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The Sri Lanka Army's directorate of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law commenced its fortnight-long second course on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law for senior non-commissioned officers of the armed forces on Friday (March 1) at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI).

Sponsored by the British High Commission in Colombo, this course is designed to train and strengthen the capacity of selected officers on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

The inaugural ceremony on Friday was attended by Ms. Alison Kemp, Second Secretary, British High Commission, Ms. Isabella Barras, Head of ICRC delegation, Dr. Wijaya Jayathilaka, SLFI director Commander of the Army and other senior officers.

Directorate of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law of the Sri Lanka Army, since its founding in 1997 has been in the forefront of promotion of human rights and humanitarian law, understanding, tolerance, gender equality, attitudes, and values among all sections of the Army personnel.

The training programmes at these sessions will be conducted with the co-operation of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) along with the Directorate of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. The Sri Lanka Army's long-term five-year plan, meant to produce Army Instructors on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, is to integrate rule of law into the military curriculum and co-ordinate its efforts to effectively implement measures for protection of human rights at all levels of the Army.

It is also envisaged to educate Army personnel on prevention of human rights violations through empowerment of civil society to defend their rights.

The Directorate of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law of the Sri Lanka Army has so far trained 145 officers and 60 other ranks as instructors in this field. During the year 2001, these newly qualified instructors were successful in training 1,663 officers and 18,157 other ranks who are serving in combat zones.

The current course is to be followed by 30 non-commissioned officers of the Sri Lanka Army.

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