FM reaffirms Sri Lanka's constructive support for UN peacekeeping operations

Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath held an extensive bilateral meeting with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York. The discussions focused on Sri Lanka's enduring contributions to international peacekeeping and civilian protection.

During the meeting, Minister Herath highlighted the professional caliber, discipline, and international reputation of Sri Lankan military and police personnel participating in diverse UN peacekeeping missions across the globe. He affirmed Sri Lanka's willingness to sustain and expand its constructive operational role in fragile post-conflict environments under the UN mandate.

Under-Secretary-General Lacroix conveyed appreciation for Sri Lanka's long-standing contributions to UN Peace Operations, acknowledging the valuable sacrifices made by Sri Lankan peacekeepers in high-risk zones. The meeting also addressed avenues for modernizing training curricula, gender integration, and enhancing operational logistics for future deployments.

The Foreign Minister underscored that Sri Lanka remains dedicated to multilateralism and the global rules-based order, identifying active participation in international peacekeeping as a fundamental pillar of the country's foreign policy.