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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

30th January 2022 00:25:47 Hours

Commander at MSTS Underlines the Need to Groom Soldiers as Well-Disciplined Shooters

The Inter Regiment Combat Shooting Competition-2021, organized by the Army’s state-of-the-art Marksmanship and Sniper Training School (MSTS) at Diyatalawa, more popularly known as the ‘Home of Snipers’ drew to a close this afternoon (29) after an eventiful awarding ceremony, for which General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army graced as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Brigadier Vipula Ihalage, Commandant, MSTS and Chairman, Army Small Arms Association (ASAA).

The Competition-2021, organized under three categories as Open, Service Regiments and Novices, to be in line with the Army ‘Way Forward Strategy 2020 - 2025’ and competed by 340 plus competitors of all Regiments offered the Championship in the open category to Gajaba Regiment shooters, pushing Gemunu Watch and Commando Regiment shooters to be 2nd and 3rd runners up respectively. 34 teams in the Open, Service Regiments and Novices categories including one women’s team vied in the tournament that kicked off last Sunday (16) and continued till Saturday (29).

The Championship in service regiments was meanwhile won by the shooters in the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps pushing Sri Lanka Corps Military Police shooters to 2nd place. In the Novices category, the Championship was won by Gemunu Watch shooters and runners up slots were respectively secured by Gajaba Regiment and Commando Regiment shooters.

The day's awarding ceremony got to a start soon after the day's Chief Guest arrived at the MSTS to be received by Major General Vikum Liyanage, Chief of Staff, Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Deputy Chief of Staff, togther with Brigadier Vipula Ihalage, Commandant MSTS. General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and 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.

As the day's climax, the awarding ceremony began, Brigadier Vipula Ihalage, Commandant MSTS and 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-2021. The day's Chief Guest after greeting the achievers then presented awards and several Senior Officers, including the Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff and Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force followed suit afterwards.

Coporal J.A.I. P Jayalath of Vijayahahu Infantry Regiment was adjudged the Best Shooter in the Open category, Captain P.A.D.U.L Arachchige of the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps, the Best Shooter in the Service Regiment Category and Corporal J.C.N Weerasinghe of the Commando Regiment in the Novices category. The overall Championship in the Open category was won by shooters in the Gajaba Regiment.

Similarly, Major General Mahesh Abeyrathna, Major General Samantha Silva, Brigadier G.G. A Gunasekara and Brigadier A.C.A Silva received trophies and certificates under Brigaider and Major General ranks category in the firing Competition.

Likewise, Brigadier J.M.S.G.M Jayamaha, Brigadier D.P Welagedara and Brigadier R.P Munipura under the same above category were adjudged Best Shooters and received awards and certificates.

During a brief specch to the occasion, General Shavendra Silva highlighted that the integral components, essential for ‘soldiering’ are the ‘discipline’ and ‘commitment’ which overlap with the physical and mental toughness of the soldier, with which he would be all the time prepared to undertake combat firing when the need necessitates which also in turn qualifies him to be a full-fledged military man. "The Sri Lanka Army as the most formidable task force that could challenge any type of challenge in any challenging milieu maintains that if a soldier fails to qualify with his weapon, he would not be allowed to carry or shoot any weapon at all. Hence, sustained live-fire training exercises should simultaneously continue unabated while sharpening self-discipline further and commitment, corresponding to the prioritized security roles in his career.

Major A. Ranasingha, Secretary to the ASAA raised the vote of thanks and entertaining features coloured the day's proceedings.

Senior officers including Major General Vikum Liyanage, Chief of Staff, Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Channa Weerasuriya, Commandant Sri Lanka Volunteer Force, attended the day's main spectacle.

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 ‘Combat Firing Competition 2021’ 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).