UN Medals Awarded to Sri Lankan Peacekeepers in Republic of Haiti
1:00pm on Thursday 5th July 2012
A award Ceremony of UN
Medals to Sri Lankan peacekeepers serving in United Nations
Stabilization Mission in Republic of Hiati (MINUSTAH) was held at the
Sri Lankan Battalion Head Quarters at Leogane, Haiti on 28th June
2012.
The Deputy Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) Mr Kevin Kennedy, Force Commander, Major General Fernando Rodrigus Goulart, Director General Rehabilitation and Colonel of the Regiment (VIR) Major General RV Samaratunga RWP RSP, 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 Lion Thorana, Replica of Military Victory statue and traditional Royal castle in the background of the parade ground created a spirit of celebration. While fluttering the UN and Sri Lankan National flags, Sri Lankan Peace Keepers honored their visiting Chief Guest and the Force Commander on their arrival at the venue to the medal parade ceremony by according them a Guard Turn Out and a special Guard of Honor, in accordance with military traditions.
The ceremony commenced after the Contingent Commander Colonel Srinath Ariyasinghe RSP formally welcomed the invitees to the function, followed by observance of a one-minute silence in memory of Haitians who perished in natural disaster, violence and in memory of all UN Peace Keepers who had laid down their lives whilst in active service in Haiti.
The Force commander MINUSTAH Major General Fernando Rodrigus Goulart appreciated contributions of Sri Lankan Contingent in maintaining peace in Haiti. He mentioned that contributions of Sri Lankan Contingent to MINUSTAH have been exceptional. The Force Commander also admired the discipline and conduct displayed by the Sri Lankan Battalion.
During this Medal awarding ceremony peace keepers of Sri Lanka Air Force consisting Wing Commander Sulochan Marapperuma , Wing Commander Roshan Gunawardana and 42 Airmen are awarded with United Nation Medal.
At 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 out ancestral cultural ethos and heritage. Traditional ‘Wesnatuma’ Salu paliya’, ‘Nagaraksha Dancing’, ‘Drum playing’, and Korean Taekwondo display staged on the occasion drew a rapturous applause from the gathering.
The Deputy Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) Mr Kevin Kennedy, Force Commander, Major General Fernando Rodrigus Goulart, Director General Rehabilitation and Colonel of the Regiment (VIR) Major General RV Samaratunga RWP RSP, 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 Lion Thorana, Replica of Military Victory statue and traditional Royal castle in the background of the parade ground created a spirit of celebration. While fluttering the UN and Sri Lankan National flags, Sri Lankan Peace Keepers honored their visiting Chief Guest and the Force Commander on their arrival at the venue to the medal parade ceremony by according them a Guard Turn Out and a special Guard of Honor, in accordance with military traditions.
The ceremony commenced after the Contingent Commander Colonel Srinath Ariyasinghe RSP formally welcomed the invitees to the function, followed by observance of a one-minute silence in memory of Haitians who perished in natural disaster, violence and in memory of all UN Peace Keepers who had laid down their lives whilst in active service in Haiti.
The Force commander MINUSTAH Major General Fernando Rodrigus Goulart appreciated contributions of Sri Lankan Contingent in maintaining peace in Haiti. He mentioned that contributions of Sri Lankan Contingent to MINUSTAH have been exceptional. The Force Commander also admired the discipline and conduct displayed by the Sri Lankan Battalion.
During this Medal awarding ceremony peace keepers of Sri Lanka Air Force consisting Wing Commander Sulochan Marapperuma , Wing Commander Roshan Gunawardana and 42 Airmen are awarded with United Nation Medal.
At 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 out ancestral cultural ethos and heritage. Traditional ‘Wesnatuma’ Salu paliya’, ‘Nagaraksha Dancing’, ‘Drum playing’, and Korean Taekwondo display staged on the occasion drew a rapturous applause from the gathering.
