''The world most disciplined Lankan Forces'' abused Haitian underage girls

Lankan Forces most disciplined in world - President
Rohan MATHES in Tangalle Daily News lk

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday asserted that Sri Lanka’s Armed Forces are the most disciplined Forces in the world.
President Rajapaksa made this assertion when he handed over the Rana Setha Rana Viru Housing Complex consisting of 88 housing units to families of disabled Rana Viru (War Heroes) who had sacrificed their lives and limbs to protect the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of their Motherland at Seenimodera in Tangalle.
He said: “I respect them profoundly and consider them as the most disciplined Forces in the world. They have not killed or raped anybody.”
The President said the War Heroes were fighting for a cause, with a vision and a mission.
They were fighting with the optimum commitment and dedication to salvage their Motherland from grave and imminent fragmentation. That is why they are dedicated towards a definite victory, the President said.
He pointed out that there was an era when the youth of the country shunned joining the Armed Forces. Nonetheless, they are yearning and very keen to join the Forces now. That is a clear reflection of a paradigm shift in their patriotism and their love and affection to their country.
“It is in this backdrop that certain unscrupulous elements are despising us and the gallant Armed Forces. They are making baseless and unfounded allegations for petty and narrow political gains.
They are also depriving the nation of an honourable peace and the democratic way of life which inculcates peaceful co-existence among all ethnic communities to live sans fear nor suspicion,” President Rajapaksa said.
“We are consistently talking and seeking peace. We are committed to a honourable peace. Nevertheless, the LTTE cannot impose conditions on us, as they did in the past, where agreements were signed with closed eyes, resulting in the betrayal of our country,” he said.
A suicidal terrorist could re-appear anywhere and anytime. There could be ad-hoc and isolated bomb blasts and restrictions. This ought to be expected. However the Forces’ Chiefs, Defence Secretary or the Government are not prepared to resign as demanded by the Opposition,” he said.
“This is not a war of the Rajapaksa family, the Armed Forces, war heroes or any other individual. It is the duty of all citizens who ought to be vigilant of their surroundings and any incident. One and all should rally round the Government, considering it their obligation and service to the nation,” the President added.
Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera, Minister Felix Perera, Hambantota Divisional Secretary, R.M.B.B. Meegasmulla, J.R.P. Suriyapperuma and several others participated

S Lanka troops 'abused Haitians'
BBC
The UN is sending home more than 100 of the 950 Sri Lankan peacekeepers in Haiti, accusing them of sexual abuse, including with underage girls. The UN said the troops had paid for sex and that some of the girls were minors.
UN peacekeepers have been involved in a series of sex-abuse scandals, including this year in Ivory Coast, where 800 were suspended.
The organisation said it had a "zero tolerance" policy but it was up to the supplying nations to discipline troops.
A 2005 UN report suggested a central disciplining policy but member nations could not agree.
'Low standards'
A total of 108 of the Sri Lankan peacekeepers are being sent home.
The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and the Sri Lankan authorities had overseen the investigation.
UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said: "The United Nations and the Sri Lankan government deeply regret any sexual exploitation and abuse that has occurred."
She added: "The [soldiers] are back under national jurisdiction. So far Sri Lanka has said... that they are going to be prosecuted in Sri Lanka."
The UN was working to help the victims of the abuse, she said.
Member states are supplying about 100,000 troops to peacekeeping operations worldwide.
In recent years, peacekeepers in Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have also been accused of sexual exploitation.
In July, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Manfred Nowak, said the standards for selecting peacekeepers were too low.
Mr Nowak said concerns about the quality, training and ethics of peacekeepers were growing.