23rd February 2020 12:51:08 Hours
The Instructor Team of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers on the invitation of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) presently serving the Maldives has successfully concluded the Bomb and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Training (BIEDDT) Course generating basic knowledge on advanced Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) and to Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Operators of the MNDF troops in order to build emergency bomb disposal capabilities and operational responses in any eventuality.
The student participants in the course constituted with representing various services of MNDF. The graduation ceremony of the BIEDDT Advanced Course followed by officers and Other Ranks of all services was held on 16 February 2020, marking the end of the training mission. Lieutenant Abdulla Shahid of Coastal Guard excelled in the course and emerged as the first in order of merit.
The Commander Engineer Brigade Brigadier Nihal Amarasekera attended the graduation ceremony as the Guest of Honour and awarded the certificates and pinned the advanced EOD badges for the students qualified in the course. The moment became historical with the introduction of advanced bomb disposal insignia for MNDF for the first time.
Brigadier Nihal Amarasekera during his keynote address greatly appreciated the training opportunity, extended to the Sri Lanka Army and extended his profound gratitude on behalf of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, acting Chief of Defence Staff & Commander of the Army and the Colonel Commandant Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers and the Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) Major General Jagath Gunawardena to the Republic of Maldives and the Chief of the Defence Force Major General Abdhulla Shammal for invaluable assistance rendered during training.
The Chief of Defence Force awarded commendation letters to the Sri Lankan Instructor Team for their untiring efforts to train MNDF personnel whilst conducting both basic and advanced Bomb and IEDD training courses in Maldives for over four months and thirteen days.
The graduation ceremony at MNDF Integrated Headquarters at Bandaara Koshi, was also graced by the Chief of Defence Force Major General Abdhulla Shammal, the Vice Chief of Defence Force Brigadier General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, Brigadier General Wais Waheed Commanding Officer CDSS, Principal Directors, all Service Commanders, Senior Officers of MNDF, Officers, Warrant Officers, Senior NCOs, NCOs and a large gathering of Other Ranks of the MNDF.
The basic and advanced Bomb and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Training Courses were designed to train MNDF Officers and Soldiers on handling mines, explosives and accessories, to conduct demolitions, disposal of bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), destruction of arms and ammunition, EOD and UXOs enabling students to undertake any demolition or disposal task as a technically and tactically qualified basic and advanced EOD and IEDD handlers.
The basic and advanced EOD and IEDD techniques tactics and procedures (TTPs) were imparted during two comprehensive training modules designed by the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers Instructor Team. The basic BIEDDT course was held from 16 October 2019 to 19 December 2019 with the participation of 35 students whilst twenty one students attended the advanced BIEDDT course which was conducted from 5 January 2020 to 16 February 2020.
The exercise code-named Exercise-DHE MAKARU, the final field training exercise was held from 9 February to 14 February 2020 in order to test the BIEDDT Advanced Course students on planning and executing IEDD Operations and to evaluate their individual skills and competencies. This marked the termination of all training events. The exercise conducted at Hulhule, Hulhumale and Male areas with assistance of essential stakeholders included disposal of Bombs and IEDS.
The two training modules were supervised and coordinated under HQ Engineer Brigade and the ten member Instructor Team is headed by Lieutenant Colonel Chandana Wickramanayake as the Head of the Training Team. In addition, the instructor team included Major Krishantha Pussewela, Major Priyantha Kodithuwakku, Major Janaka Gunawardena, Captain Panchal Gunasekara, Warrant Officer I K.M Weerarathne, Warrant Officer II M.M Samantha Bandara, Warrant Officer II V.P.R.N Kumarasiri, Staff Sergeant H.M.S.P.K Karunarathne and Corporal H.G.C Nishantha from Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers. Running sport media | Sneakers
