FSD completes training to deminers in Vavuniya

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 February 2004, 07:59 GMT]
The Swiss Demining Federation (FSD), involved in demining in Vavuniya and Mannar districts, has given training to the third batch of 44 deminers in Vavuniya, and a ceremony to award certificates was held Friday at the FSD’s office in Vavuniya, sources said.

Mr. Bala, the national coordinator of the FSD, headed the event.

Dr. Arumugam Ketheeswaran, the Deputy Provinces Director of Health Services (DPDHS) for Vavuniya, was the chief guest at the event. The Government Agents for Vavuniya and Mannar, divisional secretaries, Sri Lanka Police and Army officials, representatives of local and international volunteer organizations participated.



Ranjith Kasturi Arachi, the Assistant Superintendent of Police in Vavuniya, is seen handing over the certificate to one of the trainees.



Mr. Bala said that in the two districts, FSD had demined an area of 97,628 square meters by the end of January this year. He said that FSD found and destroyed 3374 landmines, 8 anti-tank mines, 2062 large caliber and 5611 small caliber unexploded ordnances, in the region.

According to officials, 312 villages in the two districts were identified as infested with landmines, booby traps and unexploded ordnances, and of those, 179 villages were identified as high risk. 43 people have lost their lives to mines in the region and 40 have been severely injured, many with loss of limb.



A section of new trainees at the passing out ceremony.



First Aid demonstration at the passing out ceremony.

 

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