Colombo: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Indian Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh at the Presidential Secretariat this morning, during the Indian Defence Minister’s official visit to Sri Lanka. This visit aims to further strengthen the cooperation between the two nations, marking the first official visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Sri Lanka in 38 years.
According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the President and the Indian Defence Minister held extensive discussions on enhancing defence, economic, maritime, and regional partnerships between India and Sri Lanka. The historical ties between the two countries were also emphasized during these discussions. President Dissanayake briefed the Indian Defence Minister on Sri Lanka’s national programme to combat drug trafficking, highlighting the need for India’s support to tackle the issue in the Indian Ocean region. He expressed optimism that India would assist in extraditing Sri Lankan drug traffickers jailed in India.
The President acknowl
edged India’s support during challenging times and reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to maintaining peace in the Indian Ocean. He emphasized that Sri Lanka’s decisions consider both national and regional interests while respecting its sovereignty in international agreements. The Indian Defence Minister appreciated Sri Lanka’s efforts in keeping the Indian Ocean region peaceful.
President Dissanayake praised the Indian military’s assistance in rebuilding infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. He expressed confidence that the newly concluded agreements would bolster the capabilities of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and enhance bilateral defence cooperation. Minister Singh reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s significance in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and commended the President’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
Special attention was given to the fisheries issue, with both parties discussing India’s support to protect the livelihood of Sri Lankan fishermen and collaborating on resolving the matter. Thr
ee new agreements were exchanged in the presence of President Dissanayake and Minister Singh, marking a significant step toward expanding cooperation. These agreements include upgrading L70 guns for the Sri Lanka Air Force, academic cooperation between the National Defence Colleges of both countries, and bilateral cooperation between the Sri Lanka Cadet Corps and the Indian Cadet Corps.
Moreover, President Dissanayake and Minister Singh remotely inaugurated three Bailey bridges in the Kurunegala and Batticaloa districts, funded by the Indian government. These bridges, part of India’s rehabilitation assistance programme, aim to restore essential road connectivity following Cyclone Ditwah.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd); Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Chief of Staff to the President, Prabath Chandrakeerthi; Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage; Acting Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Indika Wi
jegunawardena; and high-ranking officials from India’s Ministries of Defence and External Affairs.