The Armoured Corps Training Centre (ACTC) was raised in 1984 and Maj P A Karunatilleke was appointed as the first commandant of the school. The aim of raising ACTC was to train tradesmen required to operate the AFV fleet of the corps. However training related to other aspects also under took by the school in view of upgrading the standard of the officers and the men of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps.
Maj G A Chandrasiri took over duties as the Commandant in 1986. During this year, ACTC received "Buffle" vehicles from South Africa. These vehicles were deployed for operational duties with trained drivers and gunner operators. "Unicorns" also were deployed for operational duties which were constructed by the SLEME. Summary of training during 1986 is as indicated below:
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Ferret Scout Car | 11 |
2 | Saladin Armoured Car | 15 |
3 | Basic Drivers | 225 |
4 | Riders | 58 |
5 | Mechanical Transport Officers | 32 |
6 | Unicorn | 27 |
7 | Buffle | 16 |
Every driver received jungle warfare training as well. They were deployed on operational duties based on the instructions of North Central Command Headquarters. They also performed Internal Security duties within e Anuradhapura District.
Maj D V S Y Kulatunga assumed duties as the Commandant in 1987. The ACTC, which was at the North Central Command Headquarters complex, established its base at Kalattewa and was ceremonially opened on 1st January 1988. Summary of training during 1988 is as indicated below:
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Ferret Scout Car | 12 |
2 | Saladin / Saracen Armoured Car | 14 |
3 | Basic Drivers | 42 |
4 | Stalwart HMLC Course | 10 |
5 | Gunner Operator Course | 65 |
6 | Unicorn | 48 |
7 | Buffle | 41 |
8 | Recruit Training | 120 |
The APV Squadron which consisted of 56 x Unicorns, 32 x Buffles, 10 x Stalwarts and 10 x Hosper Cars was maintained by the ACTC and always kept ready to be deployed anywhere in the country. The first Officer Commanding was Lt M W E W De Silva and he took over duties on 01st January 1988.
Lt Col M H C Malwatte psc took over duties as the Commandant on 31st May 1989. Construction of an office complex and Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess were initiated. Following courses were successfully conducted during the year 1989.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Ferret Scout Car | 18 |
2 | Recruit Training | 240 |
3 | Armoured Car Commanders | 11 |
4 | Signal Operators | 24 |
5 | Stalwart Operators | 12 |
6 | Saracen / Saladin Armoured Car Operators | 12 |
7 | Buffle | 34 |
Lt Col N R Marambe took over as the Commandant on 29th October 1989 and Lt Col D V S Y Kulatunga took over as the Commandant for the second time on 25th May 1990. Following courses were conducted during the year:
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Ferret Scout Car | 16 |
2 | Unicorn | 31 |
3 | Armoured Car Commanders | 17 |
4 | Basic Drivers | 38 |
5 | Stalwart Operators | 15 |
6 | Saracen / Saladin Armoured Car Operators | 21 |
7 | Buffle Driver and Operator | 62 |
8 | Gunner Operator Course | 24 |
Following courses were conducted during the year 1991.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Ferret Scout Car | 48 |
2 | Recruit Training | 420 |
3 | Basic Drivers | 38 |
4 | Saracen / Saladin Armoured Car | 43 |
5 | Gunner Operator Course | 48 |
With the induction of T 85 AFVs in 1991, and ACTC commenced training programs to train drivers and gunner operators for T 85. Lt Col W A Pamunuwa psc took over duties as the Commandant on 27th May 1992. Following courses were conducted in 1992:
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Ferret Scout Car | 19 |
2 | T 85 Gunner Operator | 21 |
3 | Clerks | 15 |
4 | Saracen / Saladin Armoured Car | 10 |
5 | Gunner Operators | 43 |
6 | Basic Drivers | 113 |
Major M D W Kithsiri took over as the Commandant on 13th November 1992 and Following courses were conducted during the year 1993.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Ferret Scout Car | 21 |
2 | Riders | 42 |
3 | Clerks | 25 |
4 | Basic Drivers | 114 |
5 | Saracen / Saladin Armoured Car | 24 |
6 | Gunner Operators | 31 |
7 | Recruits | 42 |
8 | Tank Transporter Drivers | 07 |
ACTC celebrated its 10th anniversary by organizing a Pirith chanting ceremony on 01th January 1994. Following courses were conducted during the year 1994.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Ferret Scout Car | 23 |
2 | Basic Drivers | 88 |
3 | Saracen / Saladin Armoured Car | 07 |
