Attention of the President was drawn to issues arise due to delays in clearances by the Human Rights Council (HRC) when dispatching Police and security forces personnel to the United Nation’s Peace Keeping Missions.
President Maithripala Sirisena had a discussion with HRC members in this regard on June 20 and instructed the Council to take immediate measures to resolve the issue through common understanding and liaison between relevant parties.
Sri Lanka will be at a loss when there is an undue delay in deploying SL officers to UN missions, and it will not only have a negative impact on the economy but also damage the trust and faith the UN had placed on Sri Lanka, the President said.
“Our forces are on high demand due to their discipline and valour,” the President said. “Sri Lanka had been offered training opportunities by several countries and the mechanism to select suitable candidates to follow such training courses should be implemented properly,” he said.
Since 2004, Sri Lanka had been sending troops on UN missions and at present a large contingent from Sri Lanka is serving in different parts of the world.
The Secretary of Defence Major General Shantha Kottegoda, Senior Security Officials and the HRC Chairman Deepika Udugama participated.
(Daily News)