US Delegation Calls at IPSOTSL to Talk about Women in Security

A US delegation, mandated to evaluate the role of women in peace maintaining and peace building called at Sri Lanka’s Institute of Peace Support Operations Training Sri Lanka (IPSOTSL) at Kukuleganga on Friday (22 Sep).

The US delegation was comprised of Ms. Violeta Roman, US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Ms. Valerie Ann Beglay, US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Nelson-Defence Attaché, US Embassy Colombo, Mr. Mathew Hinson, Political Officer, US Embassy of Colombo, Captain Caitlin Pennicooke, Foreign Affairs Officer, US Embassy of Colombo and Mr. Kapila Dissanayake, Security Cooperation Specialist Office of Defence Cooperation.

The day’s proceedings were chaired by Brigadier C.A Rajapaksa RSP, Commandant, IPSOTSL. The initial presentation of the event was conducted by Lieutenant Colonel G.H Amitha, the Chief Instructor, IPSOTSL, focused on the IPSOTSL and the Sri Lankan contribution to the United Nations as a Troop Contributing Country.

Afterwards, a fruitful discussion ensued with the delegation that covered the subject of Women in Peace and Security Efforts where views were exchanged and possibilities for enhancement of participation in UN Peace keeping assignments were taken up for discussion.

The delegation also had a look at the existing training facilities at the IPSOTSL and assured support for more opportunities in the Global Peace Operations Initiatives (GPOI) for the 2024 training schedule.

Towards the end of the discussions, mementoes were exchanged as tokens of goodwill. This special event was attended by Major P.A.S Cooray, Major K.H.D Mendis, Major W.P.G Kalani, Lieutenant W.L.A De Silva, three Other Ranks.