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Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps

Sua Tela Tonati

Central Arms and Ammunition Depot

Central Arms and Ammunition Depot

Headquarters Office Building


Ammunation Depots


Ammunation Depots


As there was lack of space for proper storage of Arms and Ammunition, the Central Arms Depot was established at the premises of SLE Regt, Panagoda, 10 store houses at Dombagoda and 2 store houses in RHQ SLSR at Ambepussa were constructed to store the Ammunition. Further underground and on-ground dumps were obtained from the Government Ammunition depot in Welisara to store Ammunition and Explosive.

On Ground Dumps


Underground Dumps


Since the needs for Arms and Ammunition were increased due to the war, an Ordnance Factory was established in Dombagoda. This facilitated to produce mortar and mortar bombs for the use of the Army. The 'Kempia' Motar and their bombs are one of the product of this factory.

Then Lt Col DSG Kempitiya USP ato - SLAOC and then Lt Col K Piyasoma SLEME were the pioneers of the produced a gun called K-8 (Kempia) at the Ordnance Factory in Dombagoda. Later both of them were promoted to the rank of Brigadier. Brigadier DSG Kempitiya passed away after his retirement and Brigadier K Piyasoma SLEME is now retired.

Kempia Mortar Launcher 198 mm K 8 (Single Barrel)


Kempia Mortar Launcher 99 mm K 4 (5 Barrels)


A unit was established to refill ammunitions, both small Arms ammunitions and heavy weapon ammunitions, at the Central Arms and Ammunitions Depot (Kosgama) with 1 x 12 disabled Officer/soldiers during the period when Major DSA Dehiwatte ato was serving as the Commandant. Refilled ammunitions were used in annual firing meets. Two 550 RLB machines made in USA have been given for this task and helped refilling of up to 800-1000 rounds per day.

For training sessions, 9mm, 23 mm, 38 mm, 45 mm and 12 bore ammunitions are being refilled and 20,000 and 18,500 rounds have been refilled for training purpose in the years 2013, 2014 respectively.This unit also performs repairment of corroded ammunitions and mortar bombs and also the refilling and repairment of 25 mm pounder ammunitions for guard of honors.

A course on refilling of Ammunition commenced on 30 October 2003 and this initiative still continues as a project. Some of the training Ammunition needed for the Army are refilled through this project. Ammunition repair workshop has also been established. Arty Ammo and type of Motar Bombs were repaired with the help of a group of experts of the Ordnance Factory of Pakistan.

Forward Ordnance depots were established in the following units/locations to issue Arms, Ammunition and Explosive to operational requirements.

  • 2 SLAOC
  • 3 SLAOC
  • 5 SLAOC
  • Ammunition Depot (Welisara)
  • Ammunition Depot (Boyagane)
  • Ammunition Depot (Ambepussa)
  • Ammunition Depot (Puttalam)

FORWARD DILIVERY OF AMMUNITION

Computerizing of weapon numbers released to units started on 20 September 2010. Stock reports were obtained from the each estbs on 01 December 2010 which indicated more than 130,000 discrepancies. They were divided into 13 categories and were resolved under the supervision of Col HL Guruge AATO.

As a result of a discussion held between Col HL Guruge AATO and Mr. HAS Smaraweera, then acting Auditor General, Auditor General Department on 07.10.2010, a group of 8 auditors reported to the Kosgama Camp for the first ever physical stocks inspection of Arms and Ammunition.

With the end of three decades long war, it was felt that inadequacy of space at the stores complex of the Kosgama Camp to store the excess Ammunition and Explosive. Therefore, it was decided to establish the Central Arms and Ammunition Depot at Veyangoda Camp on 28 February 2011 in accordance with proper storing regulations.

The newly renovated Central Arms and Ammunition Depot- Veyangoda was declared open by then Commandant Col HL Guruge AATO on 07.03.2011. Then Colonel JADP Jayathilaka USP ato assumed duties as the Commandant of the Central Arms & Ammunition Depot-Veyangoda on 01 Aug 2011. The Ammunition were shifted from the Kosgama Camp to Veyangoda and stored as per the storing regulations.

