25th February 2022 20:40:28 Hours
The Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC) debut “Armour Symposium -2022” that explored possibilities for enhancement of professional capabilities and competencies of Cavalry officers which also corresponds with the 'Army Way Forward Strategy 2020-2025' of the Commander of the Army under the theme, 'Excellence through Knowledge' got underway during 21-22 February at Modera SLAC Rock House Camp with the participation of a host of veterans, subject experts, Senior Officers and invitees.
This first ever of its kind, organized by the SLAC which focused mainly on 'Future of Sri Lanka Armoured Corps; Challenges and Prospects' and 'Maintaining Traditions and Officering' was the brainchild of Major General Swarna Bothota, Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC) and General Officer Commanding, 61 Division and its arrangements and the conduct of the event were coordinated by the staff at the Armoured Brigade and the SLAC Regimental Centre under the close supervision of Brigadier Priyantha Kariyawasam, the Centre Commandant, SLAC and Brigadier Anil Peiris, the Commander Armoured Brigade.
Major General M.H Gunaratne (Retd) graced as the Chief Guest and Major General N. A Ranasinghe (Retd) delivered the keynote address. The Day 1 Sessions under the thematic topic 'Future of Sri Lanka Armoured Corps; Challenges and Prospects' chaired by Colonel Rasika Gunasena dwelt on 'Role of Armour in emerging traditional and non-traditional threats in Sri Lanka', 'Armour operations in the war against terrorists and lessons learnt', 'Sustainability of Armour in the future context; What suits best for Sri Lanka'. Contributors to the sessions included Major General Nalinda Niyangoda, Commandant, Sri Lanka Military Academy, General Jagath Jayasuriya (Retd), former Commander of the Army and Colonel Anton Wijeyesekera.
The Day 2 Sessions sub-themed as 'Maintaining Traditions and Officering', chaired by Colonel Kaminda Silva discussed "The importance of military tradition', 'Enhancing professionalism through regimentation; Emerging challenges to professional soldiering' and 'Leadership; Making a military leader in the present context' etc. Brigadier R.M Jaysinghe (Retd), Brigadier C.S.N.B Mudannayake (Retd) and Major General G.A Chandrasiri (Retd) contributed to the forum separately on above sub-topics before final observations and productive recommendations were presented by participating panelists.
A few Officers of the Mechanized Infantry Regiment were also associated with elaborate and comprehensive deliberations. The Chief Guest, Keynote Speaker and all Speakers were awarded mementos by the SLAC Colonel Commandant in appreciation of their intellectual inputs given to the symposium.
