The customary UN medal parade, the prestigious military ceremony that appreciates the exemplary contribution made by any specific contingent in Haiti, saw its Sri Lankan and Korean contingents jointly accord a salute to the Chief Guest, Mr Guy Siri, Director Mission Support (Minustah), to Force Commander, Major General Fernando Rodrigus Goulart and to the Special Representative of Sri Lanka Army, Major General W. D. L. P. Wickremasinghe at the Sri Lankan Contingent Headquarters in Leogane, Haiti Wednesday (13).
Major General Wickremasinghe, Deputy Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force attended the medal parade as a special guest of honour, representing the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army.
Structural decorations that had been put up including a replica of the symbolic ancient rock stairs of Anuradhapura Era at the entrance to the parade ground greeted the invitees. The parade square was festooned with a replica of the sacred Temple of the Tooth relic, ‘Dalada Maligawa’, and the Kandy Procession to represent the Sri Lankan culture and the Palace ‘Hyangwonjeong’ to represent the Korean culture. The occasion was dignified and brought about a spirit of celebrations amidst fluttering UN, Korean and Sri Lankan flags.
The Peace Keepers honoured the Chief Guest, Haiti-based UN Force Commander and the Special Representative of Sri Lanka Army after according a Guard Turn Out plus a special Guard of Honour in accordance with military traditions.
Both, the Chief Guest, Mr Guy Siri and the Force Commander addressing the Medal recipients, extolled Sri Lankan contingent's commendable and genuine services, rendered during their tour of duty in Haiti. The Force Commander also recognized the dedication and commitment of all SRIBAT (Sri Lanka Battalion) military personnel and the positive results of their commitments.
He also stressed SRIBAT's high standard of discipline and the excellent relationship with the local population.
The smart parade turned further dignified as the Chief Guest pinned the first memorable UN Peace Keeping Medal on the Sri Lankan Contingent Commander Colonel M. M. Kithsiri, followed by the Force Commander Major General Fernando Rodrigus Goulart, Special Representative of Sri Lanka Army Major General W. D. L. P. Wickremasinghe and Contingent Commanders reached out to each and every member in the parade while pinning memorable UN Peace Keeping Medal.
Towards the end of the military segment of the ceremony, Sri Lankan troops adding elegance and colour to the occasion impressed the spectators, by presenting a string of performances that depicted our cultural roots, ethos and heritage. The ceremony for award of UN medals drew overwhelming admiration of the attendees due to its blend of military and cultural nature as elegantly and colourfully dressed traditional drummers, dancers and performing artists took the centre of stage.
The visiting Major General W. D. L. P. Wickremasinghe shared his thoughts with the Chief Guest and other high ranking officials in the Minustah who were present and discussed matters of concern to future Sri Lankan UN contingents.
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