Sri Lanka seeks to increase number of UN peacekeepers

SRI LANKA SEEKS TO INCREASE NUMBER OF UN PEACEKEEPERS

The Sri Lankan president said his government wants to contribute more troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions, addressing the Leaders' Summit on Peacekeeping at the United Nations in New York on Monday.

Maithripala Sirisena said “Sri Lanka is pleased to reiterate our continued commitment to UN peacekeeping” stating there would be “significant contributions from the Sri Lanka Army, Air Force and Police”.

“We are committed to ensuring the best possible training and assessment of peacekeepers in Sri Lanka to uphold the highest standards of peacekeeping,” he added.

Mr. Sirisena pledged two Combat Transport Companies, two Field Engineering platoons, one infantry battalion, two Special Force Companies, one Combat Engineering Company, three Infantry Battalions, one Explosive Ordinance Disposal Company and one Force Protection Company, in addition to two Formed Police Units.

Sri Lankan troops have been accused of sexually abusing Haitian minors whilst on a previous peacekeeping mission. 111 soldiers and 3 officers were repatriated back to Sri Lanka after being part of UN mission in Haiti and were accused of a string of sexual assaults, including rape of children as young as 7 years old. No one has yet been charged with any offences.