r Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

UN Civilian Protection Course at IPSOTSL Ends

October 18, 2022

The Sri Lanka Army’s training centre for UN assignments, the Institute of Peace Support Operations Training Sri Lanka (IPSOTSL) at Kukuleganga had its Comprehensive Protection of Civilians course (CPOC) - 2022 during 10 - 14 October 2022.

Representatives of the United Nations, Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) and the US Embassy provided their advisory support for conduct of the course. The course was followed by 31 Student Officers of the Sri Lanka Army, 2 Officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force and 1 Officer from Nepal.

The lecture panel included subject experts, including the GPOI organization’s Colonel Gonzalo Mila (Rtd) from Uruguay, Mr Jens Anderson from Denmark and other 4 in-house instructors, Colonel B.D.T.D Jayarathne, Lieutenant Colonel M.L.N.U Liyanage of SLAC, Lieutenant Colonel M.S.R Mohamed of SLEME, Major K.H.D Mendis of SLAGSC.

GPOI is a US Government-funded security assistance programme intended to enhance international capacity to effectively conduct United Nations and regional Peace Support Operations (PSOs) by building friendly foreign nations’ capabilities, capacities to train and sustain peacekeeping proficiencies.

The aim of this training package was to groom and equip officers of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and other Foreign Nations before they were to be employed as UN Contingent members, UN Staff officers and UN military observers in the future employments. Further, it highlighted the importance of protecting civilians as UN Peacekeeping members.

The closing remarks were conducted by the day’s Chief Guest, Brigadier C.A Rajapaksha, Commandant, Institute of Peace Support Operations Training Sri Lanka.

courtesy - www.army.lk