BADGES AND CERTIFICATES AWARDING CEREMONY OF NO.50 OFFICERS, NO.08 FOREIGN STUDENTS, NO.66 AIRMEN, NO.19 AIRWOMEN AND NO.41 NAVY PERSONNEL EOD BASIC COURSES
The Certificates and Badges Awarding Ceremony for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Basic Course was held today (25 June 2026) at SLAF Station Palavi. Twenty-eight (28) personnel representing the SLAF, SL Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force successfully completed their rigorous EOD training.
The occasion was graced by the Director Personnel and Planning of the Directorate of Ground Operations at Air Force Headquarters, Air Commodore Manoj Galappaththi, who attended as the Chief Guest. He was accompanied by the Commanding Officer of SLAF Station Palavi, Air Commodore Nishantha Priyadarshana.
The EOD Basic Course was conducted with the objective of developing highly skilled professionals capable of identifying, neutralizing, and disposing of explosive threats in complex and high-risk environments. The course further enhanced participants’ competencies in counter-terrorism operations, disaster response, and overall operational readiness within the armed forces.
The passing-out parade comprised two SLAF Officers, one Naval Officer, one Foreign Student, sixteen Airmen, five Airwomen and three Sailors from the SL Navy. The parade was commanded by the Officer-in-Charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training School (EODTS), Squadron Leader Hiran Pathirana.
A total of twenty-eight (28) trainees were awarded certificates and EOD badges, formally recognizing the successful completion of the Basic EOD Course.
Special award winners of the courses are as follows.
BEST IN ALL ROUND EOD - OFFICER
Flying Officer KR Rajapaksha
BEST IN ALL ROUND EOD - OTHER RANKS
Able Infantryman AGDSK Chandrasiri
BEST STUDENT IN ACADEMICS
Able Infantryman AGDSK Chandrasiri
BEST IN PRACTICAL
Able Seaman (DV) SM Bandara
BEST IED FABRICATER
Private Ashjau Ashraf Abdulla (Maldives National Defence Forces)
BEST IN PHYSICAL FITNESS
Leading Aircraftman Priyashan RLAS
The occasion was graced by the Director Personnel and Planning of the Directorate of Ground Operations at Air Force Headquarters, Air Commodore Manoj Galappaththi, who attended as the Chief Guest. He was accompanied by the Commanding Officer of SLAF Station Palavi, Air Commodore Nishantha Priyadarshana.
The EOD Basic Course was conducted with the objective of developing highly skilled professionals capable of identifying, neutralizing, and disposing of explosive threats in complex and high-risk environments. The course further enhanced participants’ competencies in counter-terrorism operations, disaster response, and overall operational readiness within the armed forces.
The passing-out parade comprised two SLAF Officers, one Naval Officer, one Foreign Student, sixteen Airmen, five Airwomen and three Sailors from the SL Navy. The parade was commanded by the Officer-in-Charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training School (EODTS), Squadron Leader Hiran Pathirana.
A total of twenty-eight (28) trainees were awarded certificates and EOD badges, formally recognizing the successful completion of the Basic EOD Course.
Special award winners of the courses are as follows.
BEST IN ALL ROUND EOD - OFFICER
Flying Officer KR Rajapaksha
BEST IN ALL ROUND EOD - OTHER RANKS
Able Infantryman AGDSK Chandrasiri
BEST STUDENT IN ACADEMICS
Able Infantryman AGDSK Chandrasiri
BEST IN PRACTICAL
Able Seaman (DV) SM Bandara
BEST IED FABRICATER
Private Ashjau Ashraf Abdulla (Maldives National Defence Forces)
BEST IN PHYSICAL FITNESS
Leading Aircraftman Priyashan RLAS
