Colombo: Having brought an end to internal strife in the country, Sri Lanka has told the United Nations that it is prepared to send more troops for peacekeeping missions.
"With the conflict situation in the country being over, the armed services and the police are now in a position to enhance their contribution to the UN peacekeeping forces," the government information department said today.
The Cabinet has approved a proposal to sign an MoU with the United Nations Stand-By Arrangement System (UNSAS) for the purpose.
Presently, around 1,215 Sri Lankan service personnel are serving in UN peace keeping missions in several regions.
"The enhanced participation in UN peace keeping missions will raise the image of the country as a dependable partner in promoting international peace and security, and will also provide international exposure and training for the Armed Forces and the police personnel," the statement added.
Sri Lanka's first ever participation in a UN peacekeeping force came far back in 1960 when some six peacekeepers were deployed in the UN Mission in Congo.
PTI
First Published: Friday, February 11, 2011, 15:25