US to aid Sri Lanka in demining
By IANSWednesday, September 9, 2009
COLOMBO - The US is providing training and equipment to the Sri Lanka Army to assist its efforts to demine areas in the island’s north where the Tamil Tigers were crushed in May.
The training will build additional military capacity to clear mines in the Northern Province and expedite the safe return of people displaced by the war to their homes, a US embassy statement said Wednesday.
The training is being conducted at the Sri Lanka School of Military Engineering at Embilipitiya.
The US Pacific Command also donated personal protection equipment (vest and visors) and deminer equipment. The cost of the programme is valued over $100,000.
This is in addition to the $6.6 million the US recently contributed towards demining activities in the Northern Province, which for years the Tamil Tigers controlled.
