The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) says it has contributed approximately US$ 130 million to the Treasury through its involvement in peacekeeping operations since 2014.

The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa said that the United Nations Headquarters has praised the SLAF contingents stationed in the Central African Republic for their bravery, professionalism and dedication to duty. 

He emphasized that this accomplishment reflects the trust and confidence placed in the military forces of Sri Lanka by the international community, enhancing the nation’s standing on the global stage. 

Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa made the remarks while addressing the passing out parade of another contingent of the Aviation Unit of the SLAF, assigned to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

This heli-deployment, consisting of 20 officers and 88 airmen, is scheduled to depart for the Central African Republic in the first week of December.

The Commander of the Air Force took the salute as the passing out parade was led by Group Captain Uditha De Silva, the Contingent Commander of the 10th contingent at the SLAF Base in Katunayake this week.

Commenting on the heli-deployment, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa further said this mission is anticipated to bring significant economic benefits to the country. (Newswire)

The post Peacekeeping missions since 2014 : SLAF brings US$ 130 Mn appeared first on Newswire.

Two Sri Lankan UN peacekeepers in Lebanon have sustained minor injuries after a nearby village was targeted by an Israeli airstrike, the Sri Lanka Military said. 

Army Spokesman Major General Rasika Kumara told Newswire that the two Sri Lankan Soldiers had been at a United Nations Base in Naqoura village, at the time of the incident.

He said the airstrikes had struck the village close to the base during which shrapnel had hit the two Sri Lankan Soldiers who were taking cover in a nearby bunker.

Stating that the soldiers had sustained minor injuries, the Army Spokesman said that they were being treated at the hospital in the UN base. 

Meanwhile, issuing a statement on the attack, the United Nations Office said the UN Interim Force in Lebanon’s (UNFIL) Naqoura headquarters and nearby positions were repeatedly hit.

“This morning, two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall. The injuries are fortunately, this time, not serious, but they remain in hospital,” the UN mission statement said.

UN peacekeepers are present in south Lebanon to support a return to stability under a 2006 Security Council mandate. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701, according to UNIFIL. (Newswire)

The post Two SL soldiers injured in Israel attack on UN peacekeepers appeared first on Newswire.