UN PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS TRAINING BEGINS

Kukuleganga, the homestead of legendary warrior, Veediya Bandara alias Prince Vedaya in the Kotte period of this island-nation repeats its history today (June 12, 2004) when the Sri Lanka Army, for the first time in Sri Lanka, ceremonially opens its Institute of Peace Support Operations Training in Sri Lanka (IPSOTSL), meant to improve interoperablility of the troops and enhance their ability to perform peace-keeping and humanitarian assistance missions.

The Multinational Platoon Exercise (MPE-3) \" SAMA GAMANA\"with several hundreds of foreign trainees from the US, Nepal, Mongolia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will get underway this afternoon after the inauguration. The warrior Prince Veediya Bandara who fought against injustices of the kings Seethawaka Rajasingha, Maya Dunne and finally against the Portugese to unify three Sinhalaya, the chronicles claim, lived in this area with his wife Princess Sooriya Devi.

Nestled in the salubrious mountainous country terrains on the boundaries of Sri Lanka's treasured green paradise and the lush rainforest of Sinharaja, lies Kukuleganga at the extreme border of Kalutara district, next to the gem-rich Sabaragamuwa province.

The Army's concept for establishment of the Institute of Peace Support Operations Training in Sri Lanka (IPSOTSL) for UN assignments transformed the whole site from its state of idleness to a hive of activity after UN experts reinforced the Army's selection of the site as ideal after a number of hectic feasible studies that begun in early 2003.

It was a dream came through for thousands of soldiers, thanks to the conceptual initiative taken by Lt. Gen L.P Balagalle, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army.

The site complete with hanging creepers and vines, tree branches and boulders had to be re-designed with the least possible environmental damages. The Army Engineers took the challenge, earmarked training lanes for exercises, pitch for troops and ensured cascading water streams are not at all disturbed in this 80 acre land, which is hereafter called the IPSOTSL. Mountain valleys around the site still remain guarding this place of historical importance to this island-nation.

The grand opening ceremony on Saturday (12th June) here at IPSOTSL rich with pomp and pageantry no doubt, marked a milestone in the annals of the Sri Lankan Army's history replete with valour and bravery since its soldiers are now entitled to undergo training of international and UN standards while being on our own soil.

The ceremonial inauguration today scheduled to be attended by a host of VVIPs, distinguished guests, diplomats, defence attaches and other invitees including Minister of Buddha Sasana & Deputy Minister of Defence Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Minister of Power & Energy Susil Premajayanth and Commanding General US Army Pacific Command Lt. Gen James L Campbell will be featured on the Army Website soon after the inaugural sessions are over.

Over 180 foreign trainees from US, Mongolia, Nepal, Bangladesh and another batch of observers from Australia, Bhutan, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand and United Kingdom are now here at Kukuleganga IPSOTSL for this mega Multinational Platoon Exercise (MPE-3) “Sama Gamana”. Sri Lanka contributes to this mega event, MPE-3 with 64 counterparts from two platoons, for the first time in Sri Lanka.

So be with us, for more news about MPE-3 \"SAMA GAMANA\"