The humanitarian mission; ‘Operation Pacific Angel-Sri Lanka’, carried out by the representatives of the United States, Sri Lanka, Mongolia and the Maldives concluded after completing a number of medical and engineering missions at various sites in and around Anuradhapura and Puttalam.

According to the US Embassy, Colombo, the multinational forces participating in Operation Pacific Angel-Sri Lanka were in Sri Lanka at the invitation of the government. The mission was in coordination with each nation’s Embassy and military commands.
Pacific Angel is a partner nation, capacity and teamwork building program led by United States Pacific Command based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Pacific Angel-Sri Lanka was the fourth and final such event held in 2010. Four more missions are planned for next year elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region.

In total, the Pacific Angel teams repaired and refurbished two primary schools, improving the educational environment for nearly 200 students. The U.S. forces also partnered with the mayor of Puttalam to provide a power generator, lighting, and three new computers to the Semmandaluwa KanishtaVidyalaya in Puttalam Township.

In addition, Pacific Angel medical teams treated 4,647 patients at three sites, and dispensed 4,462 prescriptions. Included in that overall total were 1,662 optometry patients and 562 dental patients. The Pacific Angel optometrists provided 1,448 pairs spectacles, and the dentists performed 78 extractions.

Also included in the program were two medical educational programs which offered U.S. and Sri Lankan professionals the opportunity to exchange information and practice advanced skills related to mental health and pediatric emergencies. Following the completion of treatment at the sites, Pacific Angel members signed over the remaining medical supplies to the U.S. Embassy, which will donate them to the Cheddikulam Hospital and Puttalam Township.