03rd April 2024 19:46:33 Hours
The 15th contingent of the Sri Lanka Force Protection Company (SLFPC) in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) left for Lebanon on 03 April 2024 amidst greetings and best wishes.
The 15th SLFPC contingent consists of 125 Army personnel, including 11 Officers and 114 Other Ranks of the Sri Lanka Army. The contingent commanded by Lieutenant Colonel D.K.D Vithanage RSP of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) and Second in Command by Major H.M.W.C Bandara USP psc of the Mechanized Infantry Regiment.
Major General S.R.B. Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc, the Commander of Security Forces - Central and the Colonel Commandant of the VIR, Major General K.A.W.N.H. Bandaranayake USP, the General Officer Commanding of the 14 Infantry Division and Major General W.L.A.C. Perera RWP RSP USP, the Director, Directorate of Movement, along with several other Senior Officers and relatives were at the airport to extend best wishes on behalf of the Commander of the Army and to see them off to Lebanon.
The Sri Lankan FPC is mandated to provide protection to the Headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura and VIPs as required by UNIFIL. The Advance Party of the 15th SLFPC, consisting of 12 Army personnel, left the country as the first stage on 09 March 2024.