Role and Tasks of the Centtral Arms and Ammunition Depot

ROLE

To provide effective and efficient Ord supply of Arms/ Ammo to all dependent Ord estbs/ local units whilst ensuring responsibility/ accountability and professional/ modern technological/ user friendly approach in all Ord functions.

TASKS

  • Advise all estbs in Sri Lanka Army on all matters/ functions relevant to Arms & Ammo.
  • Receipt, inspection, storage, accounting, maintenance, fwd delivery/issue, repair & recovery, proof testing and disposal of all types of Arms, Ammo to dependent Ord estbs/local units as per relevant AHQ instrs and also ensure smooth functioning of Automated Wpn/Ammo Management System.
  • Vetting and scrutinizing of all types of Arms, Ammo received both from local & overseas to ensure acceptable quality standards and productive Ord supply system.
  • Ensure Proper accounting & maintenance of sufficient stock reserves of all types of Arms, Ammo as directed by AHQ
  • Conduct of Ammo insps in all dependent military estbs as reqd and submission/review progress of such insp reports to Dte of Ops/Dte of Ord Svcs/ dependent units in time.
  • Carrying out of refilling of ammunition reqd for competitive shooting as dir by Dte of Ops AHQ.
  • Publication/updating of the price index for all types of Arms, Ammo annually.
  • Conduct of special to Arm trg incl on the job trg for all Ord functions in Arms & Ammo for all Ord personnel under command to ensure a high level of technical competence among them.
  • Conduct of trg activities (Lectures/Seminars etc) to educate dependant tps on proper storage, care & preservation of Arms/Ammo.
  • Carrying out of all activities in entire procurement cycle for Ord stores for which funds allocated by Dte of Ord Svcs as per laid down procurement procedures whilst ensuring 'value for money and proper financial management
  • Commandants of CAAD

    S/N Rank Name From To
    01. Lt Col RL Sooriyaarchchi AATO 23.03.1992 20.06.1994
    02. Lt Col LB Aluvihare AATO 20-06-1994 05.07.1995
    03. Lt Col RR Ramanayake ato 05.07.1995 19.09.1995
    04. Col LB Aluvihare AATO 19.09.1995 10.03.1997
    05. Maj HGI Vidyananda AATO 10.03.1997 13.02.1998
    06. Lt Col RR Ramanayake ato 13.02.1998 18.05.1998
    07. Maj HGI Vidyananda AATO 18.05.1998 04.12.1998
    08. Maj SDK Wijesekara ato 04.12.1998 06.02.1999
    09. Col CJ Kottahacchchi AATO 06.02.1999 15.04.1999
    10. Lt Col RV Udawatta psc ato 15.04.1999 20.04.2000
    11. Maj SDK Wijesekara psc ato 20.04.2000 01.07.2003
    12. Lt Col SDK Wijesekara psc ato 01.07.2003 18.08.2003
    13. Maj DSA Dehiwatta ato 18.08.2003 25.02.2004
    14. Maj NAWP Perera ato 25.02.2004 20.04.2004
    15. Maj DSA Dehiwatta ato 20.04.2004 23.11.2004
    16. Maj DSA Dehiwatta ato 23.11.2004 15.07.2005
    17. Maj BAN Denial 15.07.2005 23.07.2005
    18. Col CRS Fernando AATO 23.07.2005 30.08.2007
    19. Lt Col JADP Jayatilake ato 30.08.2007 26.05.2008
    20. Lt Col WAPM Wijesinghe RSP AATO 26.05.2008 05.10.2009
    21. Col HL Guruge AATO 05.10.2009 01.08.2011
    22. Col JADP Jayatilake ato 01.08.2011 18.08.2014
    23. Brig WAPM Wijesinghe RSP AATO 18.08.2014 05.07.2018
    24. Brig MEP Weerasinghe USP ato 05.07.2018 24.12.2019
    25. Lt Col KMAWK Perera AATO 24.12.2019 30.03.2020
    26. Brig GKI Vithanachchi ato 30.03.2020 07.07.2021
    27. Col RAPAB Dissanayake AATO 08.07.2021 21.12.2022
    28. Col KPNSK Kariyawasam Lsc AATO 22.12.2022 15.01.2024
    29. Lt Col CD Samarathunga (Over Looking) 16.01.2024 09.02.2024
    30. Col MAV Gunarathna USP ato 01.03.2024 Up to Date