SL Army contingent in Haiti relief operations

by Ananth PALAKIDNAR

A Sri Lankan Army contingent comprising 950 Security Service personnel has been deployed fully in relief work carried out in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake, which had claimed the lives of over 100,000 Haitians, according to military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara.

Brig. Nanayakkara told the Sunday Observer that the Sri Lankan contingent is currently serving in Haiti with the UN Peace Keeping Mission.

The Sri Lankan servicemen are 15 kilometres away from the region where the natural disaster occurred.

Three Sri Lankan soldiers suffered minor injuries and they are out of danger, he said.

The Sri Lankan contingent has joined other relief teams to clear debris, carry out rescue operations, and provide medical assistance to the earthquake victims, the Brigadier said.

According to Brigadier Nanayakkara, 850 men are from the Army, 50, from the Navy and 50 from the Air Force. In addition 11 staff officers of the Sri Lankan contingent are serving at the UN office in Haiti.