Haiti-based Sri Lankan Peace Keeping Battalion (SRIBAT) effectively coordinated and contributed to the recently concluded electoral process in Haiti, facilitating the transfer of political power to a new government in 2011.
Sri Lankan troops, deployed for the stabilization mission (MINUSTAH) provided the security blanket for southern and south-west regional areas in Haiti such as Killik, Brache, Petitgoave, Leogane, Jacmel and Miragon during the just-concluded Legislative and Presidential Elections and ensured a violence-free political environment, absent from saboteurs, gangsters, protesters and pistol-brandishing criminals for conduct of the smooth electoral process.
The special representative in Haiti to the UN Secretary General, Mr Edmond Mulet on the day of the elections, visited several voting centers, manned by SRIBAT troops and appreciated its exemplary performance, vigil and professionalism, exhibited throughout by SRIBAT troops, commanded by Brigadier A.M.R Dharmasiri.
The SRIBAT came in for special commendation since it successfully managed to sustain the status quo with very few untoward incidents reported, compared to other UN serving battalions in Haiti.
On the eve of the much-awaited peaceful elections, the SRIBAT made a major breakthrough when it captured three notorious criminals, with pistols, revolvers, magazines and bullets. One of them, a much-wanted serial killer, arrested in Killik, was reportedly planning sabotage and violence during and after elections with weapons, it was disclosed. Those proposed violent plans ended in smoke due to the SRIBAT’s vigilance and surveillance.
As reconstruction efforts in Haiti, coupled with the consolidation of the political environment are in progress, the SRIBAT meanwhile continues its humanitarian services in refugee camps in respective SRIBAT areas, providing drinking water, medicine, foods, entertainment, educational programmes, children’s needs, and other requirements. Sri Lankan troops are also actively contributing towards restoration of the earthquake-hit infrastructure in coordination with all Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and International Non Governmental Organizations (INGOs).
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