THE 12th Sri Lanka Army contingent on UN Peace Keeping Mission in Haiti left the island on 27th June for a period of six months. This 749 strong contingent from Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) is to be commanded by Colonel A.M.R Darmasiri with Lieutenant Colonel Kithsiri Liyanage as his Second-in-Command. Lieutenant Colonel C.U Marasinghe is to join them as the logistic officer. Today’s contingent comprised 375 soldiers and 37 officers.
A total of over 8000 members from the Sri Lanka Army have so far participated in the UN Peace Keeping Missions to-date since 22nd October, 2004, the year that marked the first dispatch of Sri Lanka Army contingent for UN Peace Keeping Mission to Haiti. They belonged to the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment (SLLI).
After Sri Lanka joined the United Nations Organization in 1955, the first UN mission of the Army was sent Congo in the African continent. It was only a 16 member team and its mission commenced in 1960 and ended in 1962.
Currently, Sri Lankan Army troops are engaged in the UN Peace Keeping Missions in Haiti with a strength of 960 members with observation missions in Western Sahara 3 members, Congo 4 members and Sudan 6 members. Sri Lanka achieved 21st position among 115 countries contributing troops to UN peace keeping missions. Sri Lanka has also proposed to contribute troops to UN missions in Chad and Lebanon.
Sri Lankan peace keepers provide security to all key towns, along main roads and suburbs and also prevent armed groups from engaging in violent activities.
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