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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

Russian Donation to Army De-miners Expected to Speed Up De-mining in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Army Humanitarian De-mining Unit (SLAHDU), the only government and indigenous self-reliant organization, engaged in Sri Lanka’s de-mining work, received a heartening stimulus when the Russian Federation, appreciative of de-mining roles in Sri Lanka, donated four MV4 machines, fast moving spares, 100 jackets, 100 metal detectors and 100 visor helmets to the Army on Thursday (3) at Ministry of Defence and Urban Development grounds, Colombo 3.

The Ambassador for the Russian Federation, Mr Vladimir P. Mikhaylov during the simple ceremony for official handover, symbolically exchanged certificates of acceptance of those equipment and spares with Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who graced the occasion as a distinguished invitee. 

In turn, Mr Rajapaksa handed over those documents to Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army to signify the acceptance of equipment by the SLAHDU.

The ceremony, attended by Dr P.B Jayasundara, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economic Development, Mr K. Amunugama, Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Mr Andrey Kabanov, Deputy Director, Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequence of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM), Russia, Ms Tatiana Ozerova, EMERCOM, Russia, Dr Vladimir Kuvshinov, Deputy Secretary General from International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO), Geneva, Ms Saltanat Tashmatova, ICDO, Geneva, Defence Attaches, Director Mine Action Centre of Sri Lanka and a host of Senior Army Officers, was addressed by Brigadier Dhananjith Karunaratne, Commander, Engineer Brigade and the Ambassador to the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka.

Today’s donation, valued at Rs 301 million expects to enhance the humanitarian de-mining capability of the SLAHDU further, and enables Army de-miners to speed up the process in achieving a mine-free Sri Lanka. To this date, DOK-ING, the suppliers of those machines, 16 in total with the new four units has provided instructional expertise to SLAHDU operators, mechanics and electricians.     
         
Sri Lanka Army de-miners, the first to formally engage in de-mining in February 2002, in support of the government’s programme for re-settlement and rehabilitation, estimated that about 6215 sq kms of area remained contaminated of mines and explosive remnants as the War came to an end in the year 2009, but it was later found that confirmed hazardous areas were restricted only to an area of about 2046 sq kms.

However, all agencies involved in de-mining in Sri Lanka by 30 September 2011 were able to clear 1912 sq kms and the remaining contaminated area, is now restricted only to about 133 sq kms, but it is infested with very high density of mines, traps and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), Brigadier Karunaratne told the occasion delivering the formal welcome note. The ceremony ended with a brief address by the Ambassador to the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka and a brief inspection of the donated items.