tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36212839460003940652024-03-13T09:46:06.304-07:00||::Ceylon Defence::||||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-88419177192917776212009-05-18T19:14:00.000-07:002009-05-18T19:15:48.475-07:00LTTE wiped out!nation Liberated||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-8702128692966055952009-04-30T01:41:00.000-07:002009-04-30T01:45:13.798-07:00Prabhakaran plans mass murder of civilians -by OgreLTTE now plans to commit mass murder. They have approximately 12,000 civilians all in explosive wired tents surrounded by Prabhakarans main bunker complex in Vellamullivaikal south east. There is a small lagoon between the land and main lagoon. This region was heavily bombed by our air force about 3 days ago for almost 10 hours. VP may be dead as most of his cadre, but even if there is anyone left they will not let us find the truth. They are trying to take 12,000 civilians with them to the grave.<br /><br />We will try to put up UAV for monitoring but flying over that 2 mile area is not possible 24 hours.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Posted by Ogre at DefenceWire.Some contents of this are edited due to obvious reasons.</span>||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-85773548640993592582009-04-28T01:20:00.000-07:002009-04-28T01:28:52.429-07:00BREAKING NEWS-SLA has commenced operationsSri Lanka Army has commenced operations to rescue the remaining civilians held hostage by the LTTE in the southern area of the CSZ.According the news received so far offencive divisions have advanced about 800m southwards from Valayarmadam since the begining of operations today morning..Await an update later today with more information.||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-52600488764849540892009-04-20T22:36:00.000-07:002009-04-20T23:09:14.052-07:00Second Phase or the main phase of SF operation begins!!The first phase of the Special Operation conducted by troops of SF1 which started around 1 am yesterday was completed at around 9 am after it was declared successful.Civilians started to burst out of the CSZ at first light yesterday.Approximately 35000 civilians who were held hostage by the LTTE inside the CSZ broke out of it as a result of the SF op.Another 5000 came out from other sides including the sea.This operation was assited by the 58th division which was located closest to the borders of the safe zone.The elite brigade attched to it,the Commando 2(CR2) brigade played a vital role in this mission.However the main op was conducted by the SF1 troops.<br /><br />At about 2 am SF1 troops and CR2 troops crept towards the earth bund situated in the western border of the CSZ.They were equipped with sophisticated weapons never used in the Wanni Operation before even by SF troops themselves and also the intelligence collected by UAVs and spies in the CSZ.An undisclosed number of SF 2 troops who operated inside the safe zone provided support to these troops.Though much details cannot be revieled yet we were informed that they did a great job which prevented a lot of civilian casualties.The main group of Special Forces soldeirs used snipers a lot along with their standard guns(SMGs,AK47,MGLs).At about 9 30 am SF 1 and CR 2 troops who entered the safe zone returned to GoSL area while the rest,well stayed behind.SF casualties stand at 36 including 17 KIA.<br /><br />We have not yet recieved information on when the troops will commence operations again.But according to some sources it will commence tonight or tommorow.It is not yet confirmed.But there's a probability that it will start in another few days,most probably within this week.<br /><br />The military believes that another 25000-30000 civilians are trapped inside the safe zone.Clearing of the CSZ by the main divisions will start after 60%-75% of the civilians left inside are rescued by special ops.||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-60573710779030783172009-04-13T06:22:00.000-07:002009-04-13T10:39:17.294-07:00SLA to stick to 'The Plan'<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jnd3FU5niFs/SeN4v0UuK7I/AAAAAAAAAFY/-VwZgTSoWGY/s1600-h/%21cid_03ab01c6e2c5%2401535130%244064a8c0%40aslam.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="!cid_03ab01c6e2c5$01535130$4064a8c0@aslam" border="0" alt="!cid_03ab01c6e2c5$01535130$4064a8c0@aslam" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jnd3FU5niFs/SeM89EkFKTI/AAAAAAAAAFc/5iwiN5okFQU/%21cid_03ab01c6e2c5%2401535130%244064a8c0%40aslam_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="248" /></a></p> <p>Today GoSL announced that SLA units will go defensive as a measure to enable the civilians trapped in the CSZ to 'celebrate' their new year in a suitable atmosphere.The government said that they would pause all offensives to allow free movement of civilians in the CSZ and out of it.This has raised concern whether the government is doing this because of some international pressure as it is obvious that it is not the reason the government say it to be.But we would like to firmly tell our readers that this is all part of 'the plan.GoSL will never turn its course until the war is over.They have come all this way with a single motive and will not look back until its accomplished. <br />                                                                                                                                      As I revealed in my earlier post(BREAKING NEWS-Special Forces operation to commence soon) the Special Operation is not meant to be a civilian rescue operation.But the possibility of it to turn out to one,I didn't rule out as stated in that post.So the decisive time has come.If the LTTE release civilians during this period,which is very unlikely to happen things will turn out to be good for Sri Lanka.However even if LTTE do this the SF operation will continue.If not after the pause SLA infantry units will commence operations inside the CSZ simultaneously with the Special Forces operation.When the main phase of the SF operation starts it is very likely to finish within 1 week or less completing all offensives by freeing all the civilians as well as capturing the LTTE leaders including VP(If we are lucky).</p> <p>Currently the 59th division is operating in the outskirts of the CSZ after crossing the causeway north of Mullative, the 53rd,58th in the western borders as close as 50 m at some points while the 55th is operating about 400 m outside the CSZ.From about 100m south of the FDL of  55th division civilians can been seen although that area does not include the CSZ.The special forces units of the 55th division are operating behind enemy lines.</p> <p>Although a pause is in operation the Special operation is still going on as it cannot be paused due to its nature.So it is foolish to think that this humanitarian pause declared by the government will bring adverse effects to the overall  military operations.As I mentioned earlier it is all part of the plan.