Sri Lanka Army is to dispatch a new UN contingent of sixty-one Army Engineers on earth-moving equipment assignments to Central African Republic and Chad, Tuesday (25) afternoon.

In response to a UN request, made to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), three Officers and fifty-eight Other Ranks from Sri Lanka Engineers, inclusive of one from Sri Lanka Electrical Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) are to leave for Central African Republic for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka Army.

A few days ago, another five member aero medical team, increasing the entire contingent to a total of sixty-six, proceeded to Central African Republic at a UN request.

The latest offer is considered a clear endorsement of the UN’s recognition of the professionalism and commitment of the Sri Lanka Army, and Tuesday’s dispatch occurs at a time when arrangements are being made to send the newest contingent of 749 Army personnel to Haiti shortly to relieve the serving contingent.