Published on - 6/14/2004
Commanding General, Lieutenant General James L. Campbell, US Army Pacific Command, who was in Sri Lanka to attend the inauguration of the Institute of Peace Support Operations Training in Sri Lanka (IPSOTSL), accompanied by a special team of the US Military Officials visited Jaffna peninsula last Friday (June 11) as part of the itinerary of the US Commanding General's stay in Sri Lanka.
Lieutenant General James L. Campbell and the delegation on their arrival at the Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna were received by Security Forces Commander Jaffna, Major General M.D.S.Chandrapala on arrival prior to a Guard of Honour.
The event was followed by a planting of a mango sapling by Lieutenant General James L. Campbell to mark his visit to this war-affected area, the first-ever one made by a high-ranking US official after the US government granted financial assistance for Sri Lanka's ongoing humanitarian de-mining programmes in the north.
During their meet at Security Forces Jaffna, Commander's office, Major Gen Chandrapala briefed the US delegation on the present security situation in Jaffna and its suburbs before they were taken on a helicopter tour across Karainagar, Velani, Mandativu, Pungudutivu, Eluvativu, Analativu, Nainativu and Delft islands areas.
They also toured the 55 Division area in the company of Brigadier V.R.Silva, Commander 55 Division, and visited Muhamalai Entry/Exit point before they terminated their tour after visiting the naval camp at Kankesanthurai.
Lt. Col John Hansen, Lt Col Richard Girven, Major Thomas Styner, Major William Goodrich, Captain Brent Carroll and Captain Jody Brown were among those who participated in this tour.
