US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO1284

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 COLOMBO 001284 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR PM/WRA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT, EAID, MARR, MOPS, PREF, PREL, CE, MAS, LTTE - Peace Process 
SUBJECT: HUMANITARIAN MINE ACTION (HMA) FY06 COUNTRY 
PLANNING INPUTS 
 
REF: SECSTATE 105813 
 
 
A)  U.S. INTERESTS AND EQUITIES 
A veteran in the Global War on Terror, Sri Lanka has engaged 
the Foreign Terrorist Organization-designated Liberation 
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for nearly twenty years on both 
the battle field and the peace table.  Peace talks have not 
progressed.  U.S. national security interest is focused on 
efforts to move the government of Sri Lanka (GSL) and LTTE 
towards a negotiated settlement of the conflict.  The 
Humanitarian Demining (HD) program has been a bright light in 
a darkening situation.  The U.S. will support efforts that 
foster national reconciliation and assist in developing and 
implementing strategies to meet the humanitarian needs of the 
northern and eastern populations in a post-conflict 
environment. 
 
B.  END STATE 
To build a national humanitarian demining capacity within the 
Sri Lankan Army (SLA) that fully integrates manual, 
mechanical and mine detecting dogs by the end of 2006. 
 
C.  GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 
 
Goal A: Protect Victims of Conflict 
 
--Objective 1:  Train and supervise military deminers to 
International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) so that no more 
than five (5) accidents occur in FY 2006.  SLA had only one 
(1) demining accident in 2005.  OBJECTIVE MET. 
 
--Objective 2:  Reduce civilian casualties through Mine Risk 
Education (MRE) and HD.  Civilian casualties reported in FY 
2005 are 39, a 62% reduction of 2003 reported figures. 
OBJECTIVE MET. 
 
Goal B: Develop Host Nation Capacity 
 
--Objective 1: Complete integration of mechanical clearance 
systems into demining operations.  Outfit backhoe with 
polycarbonate sheeting for blast protection.  Train SLA in 
the use of PROMAC and MAXX Plus mechanical clearing systems. 
OBJECTIVE MET. 
 
--Objective 2:  Increase number of mechanical systems. 
Current mechanical systems inventory includes one (1) backhoe 
fitted with a PROMAC brushcutter, one (1) MV-4 mini flail 
donated through Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA)  and one (1) MAXX 
Plus on loan for testing and evaluation from the U.S. Army. 
SLA hopes to expand mechanical systems to a total of eight 
(8) MV-4 mini flails and four (4) backhoes fitted with PROMAC 
brushcutters.  Japanese funding is planned to be used to 
purchase three (3) mini-flails and one (1) backhoe in FY 2005 
- 2006.  DOD will provide two (2) Tempest mechanical 
clearance systems.  OBJECTIVE OPEN. 
 
--Objective 3:  Train one additional demining squadron 
including "trainers", medics and senior management level 
staff.  Each demining squadron will be attached to each 
Engineer Regiment.  OBJECTIVE MET.  SLA plans to train an 
additional 40-60 deminers each year to allow for attrition, 
transfers and professional development.  Technical advisors 
should be provided through 2006 to ensure the SLA is fully 
capable of continuing operations without oversight. 
 
--Objective 4:  In partnership with the Marshall Legacy 
Institute, begin integrating an additional six (6) Mine 
Detecting Dog (MDD) teams in FY 2005.  OBJECTIVE MET.  In FY 
2005 one of the original MDDs has been unable to adjust to 
the heat in Jaffna and has had to be returned.  For FY 2006 
train one (1) replacement canine. 
 
--Objective 5:  Increase productivity by increasing vehicle 
support.  Each mine clearance site requires a dedicated 
ambulance.  This limits a mine squadron to one job site and 
leaves deminers idle.  Further, since deminers operate far 
from their regimental camps, transportation of food and 
equipment to the field becomes an issue.  Procure eight (8) 
additional ambulances, six (6) general purpose trucks and six 
(6) crewcab trucks (NOTE: Demining squadron commanders faced 
very jealous senior SLA officers when they were provided with 
Pajero SUVs.  Rather than an Toyota HiLux crew cab they 
requested the plain Mitsubishi Canter END NOTE).  The mini 
flail and MAXX Plus were not designed for self transportation 
and arrived without a trailer and truck.  Procure two (2) 
lowboy trailers and two (2) prime movers rated at 15K kg 
each.  OBJECTIVE OPEN. 
 
