Following the defeat of Tamil Tiger separatists in May 2009, Sri Lanka says its Armed Forces and the Police are now in a position to enhance their contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Forces.
The Sri Lankan Cabinet Wednesday (09) approved a proposal put forward by the External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Stand-By Arrangement System (UNSAS) to increase Sri Lanka's participation in UN peacekeeping operations.
The government says the enhanced participation in UN peace keeping missions will raise the image of the country as a dependable partner in promoting international peace and security.
Last September President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the UN General Assembly that Sri Lanka with the security threat being over is ready to boost its UN peace keeping operations.
Sri Lanka is a committed partner for UN peacekeeping operations with a total of 1,215 men and women from the three Armed Forces and the Police serving in seven different Peacekeeping Missions.
The opportunity for Sri Lankan troops to participate in overseas peace keeping missions and to work with foreign troops is expected to provide international exposure and training for the country's Armed Forces and the Police personnel while bringing in monetary benefits to the personnel.
It also has the added advantage of gaining priority over other Member States in being selected for deployments, the government says.
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