Shavendra appointed to UN advisory peacekeeping group

26 January 2012 04:50 pm Views - 8608

Major General Shavendra Silva - Deputy Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations has been selected to the Special Advisory Group on Peace Keeping Operations established by the UN Secretary General to advise on rates of reimbursement to troop-contributing countries and related issues. 

This is the first time that a Sri Lankan has been appointed to such a prestigious post relating to peace keeping operations, throughout Sri Lanka’s 50-year long partnership with the Department of Peacekeeping.

Major General Silva will represent the Asia-Pacific States in this Body.
He joins a group of high ranking diplomats who are members of this key body addressing some of the critical issues related to UN peacekeeping.

Among its members are the former Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and former Canadian Deputy Minister of National Defence Louise Frechette, Former Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guehenno and former US Assistant Secretary of State James Dobbins.

The group is scheduled to commence their first meeting this month to finalise the scope of its work and working modalities. (Supun Dias)