The Medal Parade of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the prestigious military ceremony that appreciates the exemplary dedication, made by any specific contingent, took place recently at the UNIFIL Headquarters, Naqoura, Lebanon where the Sri Lankan contingent, was honoured awarding medals.
Major General Sumedha Perera, Director General General Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, attending as the Chief Guest on behalf of the Commander of the Army, at the UNIFIL Medal Parade, received the salute before proceeding got underway.
UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Luciano Portolano graced the event as the Guest of Honour at the invitation of the Sri Lankan (SRIBAT) contingent in Lebanon.
The ceremony for award of UN medals in Lebanon, drew overwhelming admiration of the attendees, due to its blend of military and entertaining nature with a special dog show in place, plus a daring demonstration of the troops of the Special Forces serving the SRIBAT in Lebanon.
The Sri Lankan UNIFIL contingent of 150 Army personnel at present is expected to return to Sri Lanka after completing their mission shortly, enabling the next Sri Lankan contingent to take over duties in Lebanon.
Major General Luciano Portolano, UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander, extended a warm welcome to the Chief Guest on arrival and ushered him to take the salute in conformity with military traditions.
The occasion was dignified and brought about a spirit of celebrations, amidst fluttering UN and Sri Lankan National flags in the backyard as the parade commenced before a large gathering of invitees.
A Guard Turn Out plus a special Guard of Honour, accorded by Sri Lankan peace-keepers to Major General Sumedha Perera in accordance with military traditions, saluted him and he afterwards reviewed the parade.
The ceremony commenced after the Contingent Commander Colonel Chandimal Peiris formally welcomed the invitees to the occasion.
The smart parade turned further dignified as Major General Sumedha Perera began pinning the first memorable UN Peace Keeping Medal on the Contingent Commander Colonel Chandimal Peiris and a section of the troops. It was followed by the Force Commander Major General Luciano Portolano. Later on Mrs J.A.D.S.P Wijegunasekara, Acting Sri Lanka’s Ambassador for Lebanon too joined pinning medals.
Afterwards, Major General Sumedha Perera sat together with a group of UNIFIL Commanding Officers and discussed matters of relevance to future UNIFIL deployments and other administrative matters. UNIFIL officers, including Brigadier General Tarundeep Kumar, Brigadier General Mohommad El Hajjar From Lebanese Armed Forces, Major General Luciano Portolano and Mr. Milan Trojanovic, Director of Mission Support, spoke high standards of discipline and the excellent relationship being maintained with the local population during the formal meeting.
Structural decorations that had been put up including a replica of a roaring Lion at the entrance to the SRIBAT premises, added colour and symbolically greeted the invitees.
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