JDS

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

U.S. Military members arrive in Sri Lanka

Posted by JDS

Photo courtesy: Master Sgt. Mike Hammond | US Air Force

Press Release | Embassy of the United States - Sri Lanka
.............................................................................................................................................................................................

More than 40 U.S. service members arrived in Sri Lanka Saturday (Aug. 14, 2010), to begin a six-day combined medical and engineering training mission with the Sri Lankan government and medical representatives from the Maldives and Mongolia.

The mission, called Pacific Angel-Sri Lanka, will be conducted at various sites near Anuradhapura and Puttalam. It will offer free medical and dental care and also feature repairs and construction to support local schools. This week’s mission allows participating nations to hone their ability to work together and to practice their trades in non-clinical settings, while helping Sri Lankans in need of services. Pacific Angel missions are a United States Pacific Command-led capacity building effort to support regional stability in the Asia-Pacific region and foster partnership between military, governmental and non-governmental agencies.

“It is a pleasure and an honor for me and my team of professional Airmen and Soldiers to be here as guests of the Sri Lankan government,” said U.S. Air Force Reserves Col. Wes Cockman, Pacific Angel-Sri Lanka mission commander. “We simply cannot wait to roll up our sleeves and get to work alongside Sri Lankan, Maldivian, and Mongolian professionals to provide medical and engineering services to those in need. Efforts like Pacific Angel demonstrate the United States’ commitment to partnership as a means to maintain a peaceful and stable South Asian region," Colonel Cockman said. “We sincerely appreciate the invitation to come to Sri Lanka, and have been truly impressed by the hospitality we’ve witnessed!”

Pacific Angel events began Monday, Aug. 16, and will continue through Saturday, Aug. 21. A listing of the missions and locations follows. The public is welcome to visit and receive treatment free of charge each day at the medical care centers from 9am-3pm.

Aug. 16-21 - Medical (Family Practice, Optometry, Dental - and Public Health education) care offered at Puttalam Town Hall;
Aug. 16-18 - Medical Care offered at District Hospital Medawachchiya;
Aug. 20-21 - Medical Care offered at Cheddikulam School;
Aug. 16-21 - School repair project at Mahasiyambalagaskada Vidyalaya, Neriyakulam Township;
Aug. 16-21 - School repair project at Semandaluwa Kanishta Vidyalaya, Puttalam Township.

© US Embassy - Sri Lanka