At the commencement of the period on account of the shortage of technical officers in the regiment the post of managing officers was held by the officers of other regiments. In the year 1968 the post of adjutant was created while Lieutenant AK Sooriyabandara CEME was appointed as the first adjutant in the year 1969.
With the new turn of events in Sri Lanka's political arena the United Front Government won the election and elected to power. The new government adopted a policy of a closed economic system deviating from the former mixed economy of the previous government. Due to the excessive import duties levied on imported goods and articles an immediately restriction on imports became imperative. The economic policy of the government was focused an assisting the production of local goods, while domestic agriculture and local industries received government sponsorship. The import of luxury goods from foreign countries was almost limited. An acute shortage of goods was thereby created throughout the country. Domestic production was virtually limited to food items. Troops of the CEME unit extended their maximum support to the government in an effort to counter the Hartal Movement. Illegal propaganda, vandalism, sabotage etc. which took place at various intervals, were prohibited. The People's Liberation Front (JVP) took measures to create an internal civil rebellion in the year 1971 with the intention of seizing power. During the internal rebellion of the J.V.P the civil administration was virtually crippled while the transport services were brought to a complete halt. As a result of the breakdown of the entire transport mechanism the CEME was cast with the responsibility of maintaining transport services with a view to coordinate essential services. On account of these measures the train and bus services were handled by soldiers of CEME who performed an exemplary service to the nation.
Moreover the security in the Ambepussa area as well as the Warakapola bridge on the Colombo-Kandy main road considered volatile areas were effectively covered by the CEME Regiment. In this exercise Capt Munasinghe CEME, Lieutenant Pathiraja CEME and Lieutenant Bonifas Fernando CEME had performed their duties as platoon commanders from time to time. On 5th April 1971 J.V.P leader Rohana Wijeweera and Luku Athula ordered their membership to attack all government institutions and take over their authority and positions. On the orders conveyed by the leadership on this particular day a number of police stations were attacked, while a number of police officers abandoned their duties and left police stations. Moreover a contingent of at least 500 J.V.P members who attempted to attack the Jaffna prison and set the prisoners free, resulted in a complete failure, while Somasiri who gave leadership to the attack was taken into custody. The government under this situation decided to reinforce the army with additional platoons and armaments. As a result, of this measure the army's armoured corps was given sophisticated armoured vehicles in place of weapons and armoured tanks traditionally in use at that time. As a result, the CEME tradesmen were accordingly increased in number making maintenance of the modernized armoured tanks much more easier. The Light Aid Detachment(LAD) which was stationed in modara area up to this time was improved and converted to the 100 CEME Armoured Workshop. Meanwhile the soldiers stationed at the Mannar workshop converted a tipper truck into an armoured vehicle in the year 1971.
Sri Lanka became a republic in the year 1972 which was a significant event, in the history of the country. The British queens crown (Regalia) which adored every state symbol up to this time was replaced by the 'Dharmachakraya' symbol instead. Even in the CEME emblem the Royal crown which was ceremoniously marked was replaced with the 'Dharmachakraya'. Henceforth the regiment commonly identified earlier as CEME began to be better known as SLEME (Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers). The SLEME was capable of winning the inter-Regimental soccer championship in the year 1973. The reason for this victory was mostly due to the skills displayed in the tournament by Pte Anthony Seaman, Cfn Dullewa and Cfn Karunarathne.
The SLEME Benevolent Fund which was introduced on 18th May 1973 was inaugurated By Lieutenant Colonel AAW Perera who had previously served as commanding officer. At the commencement the subscription deducted from a single member was Rs. 5 per month while the total membership collected totaled Rs.1830.00 by the month of May 1973. Loans granted at the beginning were Rs.50.00 per member while an average interest collection of Rs. 100 was recorded.
A SLEME platoon had taken part in the national parade organized to celebrate the occasion of Sri Lanka becoming a Republic in 1972. Meanwhile in 1974 a two storied, new building was constructed to house the Warrant Officers and Sergeant's Mess which hitherto was accommodated in a semi permanent building. In this manner the Warrant Officers and Sergeant Mess was officially declared open by Llieutenant General S.D. Attigala on 14th February 1975.
In the year 1977 the water supply to a number of areas was interrupted due to sabotage and vandalism carried out by a group of persons who willfully disconnected the power supply to the Ambatale water pumping station and also internally drained off the water from the pumps leading from the Kelani river to the pump station by loosing nuts & bolts of lead pumps.
A team of persons including Capt G.J. Perera was deployed to restore the water supply. The team of workmen engaged in the restorations was capable of bringing the situation to its original position within a few days and commenced the supply of water to all affected areas. This team of workman won the administration of all persons who were badly affected due to the non-supply of water. Moreover the media highly commended the staff and team of workers for their prompt handling of the crisis situation.
Hon President of the Democratic and Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka J.R. Jayawardene inspected the Colombo Base Workshop including the Camp in April 1979. The EME School which was located in the SLEME Main Base Workshop about the year 1980 was subsequently shifted to the Malay Street camp. The School was administered by the SLEME Regiment while trade courses were conducted and trade tests held from the commencement. Almost 25 soldiers representing SLEME Volunteer group were recruited to perform administrative functions under the supervision of Commanding officer of the SLEME-Regiment. The first Soldier recruited to SLEME unit was S/00002 Cfn Sri Nayaka Banda SNM. 2nd Lieutenant Sathkumara MMN has gone down in history as the first officer to be enrolled on 6th November 1980. Soldiers of the regular force and soldiers of the volunteer force worked together in various areas in the country's workshops performing EME duties. The technical services performed by the EME Workshops were expanded further in the year 1980 by introducing a number of new sections. The repair and maintenance duties performed by workshops were further increased converting them into chief workshops.
The existing regimental Headquarters building was earlier used as the Officers'Mess. But under the guidance of Lieutenant Colonel LDEC Waidyarathna PSC who was the commanding officer in 1981 together with the co-ordination of all other officers', a new Officers' Mess was constructed in a property in close proximity to the Beire Lake. The building was officially declared open on the 23rd of July 1981. The army has contributed sum of Rs.25,000.00 for the construction of this building, while most of the work was carried out with the potential and eagerness of the officials themselves.
