STAGE SET FOR UN MPE-3 AT KUKULEGANGA

As the stage is now set for the inauguration of the mammoth first-ever Multinational Platoon Exercise (MPE-3) alias \' Sama Gamana\' of the Army at Kukuleganga Institute of Peace Support Operations Training Sri Lanka (IPSOTSL) on 12th June 2004, foreign observers from Australia, Bhutan, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand and United Kingdom have already confirmed their presence for the occasion, so said Brigadier Srinath Rajapakse, Director of Training at Army Headquarters at a Press Conference held on Thursday (3rd June).

\"This is in addition to 180 troops from Bangladesh, Mongolia, Nepal and US participating in the MPE-3 exercise. The opening sessions are to be graced by Lt. Gen James L. Campbell, Head of the US Army Pacific Command, thus strengthening chances for Sri Lanka to participate in future UN Peace Support Operations.\"

MPE-3 is one of Peace Keeping Operations Training and Seminar Programmes, designed to enhance the abilities of participant nations to perform peace-keeping and humanitarian assistance missions and to improve their interoperability with other international military forces.

Opening of the IPSOTSL the same day on site will function a catalyst to our soldiers who would aspire to be a member of the UN team. This will attract more youths to the Army and help promote our recruitment drive, commented Major Gen Parami Kulathunge, Director General, General Staff, who chaired the media conference.

Military Spokesman Colonel Sumedha Perera briefed the media on media arrangements at the site and called upon all to participate in the inaugural sessions. A large gathering of media personnel attended the Press Conference where former military men who served UN assignments earlier were available to share their experiences.

This first-ever mega Multinational Platoon Exercise (MPE) on UN Peace Support Operations Training, orientated to achieve effective interoperability among participating countries, is to be ceremonially launched at the newly established camp-site at Kukuleganga on 12th June 2004.

The Kukuleganga campsite, hereafter named as the Institute of Peace Support Operations Training Sri Lanka (IPSOTSL) is also to be formally declared open on the same day. This particular concept of MPE, introduced by the US Army Pacific Command was first implemented in Nepal during 2000, secondly in 2002 in Bangladesh and the third will be from 12th-27th June at Kukuleganga in Sri Lanka.

This mega event of such magnitude in Sri Lanka, as in previous occasions, is co-hosted by US Army Pacific Command with over 180 troops from Bangladesh, Mongolia, Nepal and USA participating in addition to two platoons (64) from Sri Lanka. The objective of this MPE-3, code named “Sama Gamana” is to enhance understanding through co-operation while increasing the interoperability and readiness of force in the areas of planning and executing UN Peace Support Operations.

Planned thirty one common lessons/tasks are designed to be taught during the MPE-3 grouped under six lanes. Each lane is an independent stand for lessons assigned to be learned and practiced by the troops.

The MPE-3, “Sama Gamana” is based on the most common United Nations Peace Support Operations at squad/platoon level tasks, covering spheres such as UN presence, Mandate, Rules of Engagement, Interoperability among participants in performing UN peace-keeping tasks, Threat scenario, Manning observation posts and checkpoints, Mine awareness, Patrolling, Convoy operations, Media management during Civil Disturbances, Displaced civilians and humanitarian relief operations.

The newly-opened IPSOTSL has the capacity to train approximately 600 officers and other ranks at any given time, prior to their departure for overseas UN assignments. This in turn will help not only generate foreign exchange to the country, but will also attract more and more Sri Lankan youths for recruitment for all three armed services. Participation of officials from US Army Pacific Command in this mega event held for the first time in Sri Lanka would add colour to this occasion.

Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs H. M. G. S Palihakkara, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army Lt. Gen L. P Balagalle, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri, Air Force Commander Air Marshal G. Donald Perera, Inspector General of Police T. Indra de Silva, US Ambassador Jeffrey Lunstead and Mrs Lunstead, Ambassador for Bangladesh A. M. Yaqub Ali and Mrs Ali, Ambassador for Nepal B. B Kunwar and Mrs Kunwar, UN Resident representative Miguel Bermeo, ICRC Head of Delegation Thierry Mbyrat, Director, British Council Tony Obrien and a host of Defence Attaches/Advisers, diplomats, foreign dignitaries, Senior Officers of the armed forces and the Police are expected to grace the inaugural ceremony. Defence Secretary L. D Cyril Herath will attend the closing sessions.