By: Isuru Parakrama
May 15, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has reaffirmed its determination to play a more substantial role in international peace and security efforts, pledging enhanced contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations during the 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial held in Berlin, Germany.
Representing the country at the summit, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra underscored the government’s renewed focus on accountability, professionalism, and respect for human dignity — especially within the security and defence sectors.
He noted that the new administration’s reform agenda places a strong emphasis on transparency and adherence to international human rights norms, aiming to align domestic practices with global peacekeeping expectations.
“Our reforms are not just inward-looking,” Hemachandra remarked. “They are an outward expression of our readiness to respond to complex global security challenges with integrity and responsibility. Sri Lanka is prepared to take on greater roles in the UN’s peacekeeping architecture, not just as a contributor, but as a trusted and dependable partner.”
He urged the international community and the United Nations to recognise Sri Lanka as a reliable stakeholder in shaping a more resilient and effective peacekeeping landscape.
The Deputy Minister emphasised that Sri Lanka’s contributions are evolving to meet both the operational demands of modern missions and the ethical responsibilities expected of peacekeepers today.
At the ministerial event, Sri Lanka presented a set of concrete pledges outlining its expanded engagement:
- Uniformed Capabilities: The deployment of one Engineer Construction Company and one Quick Reaction Force Company to bolster mission support and rapid-response capacity in conflict zones.
- Training and Capacity Building: The provision of Military Mobile Training Teams under the Light Coordination Mechanism (LCM), offering targeted instruction in areas such as Buddy First Aid, Convoy Operations, Close Air Support and Vertical Troop Insertion, and Weapons Training.
- Support for the Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP): Sri Lanka committed to offering training facilities to support this UN initiative aimed at enhancing engineering and medical capacity in peace operations, especially in cooperation with troop-contributing countries from the Global South.
- Ethical Standards and Conduct: The planned deployment of Conduct and Discipline Officers to ensure adherence to the UN’s strict code of conduct and protect civilian populations from abuse and exploitation during missions.
- Environmental Responsibility: Sri Lanka pledged to send military environmental management officers to promote sustainable practices in mission areas, supporting the UN’s push for greener and more environmentally conscious operations.
These commitments reflect Sri Lanka’s growing ambition to participate not merely as a troop contributor, but as a thought leader in shaping the future of peacekeeping — particularly in areas where ethical conduct, environmental stewardship, and agile deployment are critical.
Over the years, Sri Lanka has maintained a visible, though sometimes contentious, presence in UN peacekeeping operations. However, with the emergence of a new political leadership, the country appears keen to reset its global image, focusing on professionalisation and constructive engagement. The pledges made in Berlin serve as a testament to this strategic shift.
The 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial brought together representatives from over 80 countries, seeking to strengthen international cooperation and enhance the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations worldwide. In this multilateral forum, Sri Lanka’s strengthened stance marks a concerted effort to assert itself as a reliable and reform-minded actor in the global security arena.
