Sri Lankan 4th ARMOURED REGIMENT - Foreign Military Studies ...
Sri Lankan 4th ARMOURED REGIMENT - Foreign Military Studies ...
Sri Lankan 4th ARMOURED REGIMENT - Foreign Military Studies ...
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were of little significance. The hostsspoke very little and expected us toaccept the twenty five tanks chosen bythem without causing anyinconvenience. Following a casual walkaround the huge yard, we saw new tanksthat had hardly been used. They werescattered and mixed up in a huge mazeof steel. It was stunning spectacle to seesuch a huge collection of battle tanks.One wondered what devastation therewould have been, had the Warsaw Pactfought a war with NATO in EasternEurope.The <strong>Sri</strong> Lanka team membershad a daunting task ahead of them topersuade the uncompromising CzechArmy hosts to agree to sell the betterweapons. It meant churning-up the entireyard just to pull-out a few good tanks.Traditional <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lankan</strong> charm did notbring the desired results until one of usinquisitively scanning the Gold Leafcigarettes smoked by some teammembers. That gave us a hopefulbreakthrough. Cigarettes were politelyoffered and there was a spontaneouschange in body language and attitude.They were now willing to move a few ofthe good tanks but not all of them. Astime passed team members were able tobreak the ice and generate some friendlyconversation. It was casually mentionedthat back home, <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lankan</strong> militaryfolks enjoyed a good drink and ScotchWhiskey was the preference. The Czechswere told there were enough stocks inthe hotel and an invitation was extendedfor an evening get-together. The hostsheaded by a senior regional tankformation commander dropped by at thehotel later in the day. Duty exemptedwhiskey carried by the team wasgenerously offered.noticed young Czech soldiers6