THE ARMY ENGINEERS WON THE WORLD BEST MINE DETECTION DOG (MDD) TEAM AWARD – 2019

The Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI), an international humanitarian organization dedicated to removing landmines and promoting stability, has been assisting the Sri Lanka Army Humanitarian Demining Unit (SLA HDU) since 2003. They support SLA HDU in their humanitarian effort to clear landmines and Explosive Remnants of War by providing 26 Mine Detection Dogs and pertinent training with the assistance of the US State Department and private donors. The Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) annually organize a gala event to appreciate the work of demining dogs and their contribution worldwide.

The MLI selected Mine Detecting Dog (MDD) ‘Sammy’ together with his handler Lance Corporal Nishantha Bandara PG of SLA HDU as the Best MDD Team of the Year 2019 at the annual “Clearing the Path Gala – 2019”. The event was held at the Fairmont Hotel on 23 November 2019 in Washington D.C with Dog teams representing 12 countries, including Sri Lanka. It was a remarkable achievement to be able to surpass all other teams and secured the first place out of them. The Sri Lankan Mine Detection Team led by Maj Gen Tissa Nanayakkara RWP VSV USP ndu Chief Field Engineer was also present as a Special Guest at the event along with the award-winning Dog team.

According to the record, Sammy and its handler, Lance Corporal Nishantha Bandara PG have de- mined and cleared a contaminated land area approximately 113,424 square meters and recovered 28 x P4 mk 01 anti – personnel, 01 x Rangan 99 Land Mine, 403 x T 56 Ammunitions, 04 x Hand Grenade Argus, 04 x UXO, 06 x Mortar Bombs, 06 x RPG Bombs, 1 M long Det Code, 02 x No 33 Electric Detonators and 200g of C 4 High Explosives since 2012.

The event was attended by six sponsors of the Marshall Legacy, representatives of the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, and many high profile special guests. After receiving the award, the dog-handler, Lance Corporal Nishantha Bandara PG addressing the gathering thanked them for their appreciation. Subsequently, the Sri Lanka Army Humanitarian Demining Unit presented two commemorative gifts to the Honorable President of the Marshall Legacy Institute, "Perry Baltimore" and the Deputy Chairman of the Marshall Legacy Organization, Mrs. Elise Becker. During the tour, the award-winning dog team had the opportunity to visit some schools in the Washington capital, where they were greatly appreciated by school -children.