School of Ordnance

At the end of 1990, LTTE terrorists produced a mortar launcher called "Pasilan 2000" and used it against the Sri Lanka Army. This weapon was able to deliver a 50 kg explosive to a distance of 500m. Terrorists attacked Mullaitivu, Silawathura and Karainagar Naval Camps using this weapon.

In order to repulse these attacks, then commander of the 2 Div Major General DL Kobbekaduwa RWP RSP VSV USP rcds psc entrusted his officers with the task of finding the possibility of producing a new weapon that could curtail and bring damage to the enemy. Consequently, a mortar launcher of 8 inches diameter fixed to a 8 meter long tractor trailer and a bomb of 15 kg in weight that could be delivered to a range of 800m was produced by Lt Col DSG Kempitiya ato (Deceased Brigadier DSG Kempitiya USP ato) and Commanding Officer of the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Lt Col Piyasoma (Retired). In order to honour the officers who produced the mortar launcher and the bomb, the mortar bomb was named as "KEMPIYA" by joining the first letters of the surnames of those two officers.

As a result of these researches, the first Ordnance Factory was established by then Lt Col DSG Kempitiya USP ato on 12th June 1992 with staff headed by Capt HL Guruge, 1 Warrant Officer, 5 NCOs and 9 soldiers. At final stage the following weapons and bombs were produced in the Ordnance Factory.

a. 198 mm K8 Mortar launcher - 4 Nos
b. 99 mm K4 Mortar (5 barrels) - 1 No

This was a landmark achievement in the history of the Sri Lanka Army as this was the first instance guns and Ammunition were locally produced A heavy weapon K8 (Kempiya) its bombs were produced using modern electronic technology. Furthermore, the 'Trip flairs' project was the most successful project among the many projects undertaken by the Ordnance Factory. The Factory has gained a tremendous recondition and had inspected by several Army Commanders in a number of occasions. Even today, the weapons stand majestically in front of the Regimental Center symbolizing grandeur and heritage.

The first Officer Commanding of the camp was Captain HL Guruge. Since then, the camp has been under the Command of 4 Officer Commanding and had been commanded by a Commanding Officer from 16th January 1997.The first Commanding Officer was Major TMSHB Madugalle (Retired Lt Col). Since then, the camp was under the Command of three Commanding Officers and from 1st June 1999 the institutional head was renamed as the school commandant. The first Commandant was Lt Col NB Nikahetiya ato SLAOC (Retired Colonel). To date, School of Ordnance and Factory has been headed by a Commandant.

Ordnance School was established in the Panagoda Cantonment by the Commander of the 1 Division Major General JRS De Silva(Retired) the invitation of Lt Col JPA Jayawardene (Retired Brigadier) in 1991. Later, the Sch of Ord was relocated at the Dombagoda factory premises on 20th May 1995.

Ordnances School has a proud history of 18 years of excellent service and stands among one of the best Army Training Schools. The Ordnance School has a fully fledged professional training centre offering courses on QMs, RQMSs, Ammo Storemen, Storemen, Tailoring, and also Recruits training. In addition to this, they also contribute for the leadership training course offered to university entrants.

Commanding Officers Of Sch Of Ord

Commandants Of Sch Of Ord