Joint Chinese-SL army training exercise begins

The first phase of the second joint Sri Lanka Army-People’s Liberation Army of China Exercise - Silk Route - 2015 got under way with the blessings of the Commander of the Army, on 22 June at the Officer Career Development Centre (OCDC) at Buttala after a brief inaugural ceremony where Major General Jagath Dias, Chief of Staff, was present as the Chief Guest. 

Exercise Silk Route – 2015 was organised by the Directorate of Training at the Army Headquarters under three phases. 

Phase 1 will run from 22-28 June at the Commando Regiment (CR) Training School, Uva-Kudaoya, Phase 2 will run from 28 June to 5 July at the CR Regimental Headquarters in Ganemulla and Phase 3 will run from 5-13 July at the Special Forces Training School at Maduruoya.  The training exercises focus largely on weapon handling, VVIP protection study, live firing, lane firing, sniper firing, body protection drills, backup vehicle movement and training, body protection formation, ambush drills, reconnaissance techniques, skill firing, special mission planning, combat tracking techniques, situation training exercise, jungle warfare, basic battle skills, vehicle ambush drills, aircraft, building option training, etc. 

The first stage of Exercise Silk Route - 2015 was conducted in China earlier this year between 29 March and 17 April with the participation of 42 commandos and Special Forces soldiers from Sri Lanka, following successful negotiations between the Sri Lankan and Chinese armies. 

The Chinese group, led by Lieutenant Colonel Qi Qiang of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), comprises 43 army personnel of the PLA and a similar number from the Sri Lankan Army’s Commando Regiment and Special Forces is engaged in the exercises. The event’s closing ceremony will take place on 13 July at the Special Forces Training School.     

Major General B.A. Perera, Director General Staff, Major General Mano Perera, Commander, Army Training Command and several senior officers were also present.