D.  ASSESSMENT OF HOST NATION STRATEGY 
Sri Lanka's mine action strategy has two components.  The 
first is to clear land for resettlement.  Without mine 
clearance no resettlement is possible,  and without 
resettlement the cease-fire cannot develop to a sustainable 
peace.  The second component is to implement mine action 
activities in support of reconstruction and development 
projects.  The goal of the GSL is to clear all high priority 
areas by 2008.  (NOTE:  The original goal date of 2006 was 
based on projections by some international demining operators 
and did not take climatic conditions and geographic access 
into account.  Although no formal country-wide landmine 
impact survey has been conducted, the SLA has conducted 
numerous technical surveys which led them to adjust the 
target date. END NOTE) 
 
E.  EFFECTIVENESS OF CURRENT PROGRAM 
The national program is working very well and prioritization 
is effective.  The District Steering Committee (DSC) includes 
representatives from all stakeholders in the affected 
district (i.e. NGOs, government agencies and others).  The 
DSC develops the order in which mine contamination is 
tackled, by which means it is carried out (clearance 
technical survey, marking, MRE, etc.) and carried out by 
implementing partners. 
 
The U.S. supported SLA demining program has built upon its 
early successes and exceeded expectations in all elements of 
their program expansion. Landmine accidents involving SLA 
deminers have almost been eliminated by maintaining IMAS 
standards.  Civilian casualties have dropped 60% in the last 
12 months due to a combination of SLA deminers and an 
effective MRE program.  In 2006, NADR funds will continue to 
train SLA deminers, replace the dog lost due to  climate and 
expand the integration of mechanical mine clearance systems. 
U.S. relations with Sri Lanka are improved through our 
support of the SLA humanitarian demining program, which is 
recognized as a high point in the landscape of the peace 
process. 
 
Progress 
                              Planned           Actual 
Trends 
Train Deminers                140               225 
Exceeded 
Trained and deployed 25 Officers, 28 Senior NCOs, 152 
deminers and 20 medics. 
 
Increase Mechanical Systems               1                 3 
            Exceeded 
Backhoe with PROMAC brushcutter, MV-4 mini flail and MAXX 
Plus are all operational. 
 
Increase Mine Detecting Dogs                    6 
6                 Met 
Completed training of 6 handlers and MDDs donated through 
Marshall Legacy Institute.  Despite the loss of the FY04 dog 
a total of 11 MDD teams are operational. 
 
Reduce Civilian Casualties                N/A 
39                Decreasing 
By the end of 2003 reported casualties were 102, current 
figures show a 61.7% drop from 2003 and a 2.5% drop from 2004 
 
Reduce Military Casualties                5                 1 
            Decreasing 
The only casualty involved a deminer who removed his helmet 
and knocked himself unconscious on a low hanging branch and 
fell onto a mine. 
 
Land Cleared            N/A              1.7m     N/A 
The figure listed above (1.7 million square meters) covers 
November 1, 2004 - May 31, 2005 for the USG trained/equipped 
SLA deminers trained to IMAS.  9.128 million square meters 
have been cleared by all operators in the country since 
January 1 2003.  The SLA has cleared 3.887 million square 
meters, 42% of all the cleared land. 
 
Mines Destroyed               N/A               5,634 
N/A 
UXO Destroyed                 N/A               86 
N/A 
The figures listed above are from SLA operation from January 
1, 2003 - May 31, 2005.  The efforts of all operators in Sri 
Lanka during the same period have destroyed a total of 
119,002 devices.  The breakdown is as follows: AP mines 
78,836 (5,632 by SLA), AT mines 51 (2 by SLA), UXO 20,368 (86 
by SLA). 
 
Mine Risk Education 
UNICEF plays a leading role in coordinating and advising MRE 
activities.  The results are apparent in the low numbers of 
reported civilian mine casualties.  MRE was not funded or 
linked to FY05 goals or objectives. 
 
F.  OTHER AGENCY/ORGANIZATION EQUITIES 
 
DOD:  MAXX Plus clearance system was deliver to SLA for a six 
month test and evaluation period.  Planned delivery of two 
(2) Tempest clearance system in late FY 2005 or FY 2006. 
 
USAID:  The Leahy War Victims Fund is providing $3,746,100 
for a five year program (April 2002 - April 2007) for a 
project that enhances people with mobility disabilities. 
This program introduces polypropylene prosthetic technology 
and expands rehabilitation service to include job placement, 
peer support and advocacy.  The program has issued 231 leg 
prosthetics and 99 orthotic braces to mine victims from their 
Jaffna office.  The center has also provided physical and 
psychosocial therapy to 500 patients.  The project has also 
conducted a needs assessment survey in the towns of Mannar, 
Trincomalee and Kilinochi.  The program hopes to open an 
office in Mannar in FY06 partnering with a Catholic charity. 
 
Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI): MLI raised funds in 2004 to 
purchase and train six MDDs.  DOS assumes the cost for 
in-country dog/handler training and integration of dogs into 
the demining program.  Funding for the replacement MDD is 
still in question. 
 
Norwegian People's Aid:  Runs a 1.2 million USD demining 
program in Sri Lanka funded by Norway.  Through the UNDP 
Norway also funds another 1.2 million USD for general mine 
actions. 
 
European Commission:  The EC has contributed 15.7 million USD 
towards mine actions in Sri Lanka from 2002 - 2005.  These 
funds have been distributed to Mine Advisory Group, HALO 
Trust, Norwegian People's Aid, Danish Demining Group, UNDP 
Mine Action Project and UNICEF.  The EC has just signed two 
projects totaling 1.7 million USD with UNICEF and 2.6 million 
USD with UNDP for MRE and Survivor Assistance (SA) projects. 
The EC budgeted 1.69 million USD for anti-personnel landmine 
clearance for 2005-2006.  A contribution of 1.3 million USD 
is projected for 2007. 
 
G.  PROGRAM SUMMARY 
 
1.  U.S. Funds Expended : $11,937,000 (through FY2005) 
 
2.  A total of 503 officer and enlisted ranks have completed 
the basic demining course.  Also 202 officers and enlisted 
ranks have completed additional demining instruction and 
management courses, basic and advance trauma courses as well 
as instruction in the operation of mechanical clearing 
systems.  Eleven (11) mine detecting dog teams have been 
trained and deployed.  One (1) backhoe with PROMAC 
brushcutter, one (1) MV-4 mini flail and one (1) MAXX Plus 
mechanical assets are deployed. 
 
3.  71 officers have completed the demining management course 
and are the core of a highly effective HN demining program. 
 
4.  There has been no purchase or lease of high value 
demining equipment in FY2005. 
 
5.  U.S. donated equipment including MAXX , PROMAC, vehicles, 
computers, detection equipment and personal protective 
equipment continue to be properly marked, well maintained and 
used to properly support HD operations. 
 
6.  Milestones include the following: 
a)  FY06 Replace one (1) MDD in FY06 and assess the 
feasibility of more MDD teams in FY07. 
b)  FY06 Integrate the Tempest and possibly other mechanical 
systems. 
c)  FY06 Increase demining productivity by increasing 
ambulance capability. 
d)  FY06 Support mechanical systems integration with heavy 
lift capability. 
e)  FY06 Complete capacity building and end full time 
technical advisors. 
f)  FY07 Replenish/replace HD supplies and equipment procured 
in 2003/2004 as required. 
 
H) PRIORITIZED RESOURCE REQUESTS 
 
1.  Eight (8) field ambulances. Goal B, Objective 5. 
2.  Two (2) lowboy trailers and two (2) prime movers rated at 
15K kg each. Goal B, Objective 5. 
3.  Six (6) crewcab pick up trucks. Goal B, Objective 5 
4.  Six (6) general purpose trucks. Goal B, Objective 5 
5.  SLA training of replacement personnel.  Goal B, Objective 
3 
6.  One (1) Replacement mine detecting dog. Goal B, Objective 
4 
7.  Two (2) backhoes with PROMAC brushcutters.  Goal B, 
Objective 2. 
8.  Four (4) MV-4 mini flails.  Goal B, Objective 2. 
 
 
I) IMPACT 
Humanitarian demining is a program that puts the GSL and 
particularly the SLA in the spotlight as a model of a 
non-sectarian unifying force for good.  All communities 
benefit from HD, and all communities cooperate when demining 
operations occur in their area.  The SLA takes great pride in 
their program and have consistently demonstrated a vigorous 
management and operational commitment to building a strong 
national program.  As the only government controlled 
operation in the country, an increase in Sri Lankan demining 
capacity will help meet the national strategy to clear high 
priority tasks by the end of 2008 and reduce the future 
dependency on donor funded NGOs for mine clearance. 
LUNSTEAD