Remains of deceased peacekeepers to be brought back home

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The bodies of the two army personnel who were killed in a bomb blast in Douentza, Mali while engaging in a peacekeeping mission are due to be brought to Sri Lanka on the 02nd of February. Military Spokesperson Brigadier Sumith Atapattu noted that the bodies will be handed over to the Army Commander at 3.10 pm on the 02nd of February at the BIA. The bodies will be handed over by a commanding officer of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping force. Three UN representatives are also expected to arrive in the country. On the 25th an armoured vehicle (WMZ) that was carrying Sri Lankan Peacekeeping troops on patrol in the general area of Douentza in Mali, was caught in a remote-controlled high explosive device attack. One Sri Lankan Army Captain and another Sri Lankan Army trooper who were on board the WMZ died as a result of the attack. The victims were Captain H.W.D Jayawickrama of the 11th Sri Lanka Light Infantry from Polonnaruwa and Corporal S.S Wijekumara of 1st Mechanized Infantry Regiment from Thalakolawewa, Polpithigama. The blast injured three other Sri Lankan peacekeepers as well.