An amount of USD 74,395.93 has been provided by the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, as compensation to the family members of late Staff Sergeant Priyawansa H.M.T of Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps (SLAOC) who was deceased while engaged in a peacekeeping mission in Haiti in 2011.

Staff Sergeant Priyawansa was attached to the 13th Contingent of the Sri Lanka Army UN Peacekeeping Operations Mission to Haiti (MINUSTAH) with Gemunu Regiment Peacekeeping troops and was assigned duties in Haiti since 01st February 2011. According to the office of the Sri Lanka Permanent Representative to United Nations, Staff Sergeant Priyawansa had died whilst serving at the ‘Jackmel’ Peacekeeping base in Haiti on 17th March, 2011.

The cash cheque was officially presented by Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa to the deceased soldier’s widow, Mrs R.M.T.T Rathnayake this afternoon (28), at the Ministerial premises. On a request made by Mrs Rathnayake, the compensation fund would be equally distributed and deposited to the accounts of their two children - Navodya Thathsarani Priyawansa and Kaweesha Methruwan Priyawansa.

Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, the Sri Lanka Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Major General Shaveendra Silva, Adjutant General of the Army Major General Kamal Gunaratne and Colonel Commandant of the SLAOC Brigadier M.Z.R Sallay were also present at the occasion.