Sri Lanka dispatched 498 military and police personnel to Haiti in two deployments over three days last week, according to figures released by the Ministry of Defence.
The deployments, which departed on October 14 and 16, will reinforce Sri Lanka’s existing participation in the Gang Suppression Force, a multinational security operation authorised by the United Nations Security Council.
The first group comprised 280 Sri Lanka Army personnel, including 21 officers and 259 other ranks.
Another 218 personnel departed on October 16. That group included 173 Army members and 45 personnel from the Special Task Force.
Combining the two deployments gives 453 Army personnel and 45 STF personnel. The figures were published in a Defence Ministry statement dated October 17.
Nearly 500 personnel dispatched within three days
| Deployment | Army | STF | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 October | 280 | 0 | 280 |
| 16 October | 173 | 45 | 218 |
| Total | 453 | 45 | 498 |
Lakbima News calculations show that Army personnel account for approximately 91% of the newly dispatched force, with STF personnel making up the remaining 9%.
The Ministry of Defence described the deployments as reinforcements for Sri Lankan personnel already serving in Haiti.
It did not provide the number of Sri Lankan personnel previously stationed there. Consequently, the 498 personnel cannot be treated as the country’s total deployed strength.
What Sri Lankan personnel are doing in Haiti
The Defence Ministry says Sri Lankan personnel are involved in security operations that include armoured vehicle patrols and protecting important supply routes.
These activities form part of the wider Gang Suppression Force mission, established to support Haitian authorities in responding to armed gangs that have taken control of parts of the country.
The United Nations Security Council authorised the force in September 2025, replacing the earlier multinational security support arrangement.
The mission works with the Haitian National Police and the country’s armed forces. Its responsibilities include security operations, protection of infrastructure and improving access for humanitarian assistance.
The Security Council has since extended the force’s mandate until March 31, 2027.
The United Nations Support Office in Haiti provides logistical and operational services to the mission. The force itself is a multinational security operation authorised by the Security Council, rather than a conventional UN peacekeeping mission.
Financial arrangements remain undisclosed
The latest Defence Ministry announcement contains no breakdown of the expenditure associated with deploying the 498 personnel.
It does not specify the duration of their assignments, the reimbursement arrangements applicable to Sri Lanka or the total number of personnel the country intends to contribute.
Those details matter when assessing the scale of Sri Lanka’s participation and the financial obligations associated with maintaining personnel overseas.
United Nations documentation distinguishes between the logistical support provided through the UN support office and the financing arrangements for personnel serving in the multinational force.
Establishing the amount payable to Sri Lanka would require confirmation of the applicable deployment and reimbursement agreements.
Bangladesh contingent receives assistance in Sri Lanka
The Defence Ministry also confirmed that the Sri Lanka Army assisted 50 Bangladeshi personnel travelling through the country on their way to Haiti.
The Bangladesh contingent arrived in Sri Lanka on October 15 and received accommodation, meals, transport and other assistance during its transit.
These 50 personnel are separate from the 498 Sri Lankan personnel dispatched during the same period.
The arrangements form part of Sri Lanka’s wider security cooperation with international partners.
Lakbima News previously examined the country’s diplomatic priorities at the United Nations in its report on Sri Lanka’s discussions ahead of the UN General Assembly.
The October 17 Defence Ministry statement establishes the scale of the latest deployments and their intended mission. It provides no date for the personnel’s return or a revised figure for Sri Lanka’s total contingent in Haiti.
