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United News of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Sri Lankan Army commander in India to boost defence ties
New Delhi, June 11 (UNI) Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo arrived here on Wednesday on a four-day official visit aimed at enhancing bilateral military cooperation. This visit is set to enhance bilateral military cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration, particularly in the areas of training and capability enhancement, a Defence Ministry statement said. It underscores the continued efforts of both nations to further strengthen and deepen their longstanding defence partnership. Lt Gen Rodrigo held a series of high-level meetings beginning with an in-depth interaction with Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army. Both the military leaders discussed wide ranging issues including aspects of bilateral defence cooperation and regional security concerns. Later, he was briefed on Operation Sindoor and India's security perspective. He was also briefed by other senior officers of the Indian Army on matters of mutual interest. Lt Gen Rodrigo met with Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of Air Staff and Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary. These meetings provided an opportunity for the exchange of views on broader defence and security issues, focusing on matters of mutual interests. He also planted a tree at the Manekshaw Centre, symbolising time-tested relation of Indian and Sri Lanka Army. On June 12, Lt Gen Rodrigo will visit Jaipur and meet Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command. The General Officer will grace the Passing Out Parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, as the Reviewing Officer on June 14. This visit will mark a poignant return to his alma mater, where he was commissioned in December 1990, with the 87th Course of the IMA-an experience that laid the foundation of his illustrious military career. His presence at the Academy will rekindle memories of his formative years, now brought full circle as he would review a new generation of officers. Adding a personal and emotional dimension to the ceremony, Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake of Sri Lanka Army, will also be in attendance to witness his son, Foreign Officer Cadet RMNL Rathnayake, being commissioned with the current course. This confluence of legacy and leadership underscores the enduring spirit of camaraderie and leadership connect between the two Armies. Lt Gen BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo's visit to India is marked by a series of productive engagements, aimed at furthering the defence relationship between Sri Lanka and India. The visit not only highlights the commitment of both nations to strengthening their military ties but also underscores their shared focus on regional security and peace. UNI RBE SSP
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Sri Lanka Army Chief pays tribute at War Memorial, reviews Guard of Honour in Delhi
New Delhi [India], June 11 (ANI): Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, paid tribute to Indian soldiers at the National War Memorial in New Delhi and reviewed a ceremonial Guard of Honour at South Block, reflecting the strong defence ties between India and Sri Lanka. Taking to X, ADG PI - Indian Army stated, 'Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, in a solemn ceremony, paid tributes to the #Bravehearts by laying a wreath at National War Memorial #NWM, #NewDelhi. He also reviewed an impressive Guard of Honour at the #SouthBlock.' The post added, 'The ceremonies reflected the shared military ethos and camaraderie between the two nations, underscoring the strong and enduring defence ties between India and Sri Lanka.' Reinforcing these strong bilateral relations, last month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with a delegation of parliamentary colleagues from Sri Lanka who were visiting India for the PRIDE Capacity Building Program. He appreciated their condemnation of terrorism and their expressions of sympathy regarding the Pahalgam attack, highlighting the growing mutual trust and cooperation beyond military engagement. He also discussed India's Neighbourhood First policy, emphasising the importance of strong people-to-people ties in fostering regional cooperation and development. Jaishankar reiterated India's commitment to supporting Sri Lanka's development and progress, underscoring the close and friendly relations between the two countries. In a post shared on X, Jaishankar said, 'Had a warm interaction with parliamentary colleagues from Sri Lanka visiting India for the PRIDE Capacity Building Program. Appreciate their condemnation of terrorism and expressions of sympathy on the Pahalgam attack. Discussed our Neighbourhood First policy, underpinned by strong people to people ties. Reiterated our commitment to Sri Lanka's development and progress.' The interaction comes amid a broader diplomatic outreach by India in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor - a military operation launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian civilians. The attack was carried out by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. As part of its response, India targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists affiliated with groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. India and Sri Lanka share a longstanding bond rooted in over 2,500 years of civilisational ties. Sri Lanka holds a central place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and the MAHASAGAR vision - Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. This deep historical and cultural connection has evolved into a multifaceted bilateral partnership covering a wide array of sectors. As part of India's capacity-building efforts, nearly 710 scholarships are offered annually to Sri Lankan students. Under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program, 402 fully-funded training slots are provided to officials and eligible citizens. A Cooperation Agreement also enables the training of 1,500 Sri Lankan civil servants over five years at the National Centre for Good Governance - with four batches trained in 2024 alone. Further cooperation in 2024 included a special course for 23 Sri Lankan diplomats and officials at SSIFS and training for over 2,000 plantation school teachers in STEM subjects between August and October. Technical expertise is also extended through Indian institutions under the 'Study in India' Program. (ANI)
