MINUSCA 5th Contingent Medal Awarding Ceremony
6:12am on Saturday 26th September 2020
The United Nation Service Medal Awarding Parade of 5th Sri Lankan Aviation Contingent, MINUSCA was held on 23 September 2020 at the Contingent in Bria, Central African Republic with precautionary measures in place against the COVID-19 pandemic. The Parade was followed by a Sri Lankan Cultural event and a Drill Display performed by the contingent members. The Contingent Commander, Wing Commander Kushan Wanniarachchi accompanied the Sector Commander - East MINUSCA, Brigadier General Syed Hussain Shah who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and Chief Aviation Officer in MINUSCA, Mr Jake-Olavi Leonamaa, Chief Military Personal Officer, Colonel Mwololo Benedict, Head of Office MINUSCA Staff Bria and numerous other local and foreign dignitaries also participated for the event.
The Chief Guest was welcomed by the Sri Lankan traditional Kandyan Dancers along with cultural drum beats. A replica of the Temple of the Tooth as the backdrop added enormous glamour to the entire event by attracting all the Civil and Military guests who were presentfor the ceremony. The parade was command by Wing Commander KVDL Kumarasinghe and subsequently an outstanding “Drill Display” followed by a cultural show emphasising the background of the Temple of the Tooth in Sri Lanka. All the cultural presentations and decorations of the entire event were highly appreciated by the invitees who witnessed the rich Sri Lankan culture and heritage.
The Chief Guest and all other dignitaries praised the professionalism, dedication and the hospitalityof the Sri Lankan Aviation Contingent throughout the event. Further, during the reading of the citation by CMPO and the Speech by the Chief Guest it was specially highlighted that the Sri Lankan Aviation Contingent remains as the first and the only Aviation Contingent in MINUSCA based out of the capital city of Bangui and highly appreciated the CIMIC Activity carried out by the Contingent members even under the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
The proceedings concluded after the group photograph with the Chief Guest which was followed by a social event and a lunch comprised of Sri Lankan delicacies, along with the native music provided by the Sri Lanka Aviation Calypso Band.
The Chief Guest was welcomed by the Sri Lankan traditional Kandyan Dancers along with cultural drum beats. A replica of the Temple of the Tooth as the backdrop added enormous glamour to the entire event by attracting all the Civil and Military guests who were presentfor the ceremony. The parade was command by Wing Commander KVDL Kumarasinghe and subsequently an outstanding “Drill Display” followed by a cultural show emphasising the background of the Temple of the Tooth in Sri Lanka. All the cultural presentations and decorations of the entire event were highly appreciated by the invitees who witnessed the rich Sri Lankan culture and heritage.
The Chief Guest and all other dignitaries praised the professionalism, dedication and the hospitalityof the Sri Lankan Aviation Contingent throughout the event. Further, during the reading of the citation by CMPO and the Speech by the Chief Guest it was specially highlighted that the Sri Lankan Aviation Contingent remains as the first and the only Aviation Contingent in MINUSCA based out of the capital city of Bangui and highly appreciated the CIMIC Activity carried out by the Contingent members even under the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
The proceedings concluded after the group photograph with the Chief Guest which was followed by a social event and a lunch comprised of Sri Lankan delicacies, along with the native music provided by the Sri Lanka Aviation Calypso Band.
