Force Protection Company Pre-deployment Course Lebanon (UNIFIL) No 14 was commenced on 05 September 2022. The course consisted with 194 students (16 x Sri Lanka Army Officers, 04 x Air Force Officers and 174 x ORs) representing various corps and regiments.

United Nations Security Council enhanced UNIFIL and decided to monitor the cessation of hostilities, accompany and support the Lebanese Armed Forces as they deploy throughout the south of Lebanon, extend its assistance to help in ensuring the humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.

UNIFIL was established in 1978, and its mandate was expanded with Resolution 1701 (2006) after the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah. Its mandate is renewed on a yearly basis and the Security Council extended UNIFIL’s mandate for another year from 31 August 2022 at the request of the Government of Lebanon, with the adoption of Resolution 2650 (2022). In order to provide capable peacekeepers, the Institute of Peace Support Operations Training Sri Lanka (IPSOTSL) has designed these special courses to provide a basic knowledge on practical and theoretical aspects of United Nations and special tasks which belongs to them according to the mandate. The main objective of this training capsule is to offer a brief awareness about the relevant host country and to prepare peacekeepers to fulfill the UN objectives proficiently and effectively in liaison with various HQs and contingents in the mission environment.

The opening remark was delivered by Brigadier C A Rajapaksha RSP, the commandant of the Institute of Peace Support Operations Training Sri Lanka (IPSOTSL)