These men will be the first line of defence in the digital domain, as we encounter and mitigate cyber threats which are now common in western nations. Cyber crime can originate from one solitary user and cause chaos.
The Signal Corps of the Sri Lanka Army celebrates a significant milestone in 2018: completing 75 years of service to the nation. Communication is the topmost element in any organization and the SLSC has come a very long way from its primitive years to using state of the art space age technology. In order to witness their progress I visited their headquarters at the Panagoda Army Cantonment. As we mounted the stairs I noticed beautiful cabinet displaying the sword used by its first Commanding Officer Colonel. D.V. Brohier.
Although the Corps of Signal was inaugurated on 19 October 1943, its history dates back to the First War. The first Signal Company was formed under the Ceylon Engineers. Most of the officers and other ranks were foreigners.. At the early stages the only means of communication were flags, lamps, heliographs and dispatch riders. Wireless communication was not in use.
At the outbreak of hostilities of World War II, the entire Signal Company was mobilized and sent to Trincomalee keeping very small detachment in Colombo to provide a wireless link. In the next two years the Signal Company expanded rapidly to meet the growing communication demands.. In March 1942 three more Sergeants were received their commission as Second Lieutenant one of them is the Father of Signals, late Colonel D V Brohier.
During the World War II and after the fall of Singapore, Sri Lanka became a place of strategic importance. The allied forces had established the Army Command at Colombo and Signal Corps HQ at Campbell Park -Borella. Allied troops began pouring in to the Island. The vital importance of Signals had by now become evident and in a short time a notification in the government gazette announced the formation of the Ceylon Signal Corps as form 19th October 1943 During this stage Ceylon Signal Corps troops had the opportunity to work in close co-operation with the Royal Corps of Signals in providing communication over the whole of the Island. After the cessation of hostilities in Europe in May 1945, a gradual repatriation of British officers and men commenced and by August 1945 most of the British personnel had gone back to their country.
Lt.Colonel Chandana Arangalla went onto explain” The Signal Corps has endured a long journey to its present state. We have our Signals training school at Kandy, where all officers and other ranks must follow a basic course”. The signalers use 3 kinds of communication- radio communication, line communication and radio relay communication. They communicate via HF (high frequency) and VHF (very high frequency) sets. The members of the Signal Corps made a massive yet silent contribution during the long years when we were confronting terrorism. The signalers were the key link with ground troops- linking command headquarters and even coordinating airstrikes via the Air Force.
Communication was literally a lifeline that saved thousands of innocent civilians. Just like in the English movie “Wind talkers” the operators used to intercept and detect enemy communications and also identify the location of enemy transmission by taking a grid bearing via the DF (direction finder equipment).From using field phones to the resilient cougar handsets today the men and women of SLSC have graduated to using drone technology to relay real time information to ground commanders. As we walked into their Research and Development area officers were using drone based technology to enhance communication. The corps also operates an array of sophisticated radars, some which can be vehicle mounted. In keeping with global terror threats the Signal Corps has launched its first Cyber Security Regiment in 2017. These men will be the first line of defence in the digital domain, as we encounter and mitigate cyber threats which are now common in western nations. Cyber crime can originate from one solitary user and cause chaos.
The Signal Corps also has women officers and soldiers. The young women perform key tasks alongside their male colleagues. One of the dynamic female officers is Major Meegoda, who has the distinction of being the first lady officer to complete and graduate from the Army Staff College, giving her the credentials of psc (passed staff college). The present Colonel Commandant of the Regiment is Major. General. A. Wijesinghe. A plaque at an officers desk captured the essence of the regiment “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge”- Stephen Hawking. The signalers have a great challenge ahead which they will meet with integrity, innovation and consistent observation.