</p> ||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-40027841720884908082009-04-06T08:38:00.000-07:002009-04-06T09:32:21.238-07:00SF starts first phase of 'the operation'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We mentioned that a special operation of SLA was on its way in the post published on 3rd April (</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px; "><a href="http://ceylondefence.blogspot.com/2009/04/breaking-news-special-forces-operation.html" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">BREAKING NEWS-Special Forces operation to commence soon</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">).Now we have recieved news that the first phase of the operation has already started.This does not involve a lot of fighting between the military and the LTTE.We believe that our intelligent readers understand the nature of the first phase of a special operation.As we mentioned in the previous post it is conducted by troops of SF2.But there is a chance that other SF brigades will be introduced depending on the requirement.Further details will be not revieled due to their sensitive nature.Our readers had blamed us for publishing too much details in the earlier post.But what we at CeylonDefence have to say is that our readers got the wrong idea because we refrained from publishing more details on it.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In the PTK battlefront the number of LTTE dead bodies collected has risen to 525 while a few more senior leaders of the LTTE have been identified among the dead according to Army sources.Troops are further clearing the area while constructing defenses facing the Civilian Safety Zone(CSZ).A large number of LTTE cadres had also surrendered to the SLA unable to face the forces.Military is expecting to discover a large haul of weapons from the recently liberated area.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In the CSZ terrorists are fast losing grip on civilians as their manpower has reduced in large numbers and also due to the fact that a number of senior cadres have perished in the recent battle.So the number of civilians entering government control territory is believed to swell in the coming days due to the above mentioned fact and also the special operation.<br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size:13px;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><br /></div></span></div></div></div>||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-14228969560428803392009-04-05T02:54:00.000-07:002009-04-05T03:38:20.016-07:00SLA goes for the kill-460 LTTE bodies recovered so farAfter the troops of the 58<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> division and the 53rd met at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pachchapulmodai</span> junction,cutting off supply routes over 650 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">LLTE</span> cadres were trapped in an area of about 1.5km2.Even at the time of capture troops who <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">observed</span> tigers moving in vehicles across the junction destroyed a few vehicles using <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">RPG</span>-7s.After restricting the tigers from escaping into the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">CSZ</span> the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">SLA</span> formed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">FDLs</span> manned by troops of the Special Forces 1,2 and Commando 2 attached to the 58 division.Gen.Fonseka who saw the valuable catch took the operation to his hands and patiently waited,fortifying the defences with special units to prevent the escape of a single cadre.At first hard core cadres trapped in the zone tried to break through the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">FDL</span>.But they were engaged by the SF units.Though the tiger unit consisting of a few leaders first expected reinforcements to arrive from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">CSZ</span> as promised by their senior leadership,such a thing did not materialize.So the demoralized cadres desperately fired shells from the artillery guns until their supplies dwindled,with no result.The special units started their movement for the kill today morning with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">CAS</span> from fighter jets to annihilate the remaining pockets of tigers.We also received news that the Air Mobile brigade has also been called for the operation.As of now troops have been able to find 250 bodies of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">LTTE</span> cadres including some senior leaders to raise the number of bodies collected to 460 in the last 3 days.Troops have also uncovered 4 artillery guns so far from this area(including the 1 destroyed by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">SLAF</span>) and a large haul of weapons.<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">LTTE</span> casualty figures are expected to rise to more than 600 after the area in full cleared.Troops have also gone close to the borders of the safe zone.Exodus is expected soon(depending on the SF ops)More weapons are also expected to be recovered.So folks light your crackers and stay tuned for more info.Its the time for the KILL!||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-58728586612932494672009-04-03T22:18:00.000-07:002009-04-03T22:37:36.295-07:00BREAKING NEWS-Special Forces operation to commence soonWe have now received news that the long awaited SF mission will commence at an undisclosed time between Monday or Tuesday.However according to the news received so far this will not be a civilian rescue mission as anticipated by most.But we can not rule out the possibility of a civilian rescue mission if things do not work out as planned.This will be conducted to soften up the LTTE defenses as well as to take high profile targets(mostly tier 2).The special operation will be done by troops of SF2.They will call for for air support to take out strong points when needed.Actually they will be only confirming the targets observed through air surveillance by UAVs.But the military fear that it will be impossible to take them due to high civilian concentrations.So SF troops will be creating a background suitable to destroy these strategic points.Exact details of the mission cannot be revealed due to obvious reasons.But we will surely give our readers the possible information as soon as we get them.Stay tuned!||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-64940053488958833362009-03-31T09:38:00.001-07:002009-04-01T08:17:04.312-07:00SLAF pounds on 130mm artillary piece of LTTE<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dygKTEiI0T2QUrHhvFN6kOZztTYjcQCz_PTpMJSKC6-9CXE8SHczbyFkTTo1HpOxB0k93vyhhQ_MbY97EkC1w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><br />Tigers who had been using 122mm and 152mm artillery for a while had thought of taking out a 130mm piece....||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-5526912795970111272009-03-29T08:09:00.002-07:002009-03-29T09:10:27.559-07:00SF ambush kills 17 infiltratorsYesterday(28th march) an 8 man team of Special Forces 3 successfully ambushed a group of tiger infiltrators in the Thevipuram area.This was a part of the group of tigers who had infiltrated into the government controlled area during the LTTE counter operation early March.During this operation almost half the LTTE attackers got wiped out by SLA commandos while most of others retreated with their dead and wounded.A few tigers managed to infiltrate through the FDL of the 58th division.Then teams of Special Forces troops were deployed in the area to take out these cadres.<br /><br />Troops of both SF3 and 4 have confronted with these cadres and have caused damaged to them.Yesterdays ambush was a lot successful as troops were able to take a RPG operator who had been a headache for a while.They have also recovered bodies of all the dead cadres including this RPG operator's body.SF soldiers have suffered 3 casualties including 1 KIA.