SLA under UN deployment: Troop strength to be doubled

Sri Lanka has received an opportunity to double its military deployment in Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa. Sri Lanka first deployed troops under UN command in Mali several years ago.

Army headquarters said that a UN delegation is here to assess Sri Lanka’s readiness to enhance its deployment. The delegation on Tuesday (21) met Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage at the Army Headquarters at Sri Jayewardenepura.

The UN delegation is scheduled to inspect self-sustenance equipment, combat vehicles and accessories, de-mining devices, Explosive Ordnance Devices, logistic and medical equipment, military hardware, and witness mock demonstrations during their visits (20-25 March) to the 1 Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps, Engineer Division, School of Military Engineering at Embilipitiya, Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers’ Base Workshop at Udawalawa and the Institute of Peacekeeping Support Operations Training Sri Lanka.

The proposed additional ‘Combat Convoy Company B- 1’ is composed of 20 officers and 223 Other Ranks and expects to bring back US $ 9 million annually to the country’s economy. At present, 20 Officers and 223 Other Ranks of the 4th Combat Convoy Company (CCC) are serving the Mali mission.