Published on - 6/18/2005
Two more batches of Officers and Other Ranks, who followed the Advanced Infantry Platoon Training (AIPT) course at Illekadu AIPT school passed out recently after their graduation at Eluthumaduvaval.
The course, devised by Major General S.D. Thennakoon, Commander Security Forces Headquarters (Jaffna), provides rounds of extensive training to infantry soldiers to improve their professional standards, enhancing their prowess to face any eventuality in the face of the enemy. Able instructors of the Air Combat Unit gave the necessary support to the course.
The 15th batch of trainees comprised 4 Officers and 209 Other Ranks from different Volunteer Units deployed in the north. They followed the course for a period of nearly five weeks starting from 28 April 2005 whereas the 16thbatch that included 9 Officers and 287 Other Ranks from Volunteer Units successfully ended their training in June 2005.
Major General S.D. Thennakoon, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters (Jaffna) as Chief Guest on the occasion gave away certificates and prizes to those of the 15th batch who showed their talents during the course on the invitation of Colonel M.H.S.B. Perera, Commander 534 Brigade. Second Lieutenant S.A. Abeysekara from 3rd Gemunu Watch (Volunteer) was selected as the best student whilst Rifleman R.M. Senarathne from 11thSri Lanka Sinha Regiment (Volunteer) won the prize for the best shot. Prize for the best performance in physical training went to Private D.J. Dharmasiri from the 2nd Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (Volunteer). Major General Tennekoon's Trophy was won by 10th Gemunu Watch (Volunteer) for the third consecutive time.
Major General N.A. Jayasooriya, Commander 53 Division, Brigadier P. Pannipitiya, Commander 51 Division, Brigadier S.G. Karunaratne, Commander 52 Division and several Brigade Commanders in the north were also present at the ceremony for the 15th batch.
51 Divisional Commander Brigadier P. Pannipitiya as the Chief Guest, participated in the passing-out ceremony of the 16th batch on the invitation of Colonel G.D.H.K. Gunarathna, Commander 531 Brigade and gave away awards for the best performances of the batch. Many senior officers, junior officers and soldiers were also present on this occasion.
Lieutenant W.R.Dharmasena from the 3rd (Volunteer) Vigayaba Watch was awarded as the best Platoon Commander while Sergeant Vijerathna B.A. from 6th (Volunteer) Gajaba Regiment won the prize for the best Instructor of the 16th Batch. Private Premasiri PSK of 14th (Volunteer) Sri Lanka Light Infantry and Private Piyasena HM of 15th (Volunteer)Gajaba Watch were awarded the prices for the best shooter and the best soldier of the 16th batch respectively. Sergeant Manjula HRD from 9th (Volunteer) Sri Lanka Light Infantry won the award for the best student of this batch for overall performances.
