The deployment of Sri Lanka's troops in peacekeeping missions has created "extremely positive" impressions regarding the country's armed forces in the international community, military spokesperson Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera has claimed.
“We have deployed our armed forces personnel in Haiti, South Sudan, Lebanon, Congo, New York, Western Sahara, Central Africa etc and they are doing a good job drawing praise from the UN and the respective governments of the countries they serve in. Therefore, deploying more Sri Lankan armed forces personnel in peace keeping will not be a difficult task,” Brigadier Jayaweera said at a briefing.
The "good name" earned by the country's military came as a result of "positive and pragmatic diplomacy" by President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Army Commander Crishantha De Silva, the brigadier further said.
He highlighted that Sri Lankan peacekeeping forces deployed in Haiti were "highly commended" for their performance.
The brigadier failed to mention that Sri Lankan soldiers in Haiti were accused of widespread sexual abuses against Haitian minors whilst on a previous peacekeeping mission. 111 soldiers and 3 officers were repatriated back to Sri Lanka after being part of UN mission in Haiti and were accused of a string of sexual assaults, including rape of children as young as 7 years old.
No one has yet been charged with any offences.
A UN report, published last month, highlighted widespread allegations of serious human rights violations committed by the Sri Lankan army.
The brigadier himself served as an infantry battalion commander in the Vanni, during the time when the most serious abuses are thought to have been committed.
ICP questions UN on impunity for SL peacekeepers (18 September 2013)
Haitian sexual abuse troops remain unpunished (11 January 2012)
Rs 18 billion paid to Sri Lanka for UN peace keeping missions (09 July 2012)
Haitian lawyers condemn impunity for Sri Lankan soldiers (11 September 2011)
Child rape impunity no bar to UN peacekeeping deal with Sri Lanka (27 May 2011)
Sri Lanka forces fire into Haitian civilians (25 November 2009)
UN confirms sex charges against Sri Lankan troops in Haiti child abuse (09 April 2008)
Rape by Sri Lankan troops resurfaces – in Haiti (07 November 2007)
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