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AMBASSADOR SUBASINGHE HOSTS U.S. K-9
DE-MINING DONOR DELEGATION TO SRI LANKA
“Graduation” of the First Six-Pack of Humanitarian De-Mining Dogs to be held in Sri Lanka Ambassador Devinda R. Subasinghe and Mrs. Helga Wurzer-Subasinghe held a “Send Off” reception at the Embassy of Sri Lanka to a distinguished group of donors to the K-9 Humanitarian De-mining Program on the eve of their departure to Sri Lanka. The donors comprising members from the Marshall Legacy Institute, Department of State, Sri Lankan Association of Washington DC, US Corporate sector, and well-wishers were involved in raising $ 420,000 to acquire, train, and deploy a “six-pack” of Mine Detecting Dogs to Sri Lanka.
The German Shepherds and the Belgian Malinois were acquired from the world renowned Global Training Academy in Somerset, Texas. The dogs and two US handlers arrived in Sri Lanka in March this year and were accommodated at the Sri Lanka Army School of Military Engineering at Embilipitiya. The formal training of handlers, Army Engineers, began on the 8th of March and the first ever “Graduation” is scheduled to be held on 10th June at Embilipitiya. Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, Major General Shantha Kottegoda will be the Chief Guest. The Sri Lanka Chief of Defence Staff/Commander of the Army will host the delegation on June 8th at an informal reception. The visitors will also meet with US Embassy officials in Colombo, officials of the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction and the Chairman and staff of National Steering Committee for Mine Action (NSCMA). Ambassador Subasinghe welcomed the delegation to the Embassy and thanked them all for their commitment and unstinted support for a humanitarian cause that will further the ongoing Peace Process in Sri Lanka by clearing mines to open schools and health centres. This private donor initiative follows a two-time deployment of the US Government’s Rapid Deployment De-mining Force. He stated that an excellent itinerary has been prepared in conjunction with the Sri Lankan Army with “Military precision”. He thanked the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army Lt Gen Lionel Balagalle for his support and facilitating all arrangements in Sri Lanka. Honorable Anthony Lake, former National Security Advisor to President Clinton thanked the Ambassador for his cooperation and stated that the whole delegation is excited and looking forward to visiting the most beautiful country in the world. The delegation will arrive in Colombo on 8th June and will be accompanied by Brigadier Rohan Jayasinghe, Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attaché at the Embassy. Embassy of Sri Lanka 01 June 2004
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