The medical staff of the hospital, together with the engineering platoon, deployed for construction of the hospital received the UN Medal in appreciation of their valuable contribution to the global peace and security under the UN flag.
This medical contingent from Sri Lanka was deployed in South Sudan to establish a Level 2 Hospital in Jonglei state, following, successful negotiations Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development and the Commander of the Army Lt Gen Daya Ratnayake have had with the UN.
This Hospital, equipped with medical accessories, taken to South Sudan from Sri Lanka, has come in for appreciation of the UN leadership as well as the local and the international community for its modern facilities and high level of professionalism within a very short period, opening up various new avenues for Sri Lanka Army in the sphere of peacekeeping missions.
The medal awarding ceremony was held under the patronage of Ms Hazel De Wet, UNMISS state coordinator for Jonglei State and with the gracious presence of military commanders and other distinguished guests in the UNMISS compound at Bor on the invitation of the Commanding officer Lt Col Saveen Semage.
The chief guest was presented with a Guard Turnout and a Guard of Honour. Later an all ranks lunch was held with the Commanding officer and all the staff.
The newly-built hard walled radiology department of the hospital was also declared open by the chief guest on the same day at the invitation of the Sri Lankan contingent.
The UN assignment in South Sudan for the Sri Lankan contingent is of special significance since it was the first medical contingent to have served a UN assignment.
