Published on - 5/19/2005
Final and the second contingent of Sri Lanka Army troops on UN peacekeeping mission left for Haiti on Saturday (14) after a brief ceremony that gathered next of kin of soldiers and their superiors.
Three hundred and seventy five strong contingent (19 Officers and 347 soldiers) took leave of their military bosses and boarded the UN charted flight after a brief ceremony was held at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) premises.
Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, also the Colonel of the Regiment of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment troops Major General Sarath Fonseka was there to bid adieu to them.
Determined but emotionally moved departing troops after boarding formalities were completed met their relatives at the public viewing gallery to receive their blessings.
Major General Fonseka, afterwards took time off to meet and greet a cross section of the UN bound troopers showing his goodwill and warmth to them.
As UN and National flag waving troops were inching towards the aircraft waiting, amidst blessings of their relatives who looked on, the bag pipers rent a slow beat of music as their next of kin simultaneously lined up & cheered their beloved ones. They will replace the second contingent now in Haiti.
