Special Forces (SF), combat divers of the Army who introduced the first Diving Training Course to the Army, following daring experiences they have had in Nanthikadal lagoon during humanitarian operations, recently held their first formal Passing out Parade for newly-trained divers in a colourful event at 2 SF Headquarters at Nayaru, Mullaittivu.
Major General Sumedha Perera, Colonel of the Regiment, SF and Director General General Staff as the Chief Guest, witnessed the Passing out Parade which consisted of 21 students who underwent a strenuous and gruelling 12-week long first combat Diving Course in the Army.
Affiliated with the SF Training School, the training curriculum in the Diving Course as a force multiplier of elite combat divers of the SF whose past experiences as ‘underwater warriors’ in the Nanthikadal, Nayaru lagoons, are well known, included Physical fitness Training, Learning of Diving history, Introduction to diving equipment and maintenance, Knowledge on dangerous sea creatures, floating techniques, swimming strokes/combat swimming, breath holds diving, Diving physics, Diving medicine, Diving signal, Diving operations, surface and sub-surface waterborne infiltration methods, etc.
The first batch of SF soldiers during this first ever introductory diving course, trained by 12 instructors, received their badges of proficiency from the Chief Guest Major General Sumedha Perera and displayed their skills and adventures before the gathering.
SF underwater fighters during the final years of the war for peace had to navigate under the waves in Mullaittivu to facilitate the conduct of Army humanitarian operations at the risk of lives since the terrorists were engaged in setting up submarines, explosive devices, booby traps, etc inside lagoons and different lakes and so on.
Using the Nayaru lagoon area as the venue for the Combat Diving School of the SF, the SF Regimental Headquarters expects to recruit another batch of SF soldiers to the proposed 2nd Diving Course shortly.
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