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A Sri Lankan army dog and handler won the Washington-based Marshall Legacy Institute’s (MLI) ‘Team of the Year - 2019’ award this week, as the island continues to have military relations around the globe despite concerns of rights abuses committed by troops.
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The Sri Lanka Army’s Mine Detection Dog (MDD), ‘Sammy’ and her handler, Lance Corporal P. G Nishantha Bandara of 5 Field Engineer Regiment were at an award ceremony at Washington’s Fairmont Hotel last week to receive the award, with other senior American government officials present.
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Major General Tissa Nanayakkara of the Sri Lankan army was invited to address the ceremony, which also saw Sri Lanka’s ambassador the USA in attendance.
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After the ceremony, the Sri Lankan military dog and handler were also taken to local schools in the area, to showcase their skills.
The award comes despite senior US officials stating last week that they may have to curb military relations with Sri Lanka, following the appointment of accused war criminal Shavendra Silva to the head of the army. Sri Lankan soldiers are accused of committing egregious rights abuses and violating international law, yet none have been held accountable thus far.
