Strengthening ties between the United States and Sri Lanka, 800 US Marines and sailors helped spruce up an orphanage, a school and a hospital in the war affected areas along the north-east coast. The troops arrived at the Trincomalee Port on July 13 on the USS Pearl Harbor (LSD- 52), of the United States Navy, with 450 Marines and 350 sailors on board.
During their three day mission, the troops painted and cleaned up the Thiriyai Tamil Maha Vidyalayam and the Boys’ Home of the Methodist Church in Trincomalee, and presented the children with toys.
Acting Principal of Thiriyai Maha Vidyalayam, T. Pabarupan said “the team of US military turned the recreation area into a computer room”. They were not, however providing the school with computers.
The students from the Thiriyai school, were also given a tour of the USS Pearl Harbor. The children were given explanations as to how to use the weapons and were allowed to handle them.
At the hospital in Mutur, Commander in charge, Chaplin Stephan J. Zachary said their military medical team shared medical experiences and knowledge with the local doctors.
The US military also took on the Sri Lankan military in a game of football and had a casual meeting during which they exchanged military knowledge and experiences, said Chaplin Zachary. He went on to say “we are all ears and eyes to learn from the Sri Lankan military”.
According to the US forces the last US ship to dock at the Trincomalee harbour was in 1971. They hope to send another team later this year to work on heavier projects.
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