UN peacekeeping mission in Africa: SLAF troop rotate

The 8th Sri Lanka Air Force contingent, assigned for deployment under UN command in the Central African Republic (CAR), departed on Dec 4. The contingent comprised 20 Officers and 89 Airmen.

The contingent is led by the Deputy Contingent Commander, Wing Commander Kanchana Liyanarachchi, and consists of various professionals required to perform duties at the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic.

Meanwhile, the main element of the 7th Aviation Contingent, that comprised 74 personnel, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport, on the previous day, having completed its one-year tenure of peacekeeping in the CAR. The Contingent had been deployed from 01 December 2021 and was contributing to humanitarian and peacekeeping operations in that country.

Troops leaving for deployment in the Central African Republic

During the one year tenure of the 7th Contingent, the total revenue earned for the country was more than USD 9.1 million which was generated by completing 1400 hours of flying, troop salaries and the rentals of contingent-owned equipment.