Sri Lanka Army’s Mine-Detection Team, the dog ‘Alvin’ and its handler, Lance Corporal G.N.W.M Nawarathne of 7 Field Engineer Regiment, Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) during the ‘Clearing the Path’ Gala ceremony, organized in Washington, DC by the reputed Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI), committed to a world-free of land mines received their accolades on Wednesday (26) before a distinguished gathering of ambassadors, US policy-makers, US State Officials, Senators, Social Service Activists, donors and representatives of International Non Governmental Organizations.

In August this year, the US-based MLI engaged in provision of technical support for clearance of land mines world-wide, selected the Sri Lanka Army’s Mine Detection Dog (MDD), ‘Alvin’ and its handler Lance Corporal G.N.W.M Nawarathne, as the MLI’s ‘Team of the Year - 2016’ for receipt of the MDD Award of the year - 2016.

The two-member Army de-mining team, Alvin and its handler, Lance Corporal Nawarathne has been working together to-date since 28 December 2011, having de-mined approximately a land area of 73,340 sqm in the North and East of Sri Lanka. Their operations have so far recovered 20 Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPGs), 48 grenades, 137 Anti Personnel Mines (APMs), 24 unexploded ordnance, 18 detonators and 243 ammunition and other explosive remnants of the war. Their team work of de-mining, based on mutual understanding and devotion to the task has enabled 1945 displaced people of 415 families to return to their original places of habitation during the past five years after specific areas were cleared of all explosive devices by being one of the most dedicated de-mining teams of the Sri Lanka Army which achieved expected results in a commendable manner.

At Hotel Mandarin in Washington DC the laureates, the Sri Lanka Mine Detection Team led by Brigadier Amith Seneviratne, Commander, Engineer Brigade who is in charge of the Army Humanitarian De-mining Unit attended the ceremony, in which donors of the dog ‘Alvin’, Dr. Maidson and Ms Jessica Homan were also present.

Sri Lanka Army’s MDD team was honored on stage together with the donors of the dog, by awarding the MLI medal and a parchment in recognition of their services amid a roaring applause.

‘Clearing the path’ Gala ceremony of the MLI in Washington was graced by Ambassador, Susan E. Rice, US National Security Advisor who delivered the keynote address in the glittering ceremony.

Among other distinguished guests present in the ceremony were Senator, Mr Mike Enzi, General Gordan Russell Sullivan (Retd), Prasad Kariyawasam, Ambassador for Sri Lanka in USA et al.

This is the second instance that Sri Lanka Army Humanitarian De-mining Unit produced the Best MDD Team.

In the year 2012, the MDD ‘Ciro’ and its handler, Sapper D.K.N Rohana of the Army’s Sri Lanka Engineers were also selected for the same Award in appreciation of their commitment to clear the landmine-infested area of 9570 sqm, recovering 101 LTTE-made APMs, three LTTE-produced hand grenades, one 60 mm mortar bomb and two unexploded RPG bombs.