New Army Unit Established in Jaffna Peninsula to Boost Northern Agriculture

Under the vision of Commander of the Army to develop the Green Agriculture to support country's economy and on the assistance of Commander Security Forces Jaffna, Major General DGS Senarath Yapa RWP RSP ndu and under the supervision and guidance of the Director General Financial Management (DGFM) of the Army and the Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Army Corps of Agriculture and Livestock Major General WBSM Abeysekera RSP USP and the Director of A & L, Brigadier AK Rajapaksha RSP, 5th volunteer battalion of SLACAL raised on 22 March 2022 in Kurumbasiddy KANKESANTURAI. Lieutenant Colonel WPK Samaranayake was appointed as the 1st Commanding Officer of 5(V) SLACAL.

This battalion was established to demonstrate and execute amazing military capabilities in every field under any environmental condition and based on the current situation of the country to fulfill the country's needs.

This land is rich with Calcio red yellow latosol soil which is suitable for the cultivations. The grassy land was well cleared before the cultivation, ploughing and harrowing to remove unwanted materials from the soil. Over 200 acres were divided to carry on various projects such as moringa cultivation, cattle farming, fodder cultivation and different vegetables. The 100 acres of land divided into two margins such orchards and field crops cultivation. 50 acres of orchard land will be plant crops such as guava, mango, banana and papaya. Rest of 50 acres of land will be inter-cropping according to the seasonal changes in Jaffna peninsula. The following plants will be use for this inter- cropping. Ground nuts, cucumber, water melon, turmeric and sweet potatoes.

The farm was started to contribute the supply of agricultural product to withstand with the national demand.