<br /><br />Now the remaining LTTE units are operating in an area of approximately 3 square kms outside the CSZ.The forward advance of troops has been slowed due to the counter attacks of LTTE and also the inability to use heavy fire power due to the civilian factor.But the army has been able to hold on to its lines and today they have advanced around 350m into LTTE held territory towards the CSZ.So steady progress like this means the remaining ares of tigers will be captured slowly inflicting heavy damage to the terrorists.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">We </span>recommend<span style="font-style: italic;"> our readers to read the article of The </span>Long<span style="font-style: italic;"> Ranger on </span>MOUT<span style="font-style: italic;"> to have a fair idea about the current ground situation.</span></span>||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-60124034395505026382009-03-22T22:45:00.000-07:002009-03-22T23:28:19.531-07:00Canada shows their stripes to the world<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFb1dkyriw0S1iRiFZfYb3a-NRuCQFEQemkI9REXCyvhSV_2GSKqszQ6kzNYxA2MGxsZUP3uYsPtBrpXcRxTNSyG5r7wBVomIUzoL-TeqVdKs6xLNZoYiMAQ5LJgdc55-dJxRNej-YNTJ/s1600-h/download.htm"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFb1dkyriw0S1iRiFZfYb3a-NRuCQFEQemkI9REXCyvhSV_2GSKqszQ6kzNYxA2MGxsZUP3uYsPtBrpXcRxTNSyG5r7wBVomIUzoL-TeqVdKs6xLNZoYiMAQ5LJgdc55-dJxRNej-YNTJ/s320/download.htm" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316263873084320850" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6aBynl1ri0lyU3Co5zzMfdWEZpwWWER8ijPw2lXXj1sICyHR8-WgAE3qTUC6YuGiYpm4dBjJV91cMXLAiVo2n-DmXZ3hLXqnYesbbSMLQgqHn3ev2_BpX269CLqcnbSnoBBRy-ZhQeAg/s1600-h/Canada_014_77777_218.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6aBynl1ri0lyU3Co5zzMfdWEZpwWWER8ijPw2lXXj1sICyHR8-WgAE3qTUC6YuGiYpm4dBjJV91cMXLAiVo2n-DmXZ3hLXqnYesbbSMLQgqHn3ev2_BpX269CLqcnbSnoBBRy-ZhQeAg/s320/Canada_014_77777_218.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316263854678124994" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeveEZd8y2rkeul7-cuNjEjv4iuxjoYonw9_QJRvZdRGg7cckjjGMSXHa06OwStFldOt5uVlrc06Ru4wXUh74nS40o8Kw93kRsJgT5rCr07WbIO0ArtNXbD_AosiLVxflxWZT8bK7lePk/s1600-h/Canada_021_77770_218.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeveEZd8y2rkeul7-cuNjEjv4iuxjoYonw9_QJRvZdRGg7cckjjGMSXHa06OwStFldOt5uVlrc06Ru4wXUh74nS40o8Kw93kRsJgT5rCr07WbIO0ArtNXbD_AosiLVxflxWZT8bK7lePk/s320/Canada_021_77770_218.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316263869998498050" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The protest held in Canada last week was conducted by a few LTTE sympathizers in Toronto.The protestants accused the government of Sri Lanka for carrying out what they called "genocide" against the tamils in the CSZ(Civilian Safety Zone) in the North Eastern coastal belt of Sri Lanka.Though these terrorist supporters asked the Canadian government and the UNO to force a ceasefire in Sri lanka to stop the plight of the tamils what they really wanted was displayed in the banners some held.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMGXRaVPP8xaHb8_Vd-9NqgSBacX_NBR3Om2duLpdIBHypsQEuY1_Yj9PrYZPKLUeZmx7p-RXbEEiFmlk0sutlZhg0YCAttahxGk5OP9a6jjOSId0b3GL01K1dgkB-3iQWoslQxSKG8Lr/s1600-h/Canada_013_77780_200.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMGXRaVPP8xaHb8_Vd-9NqgSBacX_NBR3Om2duLpdIBHypsQEuY1_Yj9PrYZPKLUeZmx7p-RXbEEiFmlk0sutlZhg0YCAttahxGk5OP9a6jjOSId0b3GL01K1dgkB-3iQWoslQxSKG8Lr/s320/Canada_013_77780_200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316263131271042162" border="0" /></a><br />It clearly shows the mentality of the Tamil diaspora.They do not care about the lives of the innocent civilians held hostage by the terrorists in the No Fire Zone.What they want is a separate homeland for the Tamils who are a mere 13% of the country's population.The separatism and the inability to live among people of other communities is clearly mirrored by this demonstration.<br /><br />The other sad fact brought out by this protest is the reaction of the Canadian government towards the activities of terrorists.The government which had banned the LTTE organization as a terrorist movement not only allowed the protestants to carry out the protest but facilitated it by closing roads and so on.We are very disappointed by this act of the government of Canada.<br /><br />Furthermore these kinds of protests held around the world should be taken by the government of Sri Lanka as a push to accelerate the military operation to capture the remaining territory held by the tigers and also to continue its Zero Civilian Casualty(ZCC) policy along with the humanitarian acts by the SLA.Our view is that prolonging the war would only worsen the situation.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0); font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Please drop a comment with your view on this.Thank You.-CeylonDefence</span>||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-38834204303771448902009-03-19T00:23:00.001-07:002009-03-19T00:33:22.136-07:00Military Organization<p style="font: 12.0px Times"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As most of our readers do not have a proper idea of the organization of the military including the heirachy and the formation of the army divisions we at CeylonDefence thought of enlightening you on the subject.<br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Executive Control & administration of military orga</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">nizations</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In a democratic country the head of the military oraganization is the commander-in-chief,the president of the counry(ex-Sri Lanka,USA).The defence minister is the second in command.In our case the president himself is the minister of defence.Currently one of the most famous men in Sri lanka ,the defence secretary is subordinated to the defence minster.The Ministry of Defence of which the defence secretary is the head is the highest level of military headquarters charged with formulating, executing defence policy and procurements for the Armed Forces.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Operational and defence policy decisions are taken by the National Defence Council.The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) is the head of the Joint Operations Headquarters (JOH) of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and is a member of the National Security Council headed by the president.Although the commanders of the three fold forces come under the The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDs),they have much autonomy in military operations.Under these commanders comes the respective officers of the tri armed forces.Here we are concentrating only on the structure of the Sri Lanka Army(SLA).</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sri Lanka Army</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The professional head of the Sri Lanka Army is the Commander of the Army, currently Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka.He is assisted by the Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General Nissanka Wijesinghe.The Army Headquarters, situated in Colombo is the main administrative and the operational headquarters of the Sri Lanka Army. It is divided into a number of branches of which we are not going to discuss here. The Headquarters of field formations each have its own staff. For instance a divisional headquarters is divided into a GS branch as an AQ branch, each headed by a Colonel and is responsible for operations & training and administration & logistics respectively. Similarly, a Brigade Major and Major AQ is responsible for operations and administration in a brigade. Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna (SFHQ-J), Security Forces Headquarters - Wanni (SFHQ-W), Security Forces Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E) are such divisional headquarters</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sri Lanka Army has largely retained the British-style regimental system that it inherited upon independence. The individual regiments (such as the Sri Lanka Light Infantry and the Sinha Regiment) operate independently and recruit their own members. Officers tend to remain in a single battalion throughout their careers. The infantry battalion, the basic unit of organization in field operations, includes five companies of four platoons each. Typical platoon have three squads (sections) of ten personnel each. In addition to the basic infantry forces, a commando regiment was also established in 1986. Support for the infantry is provided by an armoured regiment, five reconnaissance regiments, three mechanized infantry regiments, five field artillery regiments, a rocket artillery regiment, three commando regiments , three special forces regiments, six field engineering regiments, five signals battalions, a medical corps, and a variety of logistics units.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Regiments & Corps</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Armoured Corps (SLAC)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Signals Corps (SLSC)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Gemunu Watch (GW)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Gajaba Regiment (GR)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Mechanized Infantry Regiment</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * President's Guard]</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Commando Regiment (CR)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Special Forces Regiment (SF)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Military Intelligence Corps</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Engineer Services Regiment</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Army Service Corps</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Rifle Corps</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka Army Pioneer Corps</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Sri Lanka National Guard</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The various divisions of the Sri Lanka Army have been the topic of discussion in sri Lanka lately.The success of the military operation and also the promotion given by various media has made these divisions and their GOCs(General Officer Commanding)s popular.Although the active offensive divisions and Task Forces are known to most of the people,they do not have much knowledge of some offensive divisions as well as the defencesive divions which are playing a vital role in the current operations.So next we will see the divisions and their sub formations.Before moving on to it refer to the table below to get a proper understanding of the army hierarchy.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Following is the formation of a modern army.this is the structure common to most armies.But there may be few differences in the structure in countries.Even in Sri Lanka the structure is not exactly similar to this.There are differences in numbers as well as the order.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="background-color: #ffffff; border-collapse: collapse"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APP-6A"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">APP-6A</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Symbol</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Name</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Strength</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Constituent units</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Commander or leader</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">XXXXXX</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Region#Military_usage"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">region</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theater_(warfare)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">theater</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_(military)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">front</span></a></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">1,000,000+</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">4+ army groups</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">general</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_general"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">army general</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_marshal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">field marshal</span></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">XXXXX</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_group"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">army group</span></a></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">250,000+</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2+ armies</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">general, army general, or field marshal</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">XXXX</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_army"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">army</span></a></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">60,000–100,000+</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2–4 corps</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">general, army general, or colonel general</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">XXX</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corps"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">corps</span></a></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">30,000–80,000</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2+ divisions</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant_general"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">lieutenant general</span></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">XX</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_(military)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">division</span></a></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">10,000–20,000</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2–4 brigades or regiments</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_general"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">major general</span></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">X</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigade"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">brigade</span></a></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2000–5000</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2+ regiments, 3–6 battalions or Commonwealth regiments</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigadier_general"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">brigadier general</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigadier"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">brigadier</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">colonel</span></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">III</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regiment"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">regiment</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> or