THE SPECIAL INFANTRY OPERATION COURSE NO – 70 CONCLUDES

Upon successful completion of the SIO course No 70, 14 Officers and 232 Other Ranks were able to wear the SIO insignia by the hands of Major General C D Weerasuriya RWP RSP ndu the Commander Security Force Headquarters (East) who graced the POP as the chief guest.

The course No - 70 commenced on 04 January 2021 at Army Training School (ATS) Maduruoya with 14 Officers and 258 Other Ranks. It consisted with several legs in different training establishments in Sri Lanka Army. Further, tactics leg of the said course was the critical part of the SIO which was scheduled for 40 working days at ATS Maduruoya and terminated on 25 February 2021 with a colorful Passing Out Parade (POP). It was commanded by Major V A D J D Vithana RWP RSP psc SLLI, Senior Instructor Combat Training Group (CTG) and parade 2 IC was Captain K D U C Aravinda VIR.

The continues guidance and the direction of the Commandant ATS Maduruoya Brigadier K A Samarasiri RWP RSP USP psc and the supervision of the Commanding Officer (Training) Colonel S A U A Solangarachchi RSP psc and the Chief Instructor, Lieutenant Colonel R S A W A K Abhayakoon RSP psc GR was the focal point to achieve the objectives of the course.

Following officers and Other Ranks were secured best achievements during the course and they were awarded by the Chief Guest.

* Best Section: The Best section awarded to 4 SLSR section under commands to SFHQ (J). The members of the best section are as follows:

          (1) O/71318 2/Lt DND de Silva

          (2) S/365632 S/Sgt Shantha Kumara DHC

          (3) S/382009 Rfm Abayasiri AN

          (4) S/382294 Rfm Nadishan KMD

          (5) S/378611 Rfm Kamal Rathnayake RMKG

          (6) S/381570 Rfm Ekanayake DMSK

          (7) S/383315 Rfm Gamlath MGTD

          (8) S/384399 Rfm Danushka HKN

          (9) S/384431 Rfm Keerthirathna TDGDM

* Best Shooter: Best shooter is S/2Q03298 S/Sgt Herath Bandara HMI from 7 SLNG under commands to SFHQ (WEST).

* Best in Physical Fitness: S/519494 Cpl Wickramarathna RDS from 18 VIR under commands to SFHQ(M).

* Best Other Rank Student: S/Sgt Herath Bandara HMI from 7 SLNG under commands to SFHQ (WEST).

* Best Student Officer: O/70898 Lt PKPB Pieris GW from 12 GW under commands to SFHQ (J).