COLOMBO, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lanka Army on Wednesday said it would hold the largest ever military exercise in July to coincide with 10 years since the end of the island's 30-year civil conflict between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels.
In a statement, the army said the month-long military exercise will begin on July 1, with the participation of over 5,000 soldiers.
The program titled, "Exercise -- Western Shield," will extend from Mannar, in the north to Puttalam, in the north western province, including Kalpitiya, Wilpattu National Park, Mavillu and Thabbowa Forest Reserves and the Western Coastal Belt.
The exercise will provide the opportunity for army trainees to march through those areas which are not usually accessible to others except for forest conservation authorities, the army said.
The army further said that army personnel would also be trained to stay well-attuned, refreshed and upgraded to meet with any future warfare threat.
"'Exercise -- Western Shield', the biggest ever infantry training module, will make a milestone in the army history," the army said.