4 | Riders | 19 |
5 | Signal Operators | 20 |
6 | Armoured Car Commanders | 97 |
7 | Clerks | 13 |
8 | Recruits | 70 |
Maj R M J A Ratnayake took over as the Commandant on 28th September 1994. Maj U A B Medawela took over as the Commandant on 28th April 1995. Following courses were conducted during the year 1995.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Ferret Scout Car | 24 |
2 | Basic Drivers | 85 |
3 | Saracen / Saladin Armoured Car | 29 |
4 | Riders | 12 |
5 | Gunner Operators | 25 |
6 | Clerks | 15 |
7 | Recruits | 201 |
Lt Col AM Perera took over as the Commandant on 08th July 1995. The Trade Training Squadron of the ACTC was raised at Clappenburg camp, Trincomalee in 1996. This was aimed to provide more practical oriented training in trades related to Armoured Fighting Vehicles. Following courses were conducted during the year 1996.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Ferret Scout Car | 19 |
2 | Basic Drivers | 61 |
3 | Saracen / Saladin Armoured Car | 24 |
4 | Riders | 12 |
5 | Gunner Operators | 21 |
6 | Recruits | 359 |
Maj S D T Liyanage RWP psc took over as the Commandant on 27th February 1997. Following courses were conducted during the year 1997.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Young Officers | 24 |
2 | Basic Drivers | 104 |
3 | Saracen / Saladin Armoured Car | 20 |
4 | Riders | 33 |
5 | Gunner Operators | 86 |
6 | Tank Drivers | 53 |
7 | Clerks | 19 |
8 | Recruits | 263 |
9 | Troop Sergeants | 15 |
10 | Armoured Car Commanders | 16 |
Maj R G U Rajapakse RSP psc took over as the Commandant on 03rd October 1997. Construction of Lt Gen D L Kobbakaduwa memorial library was undertaken and accomplished under the supervision of the Armoured Brigade in 1998. Construction of "A" and "B" vehicle model rooms and a sand model including a lecture hall were completed during this period. Following courses were conducted during the year 1998.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Young Officers | 13 |
2 | Basic Drivers | 85 |
3 | Saracen / Saladin Armoured Car | 20 |
4 | Riders | 11 |
5 | Gunner Operators | 89 |
6 | Tank Drivers | 44 |
7 | Clerks | 23 |
8 | Recruits | 145 |
9 | Troop Sergeants | 33 |
10 | Armoured Car Commanders | 12 |
11 | Transport Sergeants | 25 |
12 | Junior Leadership | 25 |
13 | Driving and Maintenance | 32 |
14 | Radio Instructors | 32 |
15 | BTR Gunner Operators | 20 |
From the beginning of the year 1999, Maj D T Gamage psc was took over the duties as the Commandant. Construction of new accommodation for the other ranks was completed during his tenure. Following courses were conducted during the year 1999
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Young Officers | 08 |
2 | Basic Drivers | 77 |
3 | Saracen / Saladin Armoured Car | 11 |
4 | Riders | 11 |
5 | Gunner Operators | 51 |
6 | Tank Drivers | 37 |
7 | Clerks | 30 |
8 | Recruits | 573 |
9 | Troop Sergeants | 21 |
10 | Armoured Car Commanders | 48 |
11 | Transport Sergeants | 14 |
12 | Senior NCOs Logistics | 19 |
13 | Computer | 10 |
Maj W A Ariyaratne took over as the Commandant on16th August 2000. Courses conducted during the year 2000 are as follows.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Basic Drivers | 24 |
2 | Gunner Operators | 119 |
3 | Tank Drivers | 40 |
4 | Clerks | 23 |
5 | Recruits | 356 |
6 | Troop Sergeants / Troop Commander | 15 |
7 | BMP Tank Drivers | 12 |
8 | Junior Leadership | 31 |
9 | Senior NCOs Logistics | 11 |
10 | BTR Gunner Operators | 26 |
MBesides these courses, ACTC trained the Pistol & Rifle shooting teams of SLAC for Inter Regimental meets of the Sri Lanka Army. Following were the courses conducted during the year 2001:
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Young Officers | 12 |
2 | Basic Drivers | 90 |
3 | Gunner Operators | 41 |
4 | Tank Drivers | 65 |
5 | Clerks | 13 |
6 | Recruits | 352 |
7 | Tank Commanders | 24 |
8 | Transport Sergeants | 12 |
9 | Armoured Car Commanders | 33 |
10 | Computer | 13 |
11 | BTR / T 86 Armoured Car | 20 |
Then the Colonel Commandant Maj Gen G Hettiarachchi WWV RWP RSP USP psc declared open the newly constructed Officers Mess Bar, Visitors Room, Television Hall, WO's & Sergeants' mess, and Corporals' Club on 10th January 2002. Lt Col G J Piyatunga took over as the Commandant on 26th March 2002 and Following courses were conducted during the year 2002
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Young Officers | 12 |
2 | Basic Drivers | 75 |
3 | Gunner Operators | 54 |
4 | Tank Drivers | 28 |
5 | Clerks | 40 |
6 | Recruits | 373 |
