Published on - 12/14/2003
Reminiscent of the old adage that \'prevention is better than cure,\' members of the Security Forces stationed in Eluthumadduval, an area infested with landmines (anti-personnel, anti-tank and fragmentation) conduct a series of specially-designed awareness programmes routinely for the benefit of thousands of civilians resident in the Eluthumadduval area.
This time, it was a public lecture organized by Engineer troops of the 53 Division. The lecture on 25 November 2003, attended by several hundreds of villagers focused on nature of these explosive devices, technical aspects, unearthing systems and techniques, handling of plodders, pre-warning systems, etc.
Civilians were also shown practical illustrations, allowing them to make any inquiries or questions towards the end of the lecture session. Consequent of the lecture and subsequent discussions that ensued between the masses and Engineers of the Army, troops consisting of soldiers of 3rd Battalion, Sri Lanka Light Infantry, 08th Sri Lanka Armoured Corps and 3rd Battalion (Volunteer) Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment prepared themselves for another worthy cause, aimed for the welfare of the same segment of civilians.
About 200 parcels of dry rations, each, containing 10 kg of rice, 4 kg of red chillies, tea packets, sugar and other commodities, prepared by members of the Security Forces, awaited the distribution among needy masses in the area.Grama Niladhari (state official) at Eluthumadduval south and the priest at Thurkiamman kovil (temple) co-operated with members of the Army to carry out this humanitarian gesture of distribution of dry rations among the masses.
This is one of the humanitarian services undertaken by troops in Jaffna and its suburbs, now being launched for the welfare of civilians. More and more such projects are in the pipeline under the auspices of Major General Sarath Fonseka, Commander, Security Forces, Jaffna.
