US Army delegates enlightened on Sri Lanka’s civil-military cooperation

A delegation of the US Army, Pacific Command (USPACOM) was enlightened on Sri Lanka’s civil-military cooperation when they met Sri Lanka Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake at his office recently.

The four-member USPACOM delegation headed by Captain Jeffry Benton of the US Army called on the Army Commander with the objective of learning more about Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) projects in Sri Lanka, prior to the forthcoming South Asia Regional Civil Affairs Conference.

The cordial meeting enabled the Commander of the Army to catalogue the chain of civil-military projects, being carried out in the war-torn areas of the North and East after the successful culmination of the humanitarian operations in May 2009, the Army Media Unit said.

The delegates, showing a keen interest in the Commander’s briefing, expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the Commander for his detailed account on ongoing Army projects. Impressed with diverse Army roles, meant for civilians, those delegates inquired into different aspects of civil-oriented benefits and commended the Army for their approach.

They also drew parallels between the US Army and the Sri Lanka Army with special focus on different modules and their application.

The meeting was organised at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense.