China gifts explosives disposal equipment to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence received a stock of special Explosive Ordnance Disposal Equipment under the Chinese Military Grant scheme on Wednesday (13 March).

The consignment was officially handed over at a formal ceremony held at the Army Headquarters, headed by Qi Zhenhong, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka and General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence.

The formal signing of documents related to the grant of equipment took place between Ambassador Qi Zhenhong and Kamal Gunaratne, following the presentation of a video documentary displaying existing bonds of goodwill and understanding that prevail between militaries in both countries, the army said.

Subsequently, eighteen REOD 4000 Explosive Ordnance Disposal medium robots, eighteen REOD 400 Explosive Ordnance Disposal robots, ten Anti Explosive Blankets and ten Explotion Protection Tanks and Vehicles were symbolically handed over to Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne by Ambassador Qi Zhenhong. 
The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence then presented them to the Commander of the Army.
Soon after, the gathering of Senior Officers and invitees had a close look at the new equipment which is slated to be of much use to the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka, the statement added.

Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Major General W.H.K.S. Peiris, the Chief of Staff of the Army and Colonel Gao Bin, Deputy Defence Advisor of the Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka, Senior Officers, Officers and other ranks were among the distinguished invitees and others present at the event.