Mr. Dominique Morin (Momo), a French national (age 54) died in an accidental mine blast on 10 May 2010 in Kakayankulam after being admitted to the Vavuniya General Hospital. At the time of Momo’s demise, he was working for the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) in Sri Lanka as a Senior Technical Advisor. FSD is a Switzerland based international non-governmental organization, engaged in mine clearing in the North of Sri Lanka. Momo was the first international de-miner casualty in Sri Lanka.
Late Momo’s first death anniversary was held on 10 May 2011 in Kakayankulam, West of Mannar District where the tragic incident occurred. At the ceremony, the placement of a monument in memory of late Momo took place under the patronage of a distinguished gathering, including the District Secretary/Government Agent (GA) Mannar Mr. Nagalingam Vethanayahan, Brigadier Ajith Kariyakarawana, General Officer Commanding 61 Division, Sri Lanka Police Department officials, UNDP Mine Action Programme, UNICEF, and other de-mining agencies including HALO Trust, MAG, DDG, Sarvastra, Horizen, MMIPE, and Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines. Over six hundred FSD de-miners and resettled people in the area joined the commemoration ceremony.
Late Momo’s military career lasted for 28 years as a Navy Seal in French Navy. He specialized in the underwater mines clearance, counter-terrorism and counter-pirate activities. After his military career, Momo joined the FSD and entered humanitarian de-mining sector, working in a variety of countries, such as DRC, The Congo, Lebanon, Albania, Iraq, Sudan, Loa, Guinea Bissau, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka. He also worked for the MAG and Handicap International (France) over the past decade.
During the commemorative ceremony Mr. Nigel A. Robinson, Country Programme Manager of FSD said “Everyday people like Momo dedicate their lives and their extraordinary skills towards helping people who cannot help themselves-the world’s poor and disenfranchised who by lack of choice are forced to live their lives surrounded by landmines in villages and communities all around the world. It is the work of people like Momo and many of the people here today that transforms these peoples’ lives, never seeking recognition or reward but always striving to achieve extraordinary things in the most difficult of circumstances. For those of you here that worked with Momo, you will remember a kind and strong man who had a heart of gold and who genuinely cared for the members in his team. Perhaps a good indication about the sort of man Momo was is that every time he left a country to move on to the next challenge, he gave away all of his possessions to the local people. In addition, his wife ‘Murielle’ would also send personal effects from France for him to distribute to those most in need. Momo was a good man”.
Mr. Nigel further said that “As we remember the events of one year ago and dedicate this memorial to our extraordinary friend, it is to the future that we must look. Momo did not give his life in vain; he gave it, as it says on the memorial stone, so that the people of Sri Lanka can live safe and peaceful lives. For now is the moment for the people of this country - after many decades of the conflict the opportunity for peace is with us and with hard work and soft hearts, Sri Lanka will find its way to a brighter future. Let Momo’s life be an inspiration to us all of what can be achieved by those dedicated enough to make extraordinarily things happen”.
Sri Lanka works toward becoming a mine-free nation and the late Momo will be an inspiration in this endeavor to all of us and also those who supports a mine free world. (Adapted Version, Courtesy Sri Lanka Guardian Web Edition)
Late Momo’s first death anniversary was held on 10 May 2011 in Kakayankulam, West of Mannar District where the tragic incident occurred. At the ceremony, the placement of a monument in memory of late Momo took place under the patronage of a distinguished gathering, including the District Secretary/Government Agent (GA) Mannar Mr. Nagalingam Vethanayahan, Brigadier Ajith Kariyakarawana, General Officer Commanding 61 Division, Sri Lanka Police Department officials, UNDP Mine Action Programme, UNICEF, and other de-mining agencies including HALO Trust, MAG, DDG, Sarvastra, Horizen, MMIPE, and Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines. Over six hundred FSD de-miners and resettled people in the area joined the commemoration ceremony.
Late Momo’s military career lasted for 28 years as a Navy Seal in French Navy. He specialized in the underwater mines clearance, counter-terrorism and counter-pirate activities. After his military career, Momo joined the FSD and entered humanitarian de-mining sector, working in a variety of countries, such as DRC, The Congo, Lebanon, Albania, Iraq, Sudan, Loa, Guinea Bissau, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka. He also worked for the MAG and Handicap International (France) over the past decade.
During the commemorative ceremony Mr. Nigel A. Robinson, Country Programme Manager of FSD said “Everyday people like Momo dedicate their lives and their extraordinary skills towards helping people who cannot help themselves-the world’s poor and disenfranchised who by lack of choice are forced to live their lives surrounded by landmines in villages and communities all around the world. It is the work of people like Momo and many of the people here today that transforms these peoples’ lives, never seeking recognition or reward but always striving to achieve extraordinary things in the most difficult of circumstances. For those of you here that worked with Momo, you will remember a kind and strong man who had a heart of gold and who genuinely cared for the members in his team. Perhaps a good indication about the sort of man Momo was is that every time he left a country to move on to the next challenge, he gave away all of his possessions to the local people. In addition, his wife ‘Murielle’ would also send personal effects from France for him to distribute to those most in need. Momo was a good man”.
Mr. Nigel further said that “As we remember the events of one year ago and dedicate this memorial to our extraordinary friend, it is to the future that we must look. Momo did not give his life in vain; he gave it, as it says on the memorial stone, so that the people of Sri Lanka can live safe and peaceful lives. For now is the moment for the people of this country - after many decades of the conflict the opportunity for peace is with us and with hard work and soft hearts, Sri Lanka will find its way to a brighter future. Let Momo’s life be an inspiration to us all of what can be achieved by those dedicated enough to make extraordinarily things happen”.
Sri Lanka works toward becoming a mine-free nation and the late Momo will be an inspiration in this endeavor to all of us and also those who supports a mine free world. (Adapted Version, Courtesy Sri Lanka Guardian Web Edition)
.jpg) |
.jpg) |
(1).jpg) |
