'Behaviour in combat' booklets for SLA

[TamilNet, Thursday, 01 June 2000, 23:12 GMT]
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Thursday handed over to the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) 20,000 booklets and 6000 posters depicting basic rules for Behaviour in Combat. Ms. Isabelle Barras, Head of Delegation, ICRC Colombo, stressed that such publications, produced with the assistance of the ICRC, are principally designed as support material for instruction of the Law of Armed Conflict within the SLA.

Major General Balagalle, Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanak Army, speaking at the function held this morning at Army Headquarters in Colombo, welcomed the publications, saying that as a professional army, the Sri Lanka Army considers the adherence to the Law of Armed Conflict or Law of War to be of "utmost importance."

"The production of booklets and posters, incorporating this theme marks a major step in this direction," the General said.

In 1999, the ICRC dissemination programme on the Law of Armed conflict to the SLA reached 1124 officers and 2523 soldiers while this year, from Jan-May, ICRC disseminated to 1500 officers and 1385 soldiers.

The illustrated booklet comprises , inter alia, internationally recognized rules for behaviour in combat such as, Be a Disciplined Soldier, Collect and Care for the Wounded, Treat captured Combatants Humanely, Respect the Civilian Population, Respect Protected Signs, Avoid Unnecessary Suffering and Destruction, and First Aid Tips.