04th October 2022 12:50:35 Hours
The Inter Regiment Practical Rifle and Combat Shooting Meet-2022, organized by the Army Small Arms Association (ASAA), together with the Marksmanship and Sniper Training School (MSTS) at Diyatalawa, more popularly known as the ‘Home of Snipers’ drew to a close this afternoon (30) where Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army graced as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Major General WTWG Ihalage RWP RSP psc, Chairman, ASAA.
The annual Meet that expects to expand the field of rifle shooting to be on par with international standards was competed by 400 plus shooters under three categories as Open, Service Regiments and Novices, representative of all Regiments. The open category Combat Shooting Meet Championship was won by the Gemunu Watch. Runners up were the shooters of the Gajaba Regiment (2nd place) and Commando Regiment (3rd place).
In the Combat Shooting Meet novices’ category, the Championship was secured by Gemunu Watch shooters and runners-up slots were respectively snatched by Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment and Commando Regiment shooters.
The Championship in the Combat Shooting Meet Service Regiments category was won by the shooters in the Sri Lanka Corps Military Police pushing Sri Lanka Army Service Corps shooters and Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Shooters to be the 2nd and 3rd runners up respectively.
However, Gemunu Watch shooters in the Practical Rifle Shooting Meet (open category) pushing Gajaba Regiment and Commando Regiment shooters respectively to the 2nd and 3rd runners up places emerged as winners. In the novices’ category, the 1st place was earned by Gemunu Watch shooters too while the Gajaba Regiment and Commando Regiment troops were adjudged as the 2nd and 3rd runners up. Similarly, in the Practical Meet Service Regiment category, the Championship was won by shooters of the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps while the Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police shooters and Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers shooters were pushed to the 2nd and 3rd places respectively.
Warrant Officer II Bannahake BMRR of Commando Regiment was adjudged the Best Shooter in the Combat Meet open category, Lance Corporal Rathnayake RAGK of Gemunu Watch the Best Shooter in the Combat Meet Novices’ category and the Warrant Officer II Manchanayaka SPDS of Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police was declared the Best Shooter in the Combat Meet Service Regiment category.
Similarly, Warrant Officer I WPN Dammika of Gemunu Watch was the Best Shooter in the Practical Rifle Meet Open category while Private Jayasinge WGUL of Gajaba Regiment and Staff Sergeant Priyantha Kumara GG of Sri Lanka Army Service Corps declared the Best Shooter in the category of Practical Rifle Meet Novices and Service Regiment respectively.
The day's awarding ceremony got to a start soon after the Chief Guest arrived at the Field Firing Range, Diyatalawa to be received by Major General WTWG Ihalage RWP RSP psc, Chairman of ASAA. Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army at first was invited to witness a demonstration of combat shooting skills in the firing range, presented by those competing regimental teams at the outset.
As the day's climax, the awarding ceremony began, Major General WTWG Ihalage RWP RSP psc Chairman Army Small Arms Association delivered the welcome speech and briefed the attendees on the day's importance and how the tournament was organized and conducted with much enthusiasm. Trophies, medals, and certificates were then awarded to the winners and achievers in the Competition-2022. The day's Chief Guest after greeting the achievers, presented awards. Several Senior Officers, including Major General TJ Kodithuwakku RWP RSP ndu, Chief of Staff, Major General MKS Silva RWP RSP ndu, Commander Security Forces - Central and Major General WASS Wanasinghe RSP USP ndu Commander Security Force Headquarters Mullaitivu followed suit afterwards.
Brigadier WP Kariyawasam of Sri Lanka Armoud Corps received trophies and certificates under Brigadier and Major General ranks category in the Inter Regiment Practical firing competition.
Likewise, Brigadier KMV Kodithuwakku of Gamunu Watch was adjudged Best Shooter of Inter Regiment Combat Firing Meet 2022 Brigadier and Major General Ranks Category and received award and certificate. Major RADA Ranasingha RWP psc, Secretary to the ASAA raised the vote of thanks and entertaining features coloured the day's proceedings.
Senior officers including Major General TJ Kodithuwakku RWP RSP ndu Chief of Staff, Major General MKS Silva RWP RSP ndu, Commander Security Force Headquarters Central and Major General WASS Wanasinghe RSP USP ndu Commander Security Force Headquarters Mullaitivu, Brigadier JMSGB Jayamaha RWP RSP USP, Commandant MSTS and Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks participated in the day's awarding event.
Participants in the entire Meet completed the 9 km run, firing of 10 rounds in the 300 m range, firing of 20 rounds in the 200 m range, firing of 10 rounds in 100 m range and firing of 10 rounds in the 50 m range before they become qualified to enter final rounds. The ‘Inter Regiment Practical Rifle and Combat Shooting Competition-2022’ is conducted in order to improve shooting skills, comradeship among all ranks in battalions, and aimed at selecting suitable performers for local and international competitions through the Army Small Arms Association (ASAA).
Brief result sheet is as follows;
The Inter Regiment Combat Shooting Meet - 2022
1. Open Category
a. Gemunu Watch - Championship
b. Gajaba Regiment - 1st Runner-up
c. Commando Regiment - 2nd Runner-up
2. Novices Category
a. Gemunu Watch - Championship
b. Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment - 1st Runner-up
c. Commando Regiment - 2nd Runner-up
3. Service Regiment Category
a. Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police - Championship
b. Sri Lanka Army Service Corps - 1st Runner-up
c. Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - 2nd Runner-up
4. Best Shooter (Open Category) - Warrant Officer II Bannahake BMRR (CR)
5. Best Shooter (Novices Category) - Lance Corporal Rathnayake RAGK (GW)
6. Best Shooter (Service Regiment Category) - Warrant Officer II Manchanayake SPDS (SLCMP)
The Inter Regiment Practical Rifle Meet-2022
1. Open Category
a. Gemunu Watch - Championship
b. Gajaba Regiment - 1st Runner-up
c. Commando Regiment - 2nd Runner-up
2. Novices Category
a. Gemunu Watch - Championship
b. Gajaba Regiment - 1st Runner-up
c. Commando Regiment - 2nd Runner-up
3. Service Regiment Category
a. Sri Lanka Army Service Corps - Championship
b. Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police - 1st Runner-up
c. Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - 2nd Runner-up
4. Best Shooter (Open Category) - Warrant Officer I WPN Dammika (GW)
5. Best Shooter (Novices Category) - Private Jayasinghe WGUL (GR)
6. Best Shooter (Service Regiment Category) - Staff Sergeant Priyantha Kumara GG (SLASC)
