UN Peace-keeping Hope talks will sort out matters: Army Chief

By Romesh Madushanka   

Army Commander Shavendra Silva yesterday expressed confidence that the discussions with regard to the United Nations Peace Keeping controversy would end on a positive note.  

He said this after participating at the “Flag Blessing” ceremony held at the Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to mark the 70th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army.   
The army commander said the usual practice is for the UN to engage foreign forces in peacekeeping duties for a specified period.   “Soldiers from different countries are deployed for this purpose and redeployed when necessary. We experienced a similar situation in Haiti where the UN gradually reduced the number of Sri Lankan soldiers and finally no one was retained,” he said.