FIRST BATCH OF SRI LANKA'S 13TH FPC CONTINGENT LEAVES FOR LEBANON FOR UNIFIL DUTIES

The first batch of the Army's 13th Sri Lankan Force Protection Company (FPC) of 75 Army troops, bound for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), inclusive of women soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps (SLAWC), amidst Greetings of Major General Vikum Liyanage, Chief of Staff, Officers, Other Ranks and relatives left for Lebanon this afternoon (5).

Providing a catalyst to their challenging responsibilities away from home, the Chief of Staff, representating the Army Chief General Shavendra Silva arrived at the airport to see them off to Lebanon. Lebanon-bound Sri Lanka’s Force Protection Unit (SLFPU) contingent is comprised of 10 officers and 115 Other Ranks and it has been made up of with troops from the Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI), Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE), Sri Lanka Signal Corps (SLSC), Mechanized Infantry Regiment (MIR), Commando Regiment (CR), Special Forces (SF), Corps of Engineer Services (CES), Sri Lanka Army Service Corps (SLASC), Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps (SLAMC), Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME), Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps (SLAOC), Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police (SLCMP), Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps (SLAWC) and Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps (SLAGSC).

At the airport, those troops in honour of their Chief of Staff presented a simple parade in accordance with military traditions and greeted him. The first batch includes 8 Officers and 67 Other Ranks and those troops before their boarding formalities interacted with the Chief of Staff who in turn wished them best of luck and reminded them of the importance of maintaining the highest level of discipline while serving there as well as their commitment to the role and tasks in Lebanon. He also shared a few thoughts with the troops and inquired into their preparedness and other concerns. A few Senior Officers were also at the airport to receive the Chief of Staff.

Lieutenant Colonel S.M.D.N Samarakoon of Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) serves as the Commanding Officer of the Sri Lanka's FPC contingent. The rest of the contingent is due to depart shortly soon after the first group of the already serving Sri Lankan contingent returns home.

This is the first UNIFIL bound contingent that includes two Lady Officers and seven Other Ranks of the SLAWC, a result of discussions that took place between UN authorities, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and the Army Directorate of Overseas Operations. A few days ago on Sunday (30th January), a parade that took place at the SLLI Regimental HQ in Panagoda saw those FPC troops symbolically receiving the National flag, Army flag, United Nations flag and the Sri Lanka Light Infantry flag respectively from the Army Chief, signalling their overall preparedness for departure to undertake security responsibilities.

Senior Officers, including Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Nishantha Manage, Director General General Staff, Directors, SLLI Senior Officers, Officers, Other Ranks and a few relatives were at the airport to bid them goodbye.