group</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2000–3000</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2+ battalions or U.S. Cavalry squadrons</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">colonel</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">II</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">infantry </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battalion"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">battalion</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, U.S. Cavalry </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squadron"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">squadron</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, or Commonwealth armoured </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regiment"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">regiment</span></a></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">300–1000</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2–6 companies, batteries, U.S. Cavalry troops, or Commonwealth squadrons</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant_colonel"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">lieutenant colonel</span></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">infantry </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_(military_unit)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">company</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artillery_battery"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">artillery battery</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, U.S. Cavalry </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troop"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">troop</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, or Commonwealth armour or combat engineering </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squadron"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">squadron</span></a></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">70–250</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2–8 platoons or Commonwealth troops</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Warrant_Officer"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">chief warrant officer</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_(land_and_air)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">captain</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">major</span></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">•••</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platoon"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">platoon</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> or Commonwealth </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troop"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">troop</span></a></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">25–60</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2+ squads, sections, or vehicles</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warrant_officer"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">warrant officer</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> and first or second </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">lieutenant</span></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">••</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_(military_unit)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">section</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrol"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">patrol</span></a></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">8–12</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2+ fireteams</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">corporal</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staff_sergeant"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">staff sergeant</span></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">•</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squad"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">squad</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> or crew</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">8–16</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2+ fireteams or 1+ cell</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">corporal to staff sergeant</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ø</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireteam"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">fireteam</span></a></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">4–5</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">n/a</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_corporal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">lance corporal</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergeant"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">sergeant</span></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" style="width: 53.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ø</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 333.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_and_manoeuvre_team"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">fire and manoeuvre team</span></a></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 64.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">2</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" color="#000000 #000000 #999999 #000000" style="width: 214.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border- padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">n/a</span></p> </td> <td valign="top" style="width: 121.0px; background-color: #fffbf8; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; border-color: #000000 #000000 #999999 #000000; padding: 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px 8.0px"> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 13.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">any/</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_(rank)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">private first class</span></a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">source -Wikipedia</span></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Operational Command</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Various formations are also raised from time to time to suit various security requirements in the country. The Army at present has deployed 12 Divisions, 8 task forces and several independent brigades. Each division is commanded by a General Officer Commanding in the rank of Major General(or Brigadier). Except for the 11 Division based at the Panagoda Cantonment which is responsible for the maintenance of capability for the defence of the capital, all other divisions are deployed for operations in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka, coming under three operational commands, which are the Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna (SFHQ-J), Wanni (SFHQ-W) & East (SFHQ-E). Each division is further divided into brigades. Each brigade is commanded by an officer in the rank of Brigadier and has a number of Infantry battalions, support arms (Artillery, Engineers and Signals) and support services (Service Corps, Engineering Services, Ordnance Corps, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) under assigned to it. In other parts of the country, there are Area and Sub-Area Headquarters. Armour, Artillery, Engineers and Signals Units are grouped under Brigade Headquarters of their own arm; Armored Brigade, Artillery Brigade and so on.