Published on - 6/14/2004
Initial briefing related to training sessions of the first-ever mega Multinational Platoon Exercise-3, (MPE-3) \"Sama Gamana\" at Kukuleganga started off early this morning (13 June 2004) with specific training Lanes assigned to respective countries, namely the USA (Lane 1), Nepal (Lane 2), Bangladesh (Lane 3), Mongolia (Lane 5) and Sri Lanka (Lanes 4 & 6).
Foreign training Instructors, led by Lt. Col John O Derick, (retd) Senior Training Adviser for UN missions in the company of seven UN observers from Hungary, Croatia, Uruguay and a few other countries moved into specific lane areas to induct the initial training phases that included conduct of checkpoints, search of persons and vehicles, observation posts, disposition of weapons, identification of improvised explosives, convoy operations, Day and Night security patrols, civil disturbances, reactions to media, etc.
The MPE-3 is designed to enhance understanding and readiness of participant nations in the areas of planning and executing Peace Support Operations anywhere in the world. This training concept introduced thanks to an initiative taken by Lt. Gen L. P Balagalle, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, is also expected to attract more youth to the Armed Forces in Sri Lanka.
The first week (June 13-21) of their training is devoted largely to theoretical presentations and discussion sessions delivered by Lane Trainers, Sergeant Bush James (USA), Captains A. Balijinnyam and Amit Pun (Mongolia), Major Munir Alim (Bangladesh), Captain Sunil Adhikari (Nepal), Lt Colonel Wanniarachchi, Major Dunuwila, Major Gamage, Major Bohoran, Major J. J. Mohotti and Major W. A. M Weerasuriya from Sri Lanka.
Two platoons (68) from the Sri Lanka Army are undergoing this training for the first time in its history after the UN has consented to give this training to Sri Lankan soldiers. The MPE-3, third of its kind, first one in Nepal (2000) and the second in Bangladesh (2002), as in previous instances, is co-hosted by US Army Pacific Command and the Sri Lanka Army under the auspices of the United Nations. Forty five troops, including lady Officers and soldiers from each country during their stay at Kukuleganga Institute of Peace Support Operation Training, Sri Lanka (IPSOTSL) will conduct training in one Lane for a day and shift to another Lane on the next day as per a rotation plan in effect.
As mentioned earlier, Crawl and Walk phase is to be covered during MPE-3's first week before trainees move into the Run Phase, popularly known as the Situational Training Exercise towards the final lap of the training programme.Thirty-one most common UN tasks are to be taught during this MPE-3.
The mammoth exercise of this magnitude with more than 300 soldiers was organized in Sri Lanka for the first time under the close supervision of the Army's Director General, General Staff Major Gen Parami Kulathunga, Director Training, Brigadier Srinath Rajapakse, Exercise Director at IPSOTSL, Lt. Colonel Nandana Senadheera in co-operation with a host of Senior Officers, Army Engineers, soldiers and civilians who toiled day and night to make this founding of the IPSOTSL a reality.
The Royal Nepalese Army cooperated lavishly and provided necessary E-mail, telephone and fax facilities, and also the ammunition and explosives needed for the MPE-3 at Kukuleganga. Assistance and patronage given by UN and the US Army is gratefully acknowledged by the Sri Lanka Army.
