SRI LANKA SIGNS STAND-BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE UN FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

Sri Lanka became the 63rd country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on stand-by arrangements for United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The signing ceremony took place in the office of Assistant-Secretary-General and Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations, Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye on 20 May 2011.

The Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka, Ambassador Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona, signed the MOU for Sri Lanka, while Lt Gen Babacar Gaye signed for the United Nations. Ambassador Major General Shavendra Silva, Deputy Permanent Representative, and several senior officials from the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations also witnessed the event.

The United Nations Stand-by-Arrangement System (UNSAS) was established in 1994, to promote more efficient peacekeeping operations. UNSAS is a conditional pledge by Member States to contribute specific resources within agreed response times and restrictions to UN peacekeeping operations. The participating countries register information in advance, such as the number of personnel and equipment available, to participate in UN mandated peacekeeping operations.

By entering into this MOU Sri Lanka upgraded its contribution status from Level-1 to Level -3. This is a turning point of its involvement in peacekeeping since its first contribution in 1960.