MALI’S DIRECTOR MINUSMA MISSION SUPPORT, IMPRESSED WITH SLA PROFESSIONALISM SUGGESTS SRI LANKAN COMBAT CONVOY COMPANY BE EXPANDED

Mali-based Director Mission Support - United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), Lieutenant General (Retd) Anton Antvhev during a brief visit to the Headquarters Sector East invited the Sri Lankan Contingent Sri Lankan Combat Convoy Company Commander Lieutenant Colonel Srinath Gallage of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment to his office and appreciated tasks being performed by Sri Lankan Contingent with majority of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment troops and commended operational capacity of Sri Lankan Combat Convoy Company Troops.

“Operational flexibility of a peacekeeping force depends on its organic capability to logistically sustain itself, and also the mandate itself demands the mission to protect the civilians in conflict scenario. Providing safety, security and freedom of movement to civilians as well as for various UN agencies and NGOs operating in the peacekeeping arena which could be effectively carried out only by Convoy escort operations,” he has reportedly told the Sri Lankan Combat Convoy Company Commander.

He has further explained that MINUSMA’s large footprint has extended logistic Lines of Operation and there are many unsecured areas throughout the areas of responsibility of the MINUSMA and that enemy uses these unsecured areas to exploit and attack convoys. He insisted that the most prominent threat for convoy escort operations is organized and have to expect opportunist armed attacks, ambushes and the placement of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on or around the Main Supply Routes (MSRs). “In this backdrop, Sri Lankan Combat Convoy Company during the convoy escort operations did excellent performances showing high degree of professionalism and disciplines at all aspects. I opine that it is imperative that the Sri Lanka Combat Convoy Company be expanded to a Combat Convoy Battalion level in the theatre of MINUSMA which would definitely enhance realizing of the goals of the Mission mandate” he has commented.

The Logistics officer of the Sri Lankan Combat Convoy Company, Major Jayantha Sooriyasena of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was also present during the interaction.