Bangladesh Army Consults Its Sri Lankan Counterpart for Establishment of Own Women's Corps

A five-member military delegation of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh with the intention of consulting the Sri Lanka Army on possible raising of their own exclusive Women's Corps in the Bangladesh Army is now in Sri Lanka on a fact finding mission.

The delegation, comprised of Colonel Md Khairul Islam, Colonel Bashir Ahmed, Lieutenant Colonel Md Kamruzzaman, Major Mohammad Mahfuzul Islam and Major Mossammat Sultana Razia during their week-long stay in the country before Tuesday's (27) meeting with the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, had a few more rounds of consultations with the Director General Training, Major General W.A Wanniarachchi and Commanding Officers of the Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps and Commando Regiment.

The Commander of the Army during the interactive and cordial meeting with the delegation this afternoon (27) at the Army Headquarters briefed how routine activities, formation of units and establishment, infrastructure development, administrative structure and other requirements of a women's Corps could be organized as per the vision of the Bangladesh Army.

Bangladesh delegation pointed out the importance of raising this exclusive Women's Corps in the Bangladesh Army although it has been in the process of recruiting female soldiers to the Bangladesh Army since 2014. Empowerment of women and more of their participation in serving the nation is currently being taken up at the Army level as the Bangladesh Army is in the process of developing modalities to develop the process of recruiting more and more women under specific Units and Regiments, the Commander was told.

"Sri Lanka Army has wide experience in organizing Women's Corps for so many years and maintains an excellent record in its recruitment drive. We want to learn your modalities for training, employment in peace and war, routine activities and enrolment, etc." Head of the delegation Colonel Md Khairul Islam told the Commander of the Army.

The Bangladeshi delegation, aimed exclusively at learning modalities for founding of a Women's Corps, also expressed their overwhelming willingness to share each other’s experiences in their efforts to reach the objective and other battlefield gains.

They also discussed matters of mutual relevance to both Armies who have been maintaining excellent relations since both countries gained independence.

Towards the end of the day’s interaction, the visiting Bangladeshi delegation presented a memento to Lieutenant General Senanayake who reciprocated the token of goodwill.

The five-member delegation during their visit to the Army Headquarters on Monday (26) also received a comprehensive briefing from Major Chathurika Bombuwala, Commanding Officer, 7 SLAWC in the presence of Major General Duddly Weeraman, Colonel Commandant, SLAWC, Major General Aruna Wanniarchchi, Director General Training and a few Senior Officers of the Army Headquarters.

The brief presentation educated the visitors on ‘History of the SLAWC’, ‘Deployment’, ‘Training’, Recruiting, ‘Achievements’, ‘Humanitarian Operations’, ‘Challenges faced by Woman Soldiers’, etc.

The visiting delegation also had an educative tour to the Commando Regimental Headquarters in Ganemulla where they witnessed a demonstration and received a briefing on training activities and modules in relation to VVIP & VVP duties of woman soldiers.

The Bangladesh Army delegation is expected to visit 7 SLAWC Headquarters in Jaffna and the Security Force Headquarters - Jaffna before their departure.