COLOMBO (News 1st); The first group of the 8th Army contingent of the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps (SLAMC), bound for the United Nations Peace-Keeping Mission in South Sudan’s Level-2 Hospital (UNMISS) to serve the SRIMED Hospital left for South Sudan during early morning hours on Wednesday (29) amidst greetings of the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva who showed up at the airport despite his day’s hectic schedules.Soon after review of a simple parade, presented by those troops in honour of their Army Chief, this first group, comprised of 11 Officers and 22 Other Ranks before their boarding formalities interacted with the Army Chief who in turn wished them best of luck and reminded them of the importance of maintaining the highest level of discipline while serving and their commitment to the role and tasks in South Sudan.The 8th South Sudan bound contingent, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel N.M Niflar and 2nd in-command Major D.Y.S Kumara is made up of 66 Army personnel, including Brigadier Kalana Wijewardana, Consultant Surgeon, 13 Officers with 4 Medical specialists.
The contingent includes Ward In-Charge, nurses, critical care nurses (gynaecological), operation theatre technician, Physiotherapists (DPM), radiographer, X-ray technician, radiologist, dentist and dental assistant, dental technician, medical storeman, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, lab technician, lab technologists, communication technicians, hygiene assistant, administrative clerk, cooks, ambulance drivers, sanitary duty man, mortuary attendant, etc and Other Ranks from the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps (40) Sri Lanka Signal Corps( 02), Corps of Engineer Service (02), Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers(.