The Mainichi
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Japan, Sri Lanka agree to enhance cooperation of defense forces
COLOMBO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Sri Lankan Deputy Defense Minister Aruna Jayasekara agreed Sunday to strengthen cooperation between their countries' defense forces to promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Nakatani's visit to Sri Lanka, the second by a Japanese defense minister, underscores the importance Japan places on ties with the island nation, which sits along key shipping lanes, amid China's growing economic and military influence in the region. During the talks in Colombo, Nakatani expressed his "serious concerns over unilateral attempts to change the status quo," according to the Japanese Defense Ministry, with China's assertiveness in the East and South China seas apparently in mind. Nakatani also said reinforcing the partnership between the two countries is essential for prosperity in the region amid "increasing uncertainty in the international situation." The two countries are planning projects to deepen cooperation across all three branches of their defense forces, including inviting the Sri Lanka Army to observe disaster response exercises in Japan and collaborating on the development of air rescue and medical flight capabilities, according to the ministry. Nakatani also met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya the same day, agreeing on the importance of upholding a free and open maritime order and strengthening defense cooperation to help ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, the ministry said. In 2018, Itsunori Onodera became the first Japanese defense minister to visit the Indian Ocean island, where China and India are vying for influence.
Japan Today
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Japan, Sri Lanka agree to enhance cooperation of defense forces
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Sri Lankan Deputy Defense Minister Aruna Jayasekara agreed Sunday to strengthen cooperation between their countries' defense forces to promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Nakatani's visit to Sri Lanka, the second by a Japanese defense minister, underscores the importance Japan places on ties with the island nation, which sits along key shipping lanes, amid China's growing economic and military influence in the region. During the talks in Colombo, Nakatani expressed his "serious concerns over unilateral attempts to change the status quo," according to the Japanese Defense Ministry, with China's assertiveness in the East and South China seas apparently in mind. Nakatani also said reinforcing the partnership between the two countries is essential for prosperity in the region amid "increasing uncertainty in the international situation." The two countries are planning projects to deepen cooperation across all three branches of their defense forces, including inviting the Sri Lanka Army to observe disaster response exercises in Japan and collaborating on the development of air rescue and medical flight capabilities, according to the ministry. Nakatani also met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya the same day, agreeing on the importance of upholding a free and open maritime order and strengthening defense cooperation to help ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, the ministry said. In 2018, Itsunori Onodera became the first Japanese defense minister to visit the Indian Ocean island, where China and India are vying for influence. © KYODO
Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Japan, Sri Lanka agree to enhance cooperation of defence forces
COLOMBO – Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani and Sri Lankan Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara agreed on May 4 to strengthen cooperation between their countries' defence forces to promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Mr Nakatani's visit to Sri Lanka, the second by a Japanese defence minister, underscores the importance Japan places on ties with the island nation, which sits along key shipping lanes, amid China's growing economic and military influence in the region. During the talks in Colombo, Mr Nakatani expressed his 'serious concerns over unilateral attempts to change the status quo', according to the Japanese Defence Ministry, with China's assertiveness in the East and South China seas apparently in mind. Mr Nakatani also said reinforcing the partnership between the two countries is essential for prosperity in the region amid 'increasing uncertainty in the international situation'. The two countries are planning projects to deepen cooperation across all three branches of their defence forces, including inviting the Sri Lanka Army to observe disaster response exercises in Japan and collaborating on the development of air rescue and medical flight capabilities, according to the ministry. Mr Nakatani also met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya the same day, agreeing on the importance of upholding a free and open maritime order and strengthening defence cooperation to help ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, the ministry said. - KYODO NEWS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
