January 08, Colombo (LNW): India’s Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, met Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defence, retired Major General Aruna Jayasekara, during a courtesy visit to the Defence Ministry in Colombo as part of a short official tour of the island.
General Dwivedi arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening military-to-military engagement and reviewing areas of mutual cooperation. He was received warmly by the Deputy Minister, with discussions described as constructive and forward-looking.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the talks highlighted the deep-rooted historical and cultural links between the two neighbouring countries, while also focusing on contemporary security challenges. On behalf of the President, the Deputy Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s gratitude to India for its swift and wide-ranging assistance following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
He noted that India’s rapid deployment of disaster response teams, along with humanitarian supplies and technical support, made a significant contribution to relief operations and early recovery efforts. Appreciation was also expressed for ongoing collaboration between the two defence forces in tackling maritime threats, including the interception of narcotics and other cross-border criminal activity.
The meeting also explored avenues for expanding defence cooperation, particularly in areas such as advanced technology, training, capacity development and the exchange of expertise. Both sides acknowledged the value of closer coordination to address evolving regional security needs.
General Dwivedi commended the resilience and unity demonstrated by Sri Lanka’s government and people in responding to recent natural disasters. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening defence ties across all three services — the Army, Navy and Air Force — and underscored New Delhi’s readiness to continue supporting Sri Lanka in disaster management, humanitarian assistance and professional military training.
Emphasising the long-term nature of the partnership, the Indian Army Chief highlighted the importance of strengthening people-to-people connections at every level of leadership. He also stressed the need for regular joint exercises and exchange programmes to improve preparedness and coordination during emergencies.
The discussions, attended by senior Indian Army officials, the Defence Adviser and representatives of the Indian High Commission, were seen as a reaffirmation of the close friendship between Sri Lanka and India, with both sides reiterating their shared commitment to regional stability and security.