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Combat formations</span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna (SFHQ-J)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 51 Division, based in Jaffna</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 52 Division, based in the Jaffna Peninsula</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 53 Division, based in Elephant Pass, Jaffna Peninsula[29]</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> o Mechanized Infantry Brigade</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> o Air Mobile Brigade</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 55 Division, in Elephant Pass, Jaffna Peninsula</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Armored Brigade</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Security Forces Headquarters - Wanni (SFHQ-W) [30]</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 56 Division, operating in the Vavuniya District</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 57 Division, operating in the Mullativu District</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> o 57-1 Brigade</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> o 57-2 Brigade</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> o 57-3 Brigade</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> o 57-4 Brigade</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 58 Division, operating in Elephant Pass (formally refereed to as the Task Force 1)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> o 58-1 Brigade</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> o 58-2 Brigade</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> o 58-3 Brigade</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> o Commando 2 Brigade</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 59 Division, operating in Mullaittivu District</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> o 59-1 Brigade</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> o 59-2 Brigade</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> o 59-3 Brigade</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 61 Division, operating in the Vavuniya District</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Task Force 2, operating in the Mullattivu District</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Task Force 3, operating in the Mullattivu District</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Task Force 4, operating in the Mullattivu District</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Task Force 5,Mannar District</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Task Force 6,Pooneryn(Killinochchi District)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Task Force 7,EPS(Jaffna District)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * Task Force 8,PTK(Mullativu DIstrict)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Security Forces Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 21 Division, based in Trincomalee District</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 22 Division, based in Trincomalee</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 23 Division, based in Poonani, Batticaloa District</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Independent</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 11 Division, based at the Panagoda Cantonment, Western Province</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Disbanded</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 54 Division, based at Elephant Pass</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 2 Division</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> * 3 Division</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">sources-Ministry of Defence,Sri Lanka Army,Wikipedia</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Await an update on the latest news from the battlefront</span></span></span></p><p></p>||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-59927139112121427832009-03-08T04:51:00.000-07:002009-03-14T09:22:36.702-07:00Tigers making their last stand<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv60univcs3z1zHkbSawXbgGw6TA8d_kHAQVHQhE01Va_FzlU0vraCjKnt4UUuFXqRrj1QViY-Gtj8miapxRCmx3YqMnMmS_OKfCUynu-sgJWiOvkVLtVvyTIZ1R4McUqrxZFmW-3CGI7/s1600-h/300px-SLACR_butsalute.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAv60univcs3z1zHkbSawXbgGw6TA8d_kHAQVHQhE01Va_FzlU0vraCjKnt4UUuFXqRrj1QViY-Gtj8miapxRCmx3YqMnMmS_OKfCUynu-sgJWiOvkVLtVvyTIZ1R4McUqrxZFmW-3CGI7/s320/300px-SLACR_butsalute.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313079478758304578" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Fighting escalated between the Sri Lanka Army(SLA) and the LTTE terrorists on last Wednesday(4th) when the Tigers launched a pre-dawn offensive targeting the 58th and the 55th divisions of SLA.Tigers taking cover from the, dark advanced among a group of about 700 civilians.Cadres from the so called elite units of LTTE,Imran Pandya,Charles Anthony and Radha regiments participated in this cowardly attack.Although some claim that SLA was informed by MI(Military Intelligence) about this attack,we can confirm that they were not.But the valiant troops of the 58th division faced this attack and completely repulsed it.The infantry troop who were at the FDL identified the terrorists and prepared for battle.Although the troops withdrew from the FDL,later with the support of commandos of the Commando 2 regiment(attached to 58 division) boxed the tigers and began to hunt them down.On Thursday they had killed more than 120 terrorists and found 46 bodies the same day.The tigers had withdrawn with their wounded and bodies the day before, after the humiliating defeat.It was revealed later that these cadres have come to push back the troops further towards Chalai area and occupy the southern part of Chalai.The fact that they had brought food and other supplies for over 1 and half months show that the tigers have had big plans.But the timely action taken by the SLA commanders and the unmatchable skill of the commandos ,SLA was able to prevent a disaster.<br /></div><br />At present the troops of the 58th division operating in the ampalwanpokkanei general area have laid siege on the CSZ.Reports indicate that infantry troops are stationed some 300m outside the safe zone while the forward elements are engaging the enemy in small attacks to enable civilians to enter government held zones.<br /><br />In the Puthukuduirippu(PTK) front the tigers are desperately offering stiff resistance to the troops which is at the moment the only option left for them other than jumping in to the sea and surrendering to the SLA.Fierce fighting is raging in the eastern and the north eastern borders of PTK.Troops engaged in neutralizing the enemy will be able to breakthrough soon as tigers are loosing their cadre in high numbers on an hourly basis.Casualties on SLA is also at a high level but it is extremely low compared to the LTTE casualties.However the rumour that the war will be over in 72(or 48)hrs is a completely false claim by the SLA to stir the LTTE and their sympathizers.But we at CeylonDefence can confirm that the conventional war will be over in less than 3 weeks.||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-80168249792930809792009-03-02T23:13:00.000-08:002009-03-03T01:41:46.837-08:00හමුදව පුතුකුදුඉරිප්පු මංසන්දිය අත්පත් කර ගනීශ්රි ලංකා යුද හමුදාවේ 58 හා 53 වන සෙනාංක වල රණවිරුවෝ පසුගියදා රත්රියේ සිට පැවති දරුණු සටන් වලින් අනතුරුව අද උදේ පුතුකුඩුරිප්පු මංසන්දිය අල්ලා ගැනීමට සමත් වූහ.