APD | Sri Lanka to recall peacekeeping contingent commander after UN request

By APD writer Easwaran

COLOMBO, Oct. 20 (APD) - Sri Lanka on Saturday said that it will recall a commander of a peacekeeping contingent in Mali following a UN request.

The Sri Lanka Army said that it will recall the military officer stationed in Mali following the UN request will later appeal against the order.

Following a review of the human rights background of the commander of the Sri Lankan contingent deployed to the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) had requested Sri Lanka to immediately repatriate him to Sri Lanka.

UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric had said that the decision to repatriate the commander was made by the UN following a review, based on recently received information.

Lieutenant Colonel Kalana Amunupure, who commands the Sri Lankan contingent in Mali, has been accused by human rights groups of being involved in rights abuses during the final stages of a 30 year war against the Tamil Tiger rebels.

Army Spokesman Brigadier Sumith Atapattu told APD News the Army will recall Lieutenant Colonel Kalana Amunupure as a mark of respect to the order issued by the UN.

However, he insisted that the allegations against Lieutenant Colonel Kalana Amunupure were baseless and that the Army would file an appeal with the UN.

“We will file the appeal to clear his name as he had served with the UN previously as well. We hope to clear his name and send him back to Mali,” Brigadier Sumith Atapattu said.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)