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Military contingent in readiness for deployment to quake-hit Türkiye
View(s):Sri Lanka is waiting for the green light to immediately dispatch a fully trained military contingent of about 300 army personnel to disaster-struck Türkiye.
Army Spokesman Brigadier Ravi Herath said the contingent of 26 officers and other ranks including the members of the army medical corps, engineering regiments and the Disaster Response Relief Operation unit is ready to leave at any given time.
“Once the Turkish government’s official request is received by the Turkish Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here, within 12 to 24 hours the military contingent headed by a Major General and a Brigadier as deputy will be deployed to Türkiye,” he said.
However, the Sunday Times learns that there has been some reluctance by the Turkish government on getting emergency relief from tropical countries due to limited exposure to rescue missions in harsh winter weather.
“Inquiries were made on whether our military contingent is equipped with winter gear and equipment used in winter search-and-rescue operations,” a top source said.
According to the latest statistics, 95 countries, including Sri Lanka, have offered assistance, and about 7000 foreign military and specialised rescue personnel from 56 countries are currently in Türkiye.
Meanwhile, travel expenses for the contingent will have to be initially borne by the government here.
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