ඒ 35 මාර්ගයට දකුනින් පැමිණි 53 වන සේනාංකය හා උතුරින් පැමිනි 58 වන සේනාංකය පුතුකුඩිරිප්පු මංසන්දියෙදී මුනගැසෙමින් මෙම විජයග්රහනය වාර්තා කලහ.මෙම ජයග්රහනයත් සමග කොටි ත්රස්තවාදින් සතුව පැවති අවසන් බලකොටුවත් ඔවුන්ට අහිමි විය.මෙම සති කිහිපය ඇතුලත කොටි නායකයින් මෙන්ම ඔවුන්ගේ බර අවි විශාල තොගයක්ද අල්ලා ගනිමට හමුදාවට හැකි වෙනු ඇත.<br /><br />තවද අපට ලැබී අති තොරතුරු වලට අනුව හමුදවේ 58 සෙනාංකය ඉරන්පලේ ප්රදේශයට ඇතුල් වී ඇත.ලැබූ සැනින් වැඩි විස්තර ඔබ වෙත ගෙන ඒමට අපි බැඳි සිටිමු.||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-70273343746791571712009-02-24T11:34:00.000-08:002009-02-25T06:29:43.336-08:00Breaking News-Puthukudirippu has fallen<span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br />Update</span><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sri</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lanka</span> Army which entered the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Puthukudurippu</span> town area are now conducting operations to take control over the town.<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">SLA</span> 58<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span> division and the newly formed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">TF</span> 8 entered the town after <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">breaching</span> the earth <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">bund</span>.Though the town is virtually under <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">SLA</span> ,pockets of terrorists are still offering resistance delaying the complete capture.We believe that the government will <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">announce</span> the fall as soon as the area is under full control.There have been high casualties for both sides during the confrontations that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">took</span> place in the past few days.<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">SLA</span> has <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">suffered</span> as high as 600 casualties in the past 4 days fighting.Fortunately most are P3 and P2 (wounded).Yesterday alone, around 25 solders were killed in action.The civilian factor has contributed a lot to this.They have limited the use of heavy weapons as well as the rapid movement of soldiers.<br /><br />We have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">received</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">news</span> that the military command is preparing to stop the offensive of normal infantry and bring in Special Forces and Commandos to the battlefield as soon as the army <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">surrounds</span> the Civilian Safety Zone(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">CSZ</span>).The special units will conduct operations backed by normal <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">infantry when</span> this time comes.But this is still UNCONFIRMED.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">.......................................................................................................................................................................</span><br /><br /><br />Army sources reveal that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">PTK</span></span>,the final bastion town of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">LTTE</span></span> has fallen to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">SLA</span></span>.Troops entered the town after breaking through the last <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">FDL</span></span> of the tigers this morning.Now the area is being cleared and the town will be declared captured tonight or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">tomorrow</span>.More information will follow...||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-75152039221278581002009-02-23T00:54:00.001-08:002009-02-23T01:25:05.495-08:00Congratulations SLAF!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1zcmrHJ9TAbpWitv19cgiXCs3S83DStfvVyG7Ck3OOlU21_PP1m0fHIM7rjTU8cTlN3sTOE9RCnt6Pw4JjNUoxErGCrneodA8ZQpxmfVYnREjTMrP2JgQgD105klz2oph3vTWRsN7Zkx/s1600-h/20090221_C02.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1zcmrHJ9TAbpWitv19cgiXCs3S83DStfvVyG7Ck3OOlU21_PP1m0fHIM7rjTU8cTlN3sTOE9RCnt6Pw4JjNUoxErGCrneodA8ZQpxmfVYnREjTMrP2JgQgD105klz2oph3vTWRsN7Zkx/s320/20090221_C02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305915914292214402" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size:78%;"> The Z-143 downed at Katunayake</span><br /></div><br /><br />We at CeylonDefence congratulate Sri Lanka air Foce for its successful counter action against the TAF air raid.SLAF has been able to finally take a breadth after destroying the Zlin-143s which had questioned SLAFs interceptor abilities.We believe that more information regarding this attack is useless as most people know the basic facts that can be revealed now.We apologize from our readers for not giving an update on time.||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-66023133802967834112009-02-19T10:05:00.000-08:002009-02-19T10:41:39.646-08:00'Puthukuduirippu West' misunderstandingSLA sometime ago declared that the 58th division gained control over west of PTK.This was actually not 'west of PTK' .but PTK west which is a large area covering the PTK area.The east of PTK is a small area west of the Nanthikaddal lagoon.This fact is furthur confirmed by the announcement of Army tonight, that the coastal village located inside the newly declared CSZ,Ampalawanpokkanai has been ovverun by the 58th div.Refer to the map in the link given below for further understanding of the ground situation.It is very unfortunate that the map at. Defence.lk is not properly updated for the war observers to get an idea.<br /><br />http://www.ifsp-srilanka.org/html/administrative_map_mullativu.html<br /><br /><br />Due to these developments we at CeylonDefence can predict the uniting of SL under 1 flag in a few weeks.||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-2814619320005443782009-02-18T06:25:00.000-08:002009-02-19T03:13:33.897-08:00UpdateArmy sources reveal that LTTEs last bastion Puthukudirippu (PTK) is about to fall to SLA troops.According to sources, forward elements have already infiltrated the base and are preparing the background for the final push.The fall of PTK will cause a major blow to the tigers as most of their leaders are believed to be the area.Lots of military hardware is also left in PTK ,which are now hurriedly being moved to the new safe zone.We will update with more information soon.||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-13927583140515911832009-02-12T07:54:00.001-08:002009-02-12T08:31:08.522-08:00The New Civilian Safety Zone<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6dldnESPO9uwoie9JkkOhkzK4b2TqnUvrBG3TXc_9GODeLsk6EYfVGzaEr0fos0SAVfCgUZbaXClmve5vaqBc9WqdwMknBA3giBop1ne04SJ1f4VV4m1-7PUGLFobWZ6DtBVszsZ63Vd/s1600-h/New+Safe+Zone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6dldnESPO9uwoie9JkkOhkzK4b2TqnUvrBG3TXc_9GODeLsk6EYfVGzaEr0fos0SAVfCgUZbaXClmve5vaqBc9WqdwMknBA3giBop1ne04SJ1f4VV4m1-7PUGLFobWZ6DtBVszsZ63Vd/s320/New+Safe+Zone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301940071203333570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The boders of the new Civilian Safety Zone (CSZ)</span><br /></div><br /><br />Today the government announced a new Civilian Safety Zone (CSZ) for the civilians in the LTTE dominated areas.According to GoSL ,this new safe zone will come into effect from today(February 12th).Although on the surface this declaration appears to be done to ensure the safety of civilians,this is actually a clever military tactic most probably proposed by Gen.Fonseka.That is why we chose to discuss this topic in this 'defence' blog.