 231,599 41,086
5 Kilinochchi 29,331,418 221,756 989 553,132 73,175
6 Mannar 58,647,838 131,343 49 84,708 42,709
7 Mullaitivu 65,192,520 215,670 274 401,045 188,763
8 Polonnaruwa 228,505 999 - - 32
9 Puttalam 18,233 815 - - -
10 Trincomalee 8,841,076 12,814 14 4,928 2,057
11 Vavuniya 19,766,876 151,736 378 25,245 34,633
TOTAL 223,727,040 973,112 2,306 1,317,450 389,107

CLEARANCE MAP.

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