U .S. forces to present Sri Lanka school with power generator, computers

United States forces in Sri Lanka for Operation Pacific Angel will present a local school with a power generator, computers, and associated equipment, according to U.S. officials.


A statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Colombo said earlier this week, during Operation Pacific Angel's renovation of the Semandaluwa Kanista Vidyalaya primary school, Principal Ranjaney Fernando told journalists that the school lacked a power supply and thus could not operate the school's single computer.

The journalists have shared the request with U.S. Air Force Colonel Wesley Cockman, Pacific Angel-Sri Lanka commander.

According to the Embassy, tomorrow Colonel Cockman will notify the principal, of the school that the U.S. team will provide the school a generator, computers, and associated equipment.



(U.S. Air Force Colonel Wesley Cockman, Commander of Pacific Angel-Sri Lanka, speaking with Principal Ranjani Fernando of the Semmandaluwa Kanishta Vidyalaya primary school.)

After learning of the request, Colonel Cockman coordinated with the U.S. Embassy in Colombo and United States Pacific Command in Hawaii to secure funding under the U.S. Department of Defense Security Cooperation Agency's Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid (OHDACA) program. Within 48 hours, the request was processed, reviewed, approved, and money transferred -- paving the way for tomorrow's surprise notification at the school, a day before the Pacific Angel operation comes to an end, the Embassy reported.

"I am thrilled the request was approved," has said upon hearing the news.

"This funding will allow us to purchase equipment from Sri Lankan vendors and further enhance the ability of the school's dedicated staff to provide quality education to the 90 students there. In addition to the support from the U.S. Embassy in Colombo and U.S. Pacific Command, a key figure in this process has been Mr. Mohammed Nazmi, the Mayor of Puttalam. He promised to provide the fuel which will be necessary to sustain the generator for the school. This was a very short notice opportunity, and it will be my great pleasure to witness Mrs. Fernando's reaction when she hears the good news for her school," Colonel Cockman was quoted.

A joint, combined team of U.S., Sri Lankan, and Mongolian civil engineers continue repairs at the Semandaluwa Kanista Vidyalaya and Mahasiyabalagaskada Vidyalaya (Neriyakulam) schools this week, planning to conclude the operation by August 22.

The Engineering Civic Assistance Programs, along with medical care and education missions, are part of Operation Pacific Angel-Sri Lanka. Pacific Angel is a U.S. Pacific Command-led program that aims to build cooperation and partnership. The effort in Sri Lanka is the fourth and final Pacific Angel of 2010. Four more Pacific Angel operations are planned for 2011 in other Asian countries.