Lanka increases UN troops

5 April 2010 06:30 am

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has given instructions to the army to increase the number of troops sent on UN Peacekeeping operations every six months from 950 to 5000, Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya told troops in Kilinochchi today.

“PLANS to increase the Army’s UN Peace Keeping Mission contingent quota to 5000, from its present 900 in number at one given time are underway on a directive given by HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa once a proper estimate on related multiple technical needs, associated with such an increase is complete. Our troops will remain prepared to leave at short notice, no sooner than the UN green light is given,” Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya said while speaking to troops at the Mankulam Task Force-3 Headquarters, this morning.

Lieutenant General Jayasuriya during the tour to areas under Security Forces Headquarters, Kilinochchi (SFHQ-K) consecutively visited Task Force-3 Headquarters, Mankulam, 57 Division Headquarters, Kilinochchi, 58 Division Headquarters, Kilinochchi, 65 Division Headquarters, Thunukkai and 66 Division Headquarters, Pooneryn, met officers and soldiers and interacted freely with a large section of Army officers and soldiers serving those areas.