Published on - 12/11/2003
The second batch of four Officers and ninety-five Other Ranks, on completion of their Special Infantry Operational Course (SIOC), passed out in a grand ceremony held at the Palaly Air Force Grounds on 10th December 2003.
This Special Infantry Operational Course, exclusively designed to build self confidence and military competence in soldiers, was started recently under the purview of Jaffna Security Forces Commander, Major General G.S.C Fonseka RWP RSP rcds psc. Soldiers who exhibited high performance during their early infantry training courses were selected to follow this Special Infantry Course as trainees. They had to follow a strenuous training course, spanning over a period of four months, which helped them to emerge specialized in the field of soldiering in every way. One of the prime aims of conducting this special course is to inculcate the ability in each soldier to face any offensive situation with skilled individuality and self-command. Skill of good marksmanship, ability to manipulate engineering equipment in the field, knowledge of medical and first aid affairs, were also included in this course. Special Forces and Commando Training were given to all officers and other ranks in the course.
Those who excelled during training were awarded with certificates and merit prizes while each participant was offered a badge to mark his successful completion of the SIOC by the Chief Guest, Major General G.S.C Fonseka. During his address, Major General G.S.C Fonseka conferred his blessings on all who passed out and wished them victory over the enemy in all military encounters with the skill they had acquired during this special training. He further emphasized that Sri Lanka is fortunate to have a set of brave militants of this calibre who could caus ill fate to their enemy.
The ceremony saw its culmination with some fascinating events including a Parachute show, Combatant Riders' Demonstration, Band Display and various other glamorous shows.
