1,132 Strong: Sri Lanka’s Largest Ever UN Peacekeeping Deployment

COLOMBO (News 1st); A total of 1,132 Sri Lankan military personnel are set to be deployed for United Nations peacekeeping operations, marking the largest contingent ever sent from Sri Lanka for such missions.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake joined the outgoing Sri Lanka Army and Police Special Task Force personnel at the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment Centre in Panagoda this morning (26) to extend his best wishes, in a historic first where a sitting President personally attended a departure event of this scale.

The contingent, scheduled to depart in August, will be deployed to Haiti with the objective of stabilizing the ongoing crisis and supporting efforts to restore peace, democracy, and human rights in the country.

It includes 900 Sri Lanka Army personnel from multiple regiments, 189 officers from the Police Special Task Force, and for the first time in Sri Lanka’s military history, 43 female soldiers trained in demining and explosives disposal.

The mission will be supported with armored vehicles, Sri Lanka-manufactured “Unibuffel” vehicles, and two specialized bulletproof vehicles provided by the Presidential Security Division.

The departure of this record number of personnel reinforces Sri Lanka’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping operations, where it has built a reputation for discipline and professionalism over the years.

The President expressed confidence that the outgoing contingent will uphold this legacy while contributing to peace and stability in Haiti.

Senior defense officials, including the Deputy Minister of Defence, the Defence Secretary, the Commanders of the Tri-Forces, the Inspector General of Police, senior military officers, diplomatic representatives, and the families of the departing personnel were also present at the event.