Over 100 Sri Lankan troops served in Haiti were found guilty of sexual offences, including sexual exploit of minors, by the UN

Guard of Honour for 750 troops from Gemunu Hewa Regiment to be sent to Haiti was held on Sunday at the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Regiment centre in Kuruvita.

The contingent is to replace Singha Regiment troops in Haiti.

Sexual offences

The ceremony, chaired by SLA Chief of Staff Maj. General N Wijesinghe, was also attended by UN coordinator for peace keepers, Ray Redman.

If found guilty, they will be dealt with according to the military law Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara

Colonel AA Kodipppili is the commanding officer of the new contingent in Haiti.

52 SLA officials are among the 750 contingent.

375 of the 750 group which consist of personnel selected from 10 permanent SLA units and six voluntary force units is to leave for Haiti on Monday.

'International conspiracy'

108 Sri Lankan soldiers accused of sexual exploit of minors and other sexual misconduct was deported from Haiti last year.

	Mr. Weerawansa says the accusations are a 'conspiracy' but SLA pledged to investigate

The UN investigation has found all the soldiers guilty of the charges.

Then parliamentary group leader of the JVP, Wimal Weerawansa, told the parliament that the accusations were an ‘international conspiracy’.

SLA spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, told BBC Sandeshaya that Sri Lanka is conducting a separate inquiry into the allegations.

“If found guilty, they will be dealt with according to the military law,” he said.