SRI LANKA ARMY WOMEN’S CORPS PRODUCED GROUP OF WOMEN DE-MINERS FOR THE 1ST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF SRI LANKA ARMY

The certificate awarding ceremony of the 1st ever Sri Lanka Army produced women deminers was held at the Army Headquarters on 08th September 2022, with the grace of Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu , Commander of the Army, as the Chief Guest.

The Commander of the Army on arrival at the venue was welcomed by Major General WMGSB Wijayasundara RSP USP ndu, Commander , Security Forces-Jaffna, and the Chief Field Engineer , Major General MK Jayawardhana RSP USP ndu. After the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, a short video clip that showcased the progress of humanitarian demining projects,etc,was screened.

By extracting significance to this demining role in Sri Lanka Army was initiated to train women soldiers in the demining for 1st time in history of Sri Lanka Army. This programme , conducted under the close supervision of the Chief Field Engineer, Major General MK Jayawardhana RSP USP ndu with the direction of the Commander of the Army’s Way Forward Strategy 2020-2025.

This effective programme was initiated for two women batches total of 03 Lady Officers and 51 Other Ranks. As the motto of the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps, ‘The Powerful Mind is the Strongest Weapon’ they went on tuuf, highly mental and physical coordinated and utilized demining training programme for three months.

The 01st Course of Sri Lanka Army women deminers training was conducted in Engineers’ Brigade Headquarters in Boo Oya on 30 December 2021 and the Second Course commenced on 06 June 2022 at the 10 Field Engineers HQ in Miladdy, JAFFNA.

Women deminers started their day before the 1st light, and training included physical training , lectures, practical sessions etc, with mine handling technologies in universal standards. Well phased programmes were conducted by Sri Lanka Army Combat Engineer experts handled and converted these soft hands, skillful, and robust, to hold life with a decision to operate mines. These cheerful women deminers can now handle humanitarian demining anywhere in the world.

During the event, the Commander of the Army appreciated this knowledge. Moreover , it sharpened skillful young women soldiers for their future commitment and contribution to their future endeavors as humanitarian deminers locally or overseas.