By Munza Mushtaq
Sri Lanka has decided to increase its army’s presence in the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Mission.
On a directive issued by the country’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka will increase its security contingent to 5000 from the present 900 personnel.
"Our troops will remain prepared to leave at short notice, as soon as the UN gives the green light," Sri Lanka’s Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya told security forces in the island’s northern province while addressing a meeting.
At present, the Sri Lankan peacekeeping unit is serving in earthquake-devastated Haiti under the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) programme.
In 2007, more than 100 Sri Lankan peacekeepers were repatriated after they were accused of paying for sex, in some cases even for underage Haitian girls.