08th March 2018 13:52:38 Hours
The special envoy of the anti-personnel mine ban convention His Royal Highness Prince Mired RaadZeid Al-Hussein paid official visit to humanitarian de-mining site Muhamalai on 6 March 2018. HRH Prince visited site during his official visit to Sri Lanka from 5 to 7 March at the invitation of HE the President. The event marks the first ever visit of high profile diplomat to de-mining site functions by Sri Lanka Army – Humanitarian De-mining Unit (SLA-HDU).
Commander Engineer Brigade, Brigadier SJMAR Seneviratne RWP USP psc welcomed delegation to the site and delivered a comprehensive briefing on commencement of the de-mining process and current progress of SLA-HDU Moreover delegation was educated on the de -mining process applied by SLA-HDU while highlighting the remaining task to be completed in order to achieve the vision formulated by National Mine Action Centre, mine threat free Sri Lanka by 2020.
The delegation fortunate to experience manual, mechanical and Mine Detection Dog (MDD) clearing operations of a de-mining site with the pre-arranged display. This was a significant display which induced mine consciousness to the on lookers since it conducted in a confirmed hazardous area.
At the end of event, HRH Prince highly appreciated the contribution of SLA-HDU to make Sri Lanka free. Further he did not forget to express his gratitude to the officers and other ranks who involved with effort.
Honorable Minister, Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs Hon DM Swaminathan, Commander Security Forces (Jaffna) and Colonel Commandant of Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers, Major General DDUK Hettiarrachchi RSP USP ndu psc, General Officer Commanding 52 Division Major General GJL Waduge RWP RSP USP ndu also participated the event.
