US supports demining

Army Engineers get more equipment:

The US government has pledged continued support to demining tasks being successfully undertaken by Army Engineers. The US has donated a new stock of safety equipment for the use of army deminers engaged in humanitarian demining work in the North.

The gifted stock containing visors, parts of helmet that can be used to cover eyes and face while demining and Deminer Protective Equipment, the kit that covers the whole body of a deminer, was handed over recently to Chief Field Engineer Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara by acting US Deputy Chief of Mission Edward P. Heartney during a brief ceremony at Sri Lanka Army’s School of Engineers in Embilipitiya.

Heartney commended the Army for its commitment to accelerated demining work and the ongoing resettlement program.

The US government, was prepared to extend further assistance to the Army Engineers for their humanitarian demining projects in the future too, since Army Engineers were performing a commendable job in the North, the US diplomat told the gathering.

Chief Field Engineer Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara acknowledging the donation on behalf of the Army recalled previous gestures of US support given to the Army for commencement and expedition of Army spearheaded demining projects in affected areas. Here are excerpts of his speech on the occasion:

“This marks one more important phase of Sri Lanka’s ongoing demining work, which has now drawn the international attention, particularly in the aftermath of the successful completion of the 30-year long cycle of terrorism that immensely impeded our country’s growth and prosperity.

War is always short-lived but its repercussions, as we ourselves presently experience, are always more dangerous and demanding.

The War, this man-made disaster, not only claimed so many precious lives in our island, but also shattered our hopes for a peaceful and decent living, too.

The demining process needs meticulous handling as the terrorists have spread them everywhere as they wished, in many cases on the perimeters of human settlements where they too took cover to strike against armed forces,” Brigadier Nanayakkara said.

The Army Engineers in close alliance with other government and non-governmental agents are now embarked on development-oriented projects, to ensure living standards and resettling people.

Another facet to the whole project is the marked increase of Army manpower for demining projects in the Vanni as the government’s development program for the North, Uthuru Wasanthaya got underway with an accelerated pace, attracting more and more displaced people for resettlement.

Our support for this task continues to receive support from other international donors.