(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The Passing out Parade of the 13th Force Protection Company (FPC), bound for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), together with women soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps (SLAWC) today presented the customary salute to the Chief of Defense Staff and Army Commander General Shavendra Silva.
The Passing out Parade, was held on Sunday (30) at the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regimental Headquarters (RHQ -SLLI) at Panagoda.
This is the first UNIFIL bound group that includes two Lady Officers and seven Other Ranks of the SLAWC, taking up security duties in Lebanon’s Sri Lanka Force Protection Unit, a result of discussions that took place between UN authorities, General Shavendra Silva and the Army Directorate of Overseas Operations.
The SLFPU contingent comprises 10 officers and 115 Other Ranks and it has been made up of with the troops from Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI), Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE), Sri Lanka Signal Corps (SLSC), Mechanized Infantry Regiment (MIR), Commando Regiment (CR), Special Forces (SF), Corps of Engineer Services (CES), Sri Lanka Army Service Corps (SLASC), Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps (SLAMC), Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME), Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps (SLAOC), Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police (SLCMP), Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps (SLAWC) and Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps (SLAGSC).
Speaking at the Occasion, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva told the troops to “maintain the highest level of discipline, commitment to duties and dedication and receive appreciative commendation from all quarters bringing reputation to the country.”
The 12th Sri Lankan contingent already serving the UN assignment (UNFIL) is expected to return home shortly soon after completion of their tenure of service in Lebanon in compliance with provisions of the UN.
