“WELCOME BACK ”

Successfully completing the first-ever UN peacekeeping assignment en masse, the first batch of troops of the Army's Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) arrived in their mother country, Friday (6) morning to a warm welcome at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.

Fourteen Officers and three hundred fifty nine Other Ranks, who have efficiently and effectively completed their six-month long assignments in Haiti returned home this dawn at 7.40 a.m. on a civil aircraft to be received warmly by Major General N. Mallawaarachchi, Director General, General Staff and Colonel of the Regiment SLLI, Major General H. M. N Krishnaratne, Commander Logistics Command, Major General T. T. R de Silva, Adjutant General and many other Senior Officers from their Regiment, SLLI.

Lt. Colonel A.L. S. K Perera, Second In Command of the first contingent in Haiti, now expected to be phased out soon after the dispatch of their replacement, the second contingent of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment in full, conducted the homebound trip.

Lt Colonel S. W. M.T. B Hulugalle, representing SLLI immediately after the aircraft came to a stop proceeded in to receive the returning first batch of the first contingent. Later on, he conducted them out to be received by Senior Army Officers in attendance.

Senior Officers after extending their warm greetings at this historic occasion shook hands with a representative batch of thirty soldiers before all returnees, led by traditional drummers paraded towards

the main terminal with UN, National, Army and SLLI flags holding amidst greetings and applause of others who were lined up.

The first and second batches of the first contingent on UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti left Sri Lanka in September 2004 and the third batch departed in October 2004. However, dispatch of the second UN contingent to replace those now in Haiti commenced on 3rd May 2005 with the passage of a batch of 375 soldiers, including Officers.