ARMY'S DEPARTURE FROM CONVENTIONAL ROLES HAILED

Sri Lanka Army's ongoing de-mining role in former war-affected areas received a further boost on Tuesday (15) when the Norwegian People's Aid (Norsk Folk Hjelp) organization through Japanese finance assistance, donated a modern MV 4 Mini Flail Machine to the Army, designed to accelerate the Army's de-mining output.

This new MV-4 Machine is suitable for de-mining house yards, woods, paths, river banks and terrains that are inaccessible to larger ones and is worth over US$ 600,000, according to its local branch of the manufacturing company.

Deputy Chief of Mission for Royal Norwegian Embassy Mr Oddvar Leigaard at a simple ceremony held at Army Headquarters but graced by Ambassadors, Ministry Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, Director Generals,former Chief of Defence Staff General L.P Balagalle and a host of other invitees, including those from agencies such as Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), UNDP, RONCO, HORIZON,

SARVATRA, MMIPE, etc symbolically handed over the remote-controller of the new De-mining Machine to Sri Lanka's Commander of the Army, Lt General Shantha Kottegoda.

Secretary General, Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process Dr Jayantha Dhanapala graced this remarkable occasion as Chief Guest.

Dr Dhanapala during his brief oration paid a tribute to the Army, for its unique departure from the conventional role, to engage in humanitarian de-mining work after turning it out to be the most professional organ for de-mining work in Sri Lanka.

“ In most countries, the Army is identified in laying of mines, but in Sri Lanka we have a unique departure where the Army has become the vanguard of de-mining actions. During my visits, I saw myself how they work with the assistance of the US company, RONCO making a significant contribution to the project in an environment of peace,” Dr Dhanapala added.

“It is a Red Letter Day for all of us in Sri Lanka because clearance of minefields also stimulates the path of peace. Army's departure from its conventional role and to engage in de-mining role as the most professional organ for that work itself is a healthy sign. Those obstacles are also needed to be cleared as we march forward towards the path of peace. If a remote controller, like the one NPA gave today to the Army, could bring about peace, how nice it could be,” Dr Dhanapala quipped.

Underscoring the importance of receiving this fillip to the Army, he further added that the world was still trying to rid the mines laid during the first and second World Wars. “Not only that, this programme should also supplemented with a campaign to rid of Anti-Vehicle Mines and other sophisticated explosive devices. Her Excellency, the President attaches great significance to this area of work, being herself also the Minister for Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction,” he noted.

Lt General Shantha Kottegoda, Commander of the Army acknowledging the receipt of this new equipment to the Army, hailed both Norway and Japan for their excellent gesture of humanitarian help. Here follows the full text of the Army Commander's speech on the occasion.

“Due to the war that raged for nearly two decades Security Forces as well as the LTTE have laid many mines. As per records available, Security Forces alone have laid more than one million mines. It

is assumed that the LTTE too have laid a considerable number of mines of which no records are available.”

“Mine clearance is a tedious and time consuming process. Since signing of the CFA the Army has made a significant contribution towards the national de-mining effort. Progress is slow due to manual methods of de-mining because the Army does not possess mechanical de-mining equipment. Already 46 Army personnel have been injured whilst in the process of de- mining. This could have been avoided if they were provided with proper mechanical de- mining equipment.”

“It was during this time that the government of the United States offered her assistance to train and equip the Army de- miners following an initiative taken by the then Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army,Lt General Lionel Balagalle. Under this programme, training of large numbers commenced from the latter part of the Year 2003. Our capacity was further augmented with mine detection dog teams and a mechanical brush cutter, being added to our effort subsequently. The precious assistance of the United States has enabled the Army to meet the International Mine Action standards through the excellent training conducted by the US RONCO Consulting Corporation in the spheres of Mine Action Management, Basic and Advance Trauma Life Support, Mechanical Vegetation Removal and Mine Detection Dog Assisted Clearance. More than 400 Officers and men have been trained and equipped up to now and more troops will be trained in the current year as well under the United States - assisted programme.”

“The Army has now become probably the one and only self- sufficient indigenous de-mining force in Sri Lanka whose tool box is versatile. All the Army humanitarian de-mining resources will be placed under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation (Triple R), shortly to function as the De-mining Unit of Triple R Ministry. The Government of Japan has already assured her assistance to this unit. The Army is committed to the government's endeavour to make Sri Lanka a mine – affected free country before the Year 2007. However, this target demands more assistance from friendly donor countries in terms of mechanical equipment.”

“We are grateful to the Norwegian People's Aid which facilitated this programme, in particular Mr Luke Atkinson who was instrumental in initiating it and working hard towards its success. It wouldn't have been possible without their tireless effort. Last but not least, I also wish to thank the National Steering Committee for Mine Action; the focal point of the entire national mine action programme, for their invaluable and unwavering cooperation extended to the Army all the way, in this regard.”

His Excellencies Akio Suda, Ambassador of Japan, Deputy Chief of Mission for Norwegian Embassy Oddvar Leigarrd, representing Norwegian Ambassador, Secretary for Ministry for Triple R & Chairman on Sub-Committee for Mine Action Mr M. S Jayasinghe, Mr Luke Atkinson, program Director for NPA and Mr Sumanasena Ambetenne also addressed the gathering before distinguished guests proceeded to observe how the sophisticated machines function. One of those machines was to be used by the NPA itself engaged in de-mining activities in the north Brigadier AMA Chandrasiri Engineers Brigade Commander conducted the proceedings.