8 Explosive Detection Dogs & Their Handlers Receive Proficiency Badges

A batch of 8 trained Explosive Detection Dogs (EDD) and Dog Handlers of the 14 Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) of the Army upon completion of their training received Proficiency Badges during a Passing Out ceremony held recently at the Sappers’ Cricket Stadium, Mattegoda.

Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, Colonel Commandant, SLE and Commander, Security Forces - West (SF-West) graced the occasion as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Major General Dudley Weeraman, Chief Field Engineer of the Army.

Newly-trained EDDs, together with their handlers coloured the event by staging several demonstrations and displays on the occasion attracting a roar of applause of the spectators attending the event.

After the performances of EDDs, a representative gathering of Officers and Other Rankers of 143 Chemical, Biological, Radiation and Nuclear (CBRN) Response Squadron presented a mock demonstrative operation in the event of a chemical attacks. This novel training module was perhaps rehearsed probably for the first time in the history of the Army.

In recognition of the CBRN response duties in the field, the approved CBRN identification badge was awarded to the 14 CBRN Regiment of the SLE by the Colonel Commandant of the SLE. Lieutenant Colonel Pradeepa Siriwardane, Commanding Officer, 14 CBRN Regiment, SLE accepted the badge on behalf of all Officers and Other Rankers.

14 Field Engineer Regiment was converted to be called the 14 CBRN Response Engineer Regiment a few years ago exclusively meant to manage with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and counter CBRN duties. Explosive Ordnance Disposal is the core capability upon which the countering CBRN capability can be groomed. This was the first unit in the Army capable of responding to such Chemical, Biological, Radiation and Nuclear (CBRN) threats.

14 CBRN Response Engineer Regiment is also responsible for maintenance of Explosive Detection Dogs (EDD) and conduct of training required for sustainability of the EOD Squadron.

The Chief Field Engineer, Commander, Sri Lanka Army Training Command (ARTRAC), General Officer Commanding, 57 Division, Brigade Commander, Engineer Brigade, Centre Commandant, SLE, Colonel General Staff of the Security Force Headquarters - West, Deputy Centre Commandant, SLE and officials from the National Authority for the Implementation of Chemical Weapons Conventions in Sri Lanka (NACWC), Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council members, together with Senior Officers, Officers and Other Rankers witnessed the event.