US Deputy Assistant Secretary visits to assist demining

Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) of State for Plans, Programs and Operations Walter D. Givhan visited Sri Lanka from 26 April to 2 May.

DAS Givhan serves in the US Department of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs and is responsible for providing executive leadership, management, and guidance for US Government global security assistance programs and policies.

While in Sri Lanka, Givhan held meetings in Colombo and visited Kilinochchi and Vavuniya.  In the north he met with various Non-Governmental Organisations to discuss the progress of demining activities in the region. During his field visits to demining sites, he discussed the challenges facing demining and provided support to the ongoing demining process.

While in Colombo, Givhan met with Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Army Commander General Jagath Jayasuriya and Navy Commander Vice Admiral D.W.A.S. Dissanayake to discuss the military bilateral relationship and support towards demining.

The US has provided over $ 34.5 million to aid Sri Lanka’s demining activities since 1993. In 2011, the US donated $ 2.5 million for demining and increased this support to $ 5 million in 2012.  The US Government will continue to assist Sri Lanka in its demining activities to allow Sri Lankan families to move back to their homes.