<br /><br />The new CSZ or the 'no fire zone' brings many advantages to the SLA in their military operation.As we see,the main advantage to the SLA is the ability to take control over the areas in and around the previous CSZ.Most of the divisions have surrounded the old safe zone ,but were unable to move into it due to obvious reasons.Although the 58th division has crept into it,official announcement was not done due to the same reason.The presence of civilians has also dropped the pace of the operation.So with this new move we can expect the 58th,57th divisions and the task forces 2,3,4 to accelerate their move.<br /><br />The 55th division moving southwards from Challai and the 59th division moving northwards from north of Mullative and south of PTK have been bogged down due to stiff resistance from the terrorists and also as I mentioned in the previous post,numerous mines.The new CSZ covers most of the areas there 2 divisions were unable to capture.So obviously this declaration is of great advantage to SLA.<br /><br />The other advantage is the ability generated to take down the remaining artillery guns of LTTE.The heavy guns of LTTE which were previously placed in the CSZ now have to be moved into the new place as those areas will be acquired by SLA in the coming days.We believe that even as of this moment SLAF is targeting the artillery guns of LTTE which are being moved.But the task has been made difficult by the terrorists as they move the guns along with civilians.<br /><br />But this move of GoSL will no doubt bring great results.So some good news will come out in the coming days.We at CeylonDefence would like to know your opinion about this declaration.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">We recommend our readers to see the new article of 'The Long Ranger'.A link to the blog space</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">can be found in</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">our website.</span></span>||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-72489858759174163702009-02-09T14:51:00.000-08:002009-02-09T01:26:42.952-08:00Battle for the last bastion commences<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDECiVWDhFDwrOEkQuwydnlBPatomlS8NQdJv_arDL1EfXejJTA-7ATBVyL2ZI-GzgGYufxKmLx2uG8drOFxJqir2ZyRWbFukAfC1ZI_LC5rEmuOOJ-o94qncz1xypBgqYWI6jRps4e3r/s1600-h/map.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDECiVWDhFDwrOEkQuwydnlBPatomlS8NQdJv_arDL1EfXejJTA-7ATBVyL2ZI-GzgGYufxKmLx2uG8drOFxJqir2ZyRWbFukAfC1ZI_LC5rEmuOOJ-o94qncz1xypBgqYWI6jRps4e3r/s320/map.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300719380861084706" border="0" /></a><br /> Sri Lanka Army has now begun the battle for the last LTTE bastion Puthukuduirippu(PTK).Sources reveal that forward elements of SLA has already entered the town and are in the process of neutralizing the enemy for the infantry to enter.The 58th division from the south and the south east,TF4 from the south west are participating in the battle.The 53rd division is also participating as a backup division.All these army formations provide a man power the LTTE who is left with only about 1000-1500 hardcore cadres cannot withstand.Although the army believes that PTK will fall within 3-4 days the LTTE will continue to fight as it would still dominate the jungles north of PTK.But we believe that the whole enemy territory would be cleared by the end of next month.<br /><br />While the above mentioned divisions are advancing from the south the 55th division is advancing in a southerly direction south of Chalai.Although the security forces are in a hurry to clear the coast, progress has been halted mainly due to natural barriers.As in the above map the 55th division and a part of the 59th division are both facing 2 water patches which have halted them.The numerous mines have also contributed to the slow movement.It will not be long before these divisions overcome the barriers and advance to meet up..The 55th division under the command of former SF officer Prasanna Silva has used some unconventional tactics which had left the terrorists in complete disarray and the 59th division has also shown colours by dominating the former military base of the LTTE.<br /><br />The recent civilian influx has mirrored that the LTTE is losing its control over the civilians showing that the organization has completely dwindled.It has also led to the use of utterly foolish tactics.Trying to infiltrate the army FDL using an armored truck is an example.It left 34 of their hard-cores dead.Other tactics used by them to annihilate as much as possible SLA soldiers saw the same fate.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Out of the estimated 5000 cadre strong force of the LTTE ,SLA believes that about 3500 are forced recruits.So after about 1000 hard-core cadres get killed it likely that we ,Sri Lankans will achieve our goal....Total liberation.<br /></div>||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-9647136462669996642009-02-09T10:31:00.000-08:002009-02-14T01:29:41.552-08:00Previous post corrected.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1txDkFmY-xC4qxaPIhvsnYGdI-EVYfmoJaxIhMTcZ9V2cR-i3dGJawW-u1SAEXgTrUZMeKRL-HE3LDwirRRvrwnVeKKnGpvkjDnUGo7FVNW4l3yamY4oskUVmjutrg63bbHHIbQr1aYaN/s1600-h/1_11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1txDkFmY-xC4qxaPIhvsnYGdI-EVYfmoJaxIhMTcZ9V2cR-i3dGJawW-u1SAEXgTrUZMeKRL-HE3LDwirRRvrwnVeKKnGpvkjDnUGo7FVNW4l3yamY4oskUVmjutrg63bbHHIbQr1aYaN/s320/1_11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300722761066864866" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" >The destroyed,armored Ashok Leyland lorry</span><br /></div><br />In the previous post we published that an LTTE APC was destroyed .Although there was some doubt earlier,now it is confirmed from photos published on Army.lk that it was not an APC but an armored lorry(Ashok Leyland type) that was destroyed.We apologize our readers for misinformation.||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621283946000394065.post-90908178134928383722009-02-08T02:33:00.000-08:002009-02-08T04:12:27.165-08:00LTTE APC destroyed-34 terrorists killed<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lankadailynews.com/wp-content/gallery/sri-lanka-army/btr-80_sri-lankan_news_003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 258px;" src="http://lankadailynews.com/wp-content/gallery/sri-lanka-army/btr-80_sri-lankan_news_003.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">APCs(Armored Personnel Carrier)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> of SLA</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">53 DIVISION troops with assistant of armor troops prevented an LTTE infiltration attempt through the Security Forces Forward Defence Line (FDL) in the south of PUTHUKUDIYIRIPPU Saturday (7) afternoon.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Thirty-four terrorists in an armor-plated lorry were approaching the FDL at high speed when the troops assisted by armor tank fire destroyed vehicle killing allthe terrorist in side.<br /><br />During subsequent such, troops found thirty-four dead bodies of terrorist along with their weapons. <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />(source-Army.lk)</span><br /></span></div></div>||::CeylonDefence::||http://www.blogger.com/profile/18373770239616759558noreply@blogger.com3