7 | Tank Commanders | 19 |
8 | Transport Sergeants | 22 |
9 | Logistics | 14 |
10 | Tank Transporter Drivers | 5 |
11 | BTR | 14 |
12 | Tamil | 21 |
Lt Col S D T Liyanage RWP psc took over as the Commandant for the second time on 05th June 2003 and following courses were conducted during the year 2003.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Young Officers | 23 |
2 | Basic Drivers | 133 |
3 | Gunner Operators | 28 |
4 | Tank Drivers | 37 |
5 | Clerks | 86 |
6 | Recruits | 692 |
7 | Tank Commanders / Troop Sergeants | 49 |
8 | Transport Sergeants | 09 |
9 | Logistics | 12 |
10 | Tank Transporter Drivers | 09 |
11 | BTR Drivers | 12 |
12 | Motor Transport Documentation | 19 |
13 | Signal Operators | 68 |
14 | Corporal to Sergeant Promotion | 113 |
15 | Trade Tests (Class 1) | 61 |
Maj I P Ranasinghe RWP RSP psc took over duties as the Commandant on 4th June 2004. Two separate wings, Auto and Gunnery wing were established at Trade Training School (TTS) at Trincomalee. Following courses were conducted during the year 2004.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Combat Team Commander | 13 |
2 | Young Officers | 09 |
3 | Logistics | 16 |
4 | Tank Commanders / Troop Sergeants | 43 |
5 | Tank Drivers | 23 |
6 | Gunner Operators | 56 |
7 | Recruits | 267 |
8 | BTR Drivers | 10 |
9 | Basic Drivers | 75 |
10 | Tamil | 11 |
11 | Motor Transport Documentation | 09 |
12 | SNCOs Leadership | 14 |
13 | NCOs Leadership | 39 |
14 | Tank Transport Drivers | 08 |
15 | Clerks | 43 |
16 | Corporal to Sergeant Promotion | 116 |
17 | AVLB Course | 15 |
18 | Trade Tests (Class 1) | 130 |
Lt Col A S Wijewickrama took over duties as the Commandant on 14th July 2005. Initial arrangements were made during this year to affiliate the ACTC to the Rajarata University. The courses conducted during the year 2005 are as follows.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Combat Team Commander | 10 |
2 | Tank Commanders / Troop Sergeants | 43 |
3 | Tank Drivers | 41 |
4 | Gunner Operators | 32 |
5 | BTR Drivers | 23 |
6 | Recruits | 300 |
7 | Basic Drivers | 77 |
8 | Tamil | 31 |
9 | Motor Transport Documentation | 09 |
10 | SNCOs Leadership | 23 |
11 | NCOs Leadership | 74 |
12 | Tank Transporter Drivers | 08 |
13 | Clerks | 44 |
14 | Corporal to Sergeant Promotion. | 190 |
15 | AVLB Course | 15 |
16 | Trade Tests (Class 1) | 130 |
Lt Col N M C P Wijerathne took over as the Commandant on 17th March 2006. Following courses were conducted during the year 2006.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Combat Team Commander | 13 |
2 | Young Officers Course | 10 |
3 | Recruit Training course | 353 |
4 | Tank Commanders/ Troop Sergeants | 29 |
5 | Basic Tank Drivers Course | 38 |
6 | B Vehicle Course | 57 |
7 | Gunner Operators | 47 |
8 | Clerks Course | 24 |
9 | SNCOs Leadership Course | 32 |
10 | NCOs Leadership Course | 31 |
11 | BTR Drivers Course | 08 |
12 | Logistic Course | 13 |
13 | Tamil Training Course | 10 |
14 | MT Document Course | 10 |
15 | Gunner Operators Instr Course | 11 |
16 | AVLB Course | 10 |
17 | Mech Inf Course | 05 |
18 | 551 B Tank Drivers Course | 54 |
19 | English Language Course | 15 |
20 | Cpl to Sgt Promotion Course | 156 |
21 | Class 1 Diver Course | 47 |
22 | Class 1 Operator Course | 55 |
Following courses were conducted during the year 2007.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Young Officers Course | 07 |
2 | Recruit Training course | 331 |
3 | Tank Commanders/Troop Sergeants | 21 |
4 | Basic Tank Drivers Course | 20 |
5 | B Vehicle Course | 57 |
6 | Gunner Operators | 36 |
7 | Clerks Course | 82 |
8 | SNCOs Leadership Course | 23 |
9 | NCOs Leadership Course | 13 |
10 | BTR Drivers Course | 15 |
11 | Tamil Training Course | 06 |
12 | Driver Instr Course | 09 |
12 | MT Document Course | 10 |
12 | Cpl to Sgt Promotion Course | 214 |
12 | Class 1 Diver Course | 45 |
12 | Class 1 Operator Course | 28 |
Following courses were conducted during the year 2008.
SER | COURSE | NO OF STUDENTS |
1 | Young Officers | 23 |
2 | Recruit Training course | 133 |
3 | Tank Commanders/ Troop Sergeants | 28 |
4 | Basic Tank Drivers Course | 37 |
5 | B Vehicle Course | 86 |
6 | Gunner Operators | 692 |
7 | Clerks Course | 49 |
8 | NCOs Leadership Course | 09 |
9 | BTR Drivers Course | 12 |
10 | Logistic Course | 09 |
11 | MT Document Course | 12 |
12 | Cpl to Sgt Promotion Course | 19 |
13 | T 55 Tank Driver Intensive course | 68 |
14 | T 55 Tank Gnr/Opr Intensive course | 113 |
15 | Class 1 Diver Course | 61 |
16 | Class 1 Operator Course | 36 |