The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Aviation Unit serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was redeployed from Bria to Obo last week (31 Dec) to carry out urgent operational duties in the high-risk Bambouti area of Sector East.

According to the SLAF, this deployment was necessitated by urgent troops resupply and troop insertion tasks in the high-threat and volatile operational area of Bambouti in Sector East, assessed as one of the most challenging within the MINUSCA Area of Responsibility.

In support of this task, the SLAF-operated Mi-17 helicopter UNO 325P was assigned to conduct an essential troops’ resupply mission to Bambouti on the same day of deployment at Obo. 

Given the prevailing threat environment, the operation was executed with coordinated close air support provided by the Tunisian Aviation Unit’s Black Hawk helicopter UNO 316P, ensuring enhanced security throughout the mission profile.

Upon landing at Bambouti and completing the offloading of approximately 1800 kg of troop resupply, the security situation deteriorated rapidly as armed hostile elements were observed advancing toward the helicopter, posing an immediate threat to the aircraft, aircrew, and UN personnel on the ground. 

At the time, fourteen (14) Central African Armed Forces (FACA) soldiers were under the protection of the MINUSCA Temporary Operating Base (TOB) in Bambouti. Through a timely and well-coordinated response, the aircrew ensured the protection and extraction of these fourteen personnel from Bambouti, demonstrating exceptional situational awareness and decisive leadership under pressure.

The SLAF aircrew executed a rapid take-off, thereby averting a potential loss of life. The aircraft subsequently departed the area safely and returned to Obo without sustaining any damage or casualties.

The mission was conducted by an experienced SLAF aircrew led by Wing Commander Nuran Perera as Captain Pilot with Flight Lieutenant Shafrid Iqbal as Co-Pilot, Flight Lieutenant Praveen Rathnayake as Flight Engineer, Flight Sergeant Senevirathne WCN as Loadmaster and Sergeant Bandarra MGSK together with Corporal Weerasinghe KPS serving as Air Gunners. (Newswire)

SLAF Mi-17 crew bravely delivers vital supplies and rescues UN personnel in high-threat Bambouti. Courage, skill and precision above the clouds.
More details: https://t.co/cIChYYJFEl#SLAF #UN #MINUSCA #Airdrops #airliftoperations #srilankaairforce #abovetheclouds pic.twitter.com/wfQXG8Bl1k

— Sri Lanka Air Force (@airforcelk) January 1, 2026

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The 11th contingent of the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps (SLAMC) today embarked on its mission to serve at the Level-2 SRIMED Hospital under the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel R.M.D.B Rajapaksha USP of the SLAMC, with Lieutenant Colonel K.D.P.D.E.A Wijesinghe SLAMC as the Second-in-Command, the contingent comprises 64 military personnel, including 16 Army Officers, 2 Naval Officers, and 46 Other Ranks. 

According to the Sri Lanka Army, their deployment continues Sri Lanka’s commitment to international peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance.

Major General D.K.S.K Dolage USP psc, Colonel Commandant of the SLAMC, and the Centre Commandant of the SLAMC attended the event. 

Family members, Senior Officers, and Other Ranks were also present at the airport to bid farewell to the contingent, offering their support and encouragement for the mission. (Newswire)

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Detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED) in Mali has injured four UN peacekeepers from Sri Lanka, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the report, Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said on Monday the injuries are not serious.

Dujarric further stated that the peacekeepers from the UN mission in Mali, known as MINUSMA, are receiving medical treatment.

The incident occurred on Sunday about 12 km northwest of their camp in Tessalit, in the Kidal region, Dujarric added. When the blast occurred, they were in an armoured vehicle providing security for a logistics convoy.

“About 40 minutes after the incident, a search of the surrounding area discovered a second IED which was successfully detonated,” he said.

“Earlier in the day, the mission had detonated another IED discovered some 23 km northwest of the Tessalit camp.”

The spokesman added the attack on the peacekeepers was indicative of the continuing violence in Mali.

The UN staff union reported earlier this year that the MINUSMA mission was the most deadly of any world body assignment for the ninth year, with 14 personnel killed in 2022. (NewsWire)

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