News

Sri Lankan peace-keepers at ‘Ex-Steel Storm – 2020’

Published

5 years ago

2020/10/17

The Sri Lankan Force Protection Company (SLFP-Coy) serving the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), together with UN peace-keepers from France, Italy, Spain, Finland, Ireland, Germany, Slovenia, Ghana, South Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, India, Indonesia, Serbia, Brazil, Bangladesh, China, Poland, and Lebanese Armed Forces recently participated in a five-day-long direct live firing Exercise, ‘Ex-Steel Storm – 2020’.

The SLFP-Coy with three officers and 27 other ranks used four Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) mounted with machine guns, five Multipurpose Machine Guns (MPMGs) and ten personal weapons during this joint-Exercise, designed in order to develop and improve individual shooting skills and confidence in weapons systems, range safety and security measures, capability in drills and operations, serviceability of UNIFIL and Lebanese Armed Forces’ weapon systems, appropriate coordination mechanism and practise necessary liaison procedures between UNIFIL and Lebanese Armed Forces, etc.

Head of the Mission and Force Commander Major General Del Col witnessed the Exercise as the Chief Guest. Deputy Force Commander, Senior Lebanese Military Officers and UNIFIL military representatives were among others who watched the day’s proceedings in the Exercise. The conduct of the event followed strict COVID-19 health guidelines.

The SLFP-Coy is deployed mostly for force protection duties at UNIFIL Headquarters at Naqoura, South Lebanon. Sri Lanka as one of the Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) to the United Nations has been in the practice of sending her troops for UN Peace Keeping assignments since 2004 in large groups after the country became qualified to do so.

At present, Sri Lankan troops, majority being from the Sri Lanka Army have been deployed in Lebanon (UNIFIL), South Sudan (UNMISS), Mali (MINUSMA), Abyei (UNISFA), New York (UNHQ), Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and Western Sahara (MINURSO), either as military observers, Staff Officers, Staff Officer assistants or general contingent troops.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Let’s build a new Sri Lanka upholding harmony, mutual respect by protecting the religious and cultural rights of others- PM

Published

17 hours ago

2026/01/15

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya in her ThaiPongal day message, called upon all Sri Lankans to build a new Sri Lanka upholding harmony, noble qualities such as mutual respect and the protection of the religious and cultural rights of others.

The full text of the PM’s message:

“I extend my heartfelt greetings to the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and abroad who celebrate the ThaiPongal festival, marking a pride tradition that expresses gratitude for the dignity of labour and the protection bestowed by nature.

This noble festivity manifests the world the inseparable bond between human life and nature. We are all creations of nature. There is no path we can take in defiance of nature or beyond it. In that sense, showing respect and gratitude in return for the blessings we receive from nature can be regarded as one of the highest human virtues.

As a nation, we stand today at a decisive turning point. We bear the collective responsibility of steering the country towards a “new era of revival” by bringing about a transformation in attitudes through policy and structural reforms. As a government we have accepted this responsibility and embarked with determination on a new year dedicated to the advancement of our nation even amidst numerous challenges,

As the saying goes, “We can place rice on our plate only if the farmer steps into the mud,” the commitment we make today for the future prosperity of the country is akin to preparing fertile fields in anticipation of a bountiful harvest. This ThaiPongal festival, which honours and expresses gratitude to nature, serves as a guiding light in nurturing citizens enriched with cultural values.

On this ThaiPongal Day, let us all resolve together to build a new Sri Lanka upholding harmony, noble qualities such as mutual respect and the protection of the religious and cultural rights of others.

I sincerely extend my wishes that all the hopes and aspirations of the Tamil people celebrating ThaiPongal may be fulfilled, and that this new beginning may bring happiness and prosperity to everyone.”

News

Ambassador of the United States of America to Sri Lanka pays farewell call on PM

Published

17 hours ago

2026/01/15

Priyan

Ms. Julie Chung, Ambassador of the United States of America to Sri Lanka, paid a farewell call on the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees on the 14th of January, marking the conclusion of her tenure in Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister warmly welcomed the Ambassador and expressed sincere appreciation for her service and significant contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the United States during her tenure. The Prime Minister conveyed special thanks to the Government of the United States for the timely assistance extended to Sri Lanka during the emergency situation following Cyclone Ditwah.

Ms. Julie Chung expressed her gratitude to the new Government of Sri Lanka for the cooperation, support, and spirit of mutual understanding extended to her throughout her tenure, and reaffirmed the continuity of partnership between the two countries.

During the meeting, discussions were held on ongoing cooperation under the Fulbright Scholarship Programme and the United States Peace Corps Programme, with both sides emphasizing their value in fostering strong people-to-people ties and long-term collaboration.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Jayne Howell, Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Menaka Nayyar, Counselor for Public and Cultural Affairs, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director General of the Europe and North America Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Pramuditha Manusinghe, Director of the Europe and North America Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Doctors threaten strike

Published

18 hours ago

2026/01/15

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

The Executive Committee of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has set a 10-day deadline for the NPP government to implement the agreement reached between them and Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa recently.

The GMOA yesterday (14) declared that the decision to launch a countrywide strike on 23 January had been taken at the EC meeting held on Tuesday (13).

GMOA Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa said his Association had resorted to trade union action in the recent past against the failure on the part of the government to address their grievances through the 2026 Budget. However, the GMOA called off such trade union action after Dr. Jayatissa, in writing, assured that the Cabinet approval would be obtained to create a special category of public service as Sri Lanka Health Service to accommodate all categories of doctors and increase the doctors’ DAT (Disturbance, Availability, & Transport) allowance, resolve transport issues in terms of the 22/99 circular, transform additional allowance to a permanent allowance and resolve issues surrounding the research allowance.

The GMOA blamed Minister Jayatissa and the Health Ministry for the developing situation. (SF)