Sri Lankan Ambassador Visits UNIFIL Headquarters and Peacekeeping Personnel in Lebanon

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Anura Withanage, visited the United Nations peacekeeping headquarters in Naqoura and met with Sri Lankan personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on September 18, according to the Foreign Ministry.

During the visit, Ambassador Withanage met Major General Diodato Abagnara, Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNIFIL. The engagement was preceded by a guard of honour, while the Ambassador also signed the Book of Honour and exchanged gifts with Major General Abagnara.

Discussions focused on UNIFIL’s role in southern Lebanon and Sri Lanka’s contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations. Major General Abagnara expressed appreciation for the Sri Lankan personnel serving with the mission, particularly those assigned to protect the UNIFIL headquarters.

The Ambassador reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to international peacekeeping efforts.

The delegation subsequently visited the Sri Lankan contingent at Green Hill, where they were received by Lieutenant Colonel Mahesh Pathiraja, Commander of the Sri Lankan unit at UNIFIL headquarters, and other personnel.

The visit included cultural activities and Sri Lankan cuisine, while the Ambassador discussed the contingent’s operational responsibilities and commended their service in southern Lebanon.

Withanage assured the personnel of the Embassy’s continued support throughout their deployment and encouraged them to maintain professionalism and discipline in carrying out their duties.

The Embassy in Beirut issued its account of the visit on October 5, highlighting the engagement with UNIFIL leadership and Sri Lankan peacekeeping personnel serving in Lebanon.