UN MEDALS AWARDED TO SRI LANKAN PEACEKEEPERS IN LEBANON

The Sri Lankan 14th Force Protection Company (SLFPC) deployed in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been honoured at the United Nations medal awarding ceremony held at the Sudirman camp in Greenhill, Naqoura on Wednesday 06 September 2023. Accordingly, United Nations peacekeeping medals were bestowed upon the Sri Lankan Contingent, which consists of 10 Officers and 115 Other Ranks.

Major General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz the Secretary General of United Nations, Head of the Mission and Force Commander (HOM & FC) of UNIFIL graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In his speech, Major General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz commended the professionalism and the commitment of the Sri Lankan contingent. His Excellency the Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to Lebanon and Syria, Mr Kapila Susantha Jayaweera was invited to participate in the medal awarding ceremony as a special Guest of Honour.

The Sri Lanka Army was represented by Major General W A S S Wanasinghe RSP VSV USP ndu the Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General M G W W W C B Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc, the Director General General Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and Colonel P P C Perera psc, Colonel Overseas Operations at the Directorate of Overseas Operations.

The Sri Lanka Army troop contribution to UNIFIL began in 2010 onwards, and it is being assigned at present for the security of the Mission Headquarters in Naqoura. Presently, 14th Sri Lankan Force Protection Company is providing security in vital aspects of the mission area including the UNIFIL headquarters.