Artillery Roars at Field Firing Range - Tempitiya

In complying with the training directive 2025 of the Directorate of Training - AHQ, the School of Artillery successfully conducted the “EXERCISE EASTERN BARRAGE”, under the close scrutiny of the Commander Artillery Brigade with the direct supervision of the Adjutant General of the Sri Lanka Army and the Colonel Commandant of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery, Major General K V N P Premaratne RSP USP nps psc. The Artillery deployment and live firing exercise was conducted at the Field Firing Range – TEMPITIYA, MAHAOYA from 15 to 20 May 2025 consisted a battery of 120mm Mortars, a battery of 122mm Field Guns, a troop of 130mm medium guns, a troop of 152mm Medium Guns and 2 x 122mm MBRLs.

The exercise encompassed tactical and technical employment of artillery in actual operational scenario and provided a unique opportunity for all members to hands on practical gunnery on the field. Further the Exercise extended it purview to the observation post duties where students of School of Arty had an immense opportunity to experience the live fire direction on the field. The exercise included the participation from students of Young Officers’ Course 50, Long Gunnery Staff Course (OR) FD - 20, Gun Nos' 1 Course (Non-Tradesmen) - FD 394, Technical Assistance Trade Test Course 481, Post Depot Course - FD 228. Senior Officers including Commanding Officers, Officers and Other Ranks from Artillery units also actively participated in the event.

The field firing session was witnessed by Major General P R Pathiravithana USAWC psc, the Commander Security Force (East) together with other senior ground commanders of formation in the SF (East). Skeleton of trainee troops from different training schools,their instructors and the commandants and the troops of 57, 61 and 14 Infantry Divisions also witnessed the firing. Successful execution ofthis major level exercise was readily directed and supported by Comd and Staff of SF HQ (East), 24 Infantry Division. Further the support provided by Engineer Brigade, Signal Brigade and many other CS and CSS units cannot leave unnoticed.