The Special Infantry Operations (SIO) Course No - 70 commenced on January 4 at the Army Training School (ATS), Maduruoya with 14 Officers and 258 Other Ranks concluded on February 25 in a Passing Out Parade (POP).
The POP was commanded by Major V.A.D.J.D Vithana, Senior Instructor Combat Training Group (CTG) and the SIO course consisted of several segments in different training establishments in the Army such as Signal, Engineers, Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps, Sri Lanka Air Force, Marksmanship and Sniper Training Schools (MSTS) and Sri Lanka Artillery. Tactics leg of the course was the critical part of the SIO, which took 40 working days during the training at the ATS.
The course was designed on the directions of the Commandant ATS Maduruoya, Brigadier Anil Samarasiri and under the supervision of the Commanding Officer (Training) Colonel Anurudda Solangarachchi and the Chief Instructor, Lieutenant Colonel R.S.A.W.A.K Abayakoon.
The SIO No 70, 14 Officers and 232 Other Ranks donned the SIO insignia on their uniform. Major General Channa Weerasuriya, Commander Security Forces East graced the POP as the Chief Guest and adorned the uniform with the insignia.
