UN Medals to SLAF Peacekeepers in Haiti
7:37pm on Friday 23rd December 2011
A ceremony to award UN Medals to Sri Lankan peacekeepers serving in United Nations Stabilization Mission in Republic of Haiti (MINUSTAH) was held at the Sri Lankan Battalion Head Quarters in Leogane, Haiti on 20th December 2011.

The Deputy Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) Mr. Nigel Fisher, Acting Force Commander, Major General Felicio De Los Santos, Defence attache of the Sri Lanka embassy in United States of America, Brigadier Dudley Weeraman, Contingent commanders of other contingents, Heads and Staff of various UN Agencies and notables of Republic of Haiti attended the UN Medal Award Parade.

Decorations, including a Makara Thorana, replica of Dalada Maligawa (Temple of Tooth Relic) and traditional paintings in the background of the parade groundcreated a spirit of celebration. Amidst fluttering UN and Sri Lankan National flags, Sri Lankan Peace Keepers honoured their visiting Chief Guest and the Acting Force Commander on their arrival at the venue to the medal parade ceremony according them a Guard Turn Out plus a special Guard of Honour, in accordance with military traditions.
The ceremony commenced after the Contingent Commander Colonel Jaliya Senarathne formally welcomed the invitees to the function, followed by observance of a one-minute silence in memory of Haitians who perished in natural disasters, violence and in memory of all UN Peace Keepers who had laid down their lives whilst in active service in Haiti
Deputy SRSG Mr. Nigel Fisher greatly appreciated the Sri Lankan Contingent for their unwavering commitment to the cause of peace and awarded UN Medals to 949 Sri Lankan Peace- keepers. He dwelt at length on the important contributions made by the Sri Lankan Peacekeepers, undertaking diverse tasks in Haiti ranging from military operations to winning hearts and minds of the local Congolese.

He acknowledged the exceptional contribution of Sri Lankan troops in crisis management and helping the Haitian Government and UN Agencies on various occasions. He commented that results of dedication and commitment of Sri Lankan Peace Keepers in Peace keeping Operations have been impressive and that MINUSTAH was proud of them.

The Acting Force Commander MINUSTAH Major General Felicio De Los Santos appreciated contributions of Sri Lankan Contingent in maintaining peace in Haiti. He said that, contributions of Sri Lankan Contingent to MINUSTAH have been exceptional. The Deputy Force Commander also admired the discipline and conduct displayed by the Sri Lankan peace keepers in the mission.


Later, the Deputy SRSG pinned UN medal to Sri Lankan Contingent Commander Colonel Jaliya Senaratne, Acting Force Commander and other invited Contingent Commanders pinned UN Medals to Officers and other ranks of Sri Lankan Battalion.

During this Medal awarding Ceremony Peace Keepers of Sri Lanka Air Force consisting Wing Commander Ruwan Jayasinghe, Squadron Leader Buddhika Karunanayaka and 48 airmen are awarded with United Nations Medal.

Towards the end of the military segment of the ceremony, Sri Lankan troops adding elegance and colour to the occasion impressed the spectators, by presenting a string of performances that depicted our ancestral cultural ethos and heritage. Traditional ‘Wesnatuma Dancing’, ‘Salu Paliya’, ‘Drum playing’, Gymnastic display and Taekwondo display staged on the occasion drew a thundering applause from the gathering.




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