The continued involvement of Sri Lankan troops in UN peacekeeping missions is an “endorsement that recognizes our professionalism at international level,” claimed the commander of Sri Lanka’s army this week.
Speaking to troops due to head to Mali as peacekeepers, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake said it was to Sri Lanka’s “credit” that “more than 17000 Army peacekeepers, about 300 Military Observers and Staff Officers have to-date served foreign UN assignments world-wide with the purpose of restoring global peace”.
“In the future we would definitely be able to multiply our numbers in overseas assignments including Mali,” he added, declaring that “this international involvement is also an endorsement that recognizes our professionalism at international level”.
His remarks come a lawsuit was filed in Haiti against the UN and peacekeeping soldiers, including Sri Lankan troops, by mothers of 'peacekeeper babies' seeking child support and paternity payments. At least 134 Sri Lankan peacekeeping forces are reported to have exploited children in a sex ring in the country, during a UN mission from 2004 to 2007.
The United Nations and the United States have previously stressed the need for accountability for sexual violence committed by Sri Lankan peacekeepers, but Sri Lanka continues to participate in missions.
We need your support
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.
