June 16, Colombo (LNW): The newly appointed Defence Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, Senior Colonel Fu Xiao, held discussions with Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) during a courtesy meeting at the Ministry of Defence in Colombo.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to reaffirm the longstanding defence ties between Sri Lanka and China while exploring avenues for deeper cooperation in areas of shared strategic importance. Officials described the discussions as constructive and forward-looking, reflecting the strong diplomatic and military relationship maintained by the two countries over the years.
During the talks, Deputy Minister Jayasekara expressed appreciation for China’s continued support towards the development of Sri Lanka’s defence sector, particularly through military training opportunities, professional capacity-building initiatives and knowledge-sharing programmes that have benefited members of the armed forces.
He also highlighted the evolving security priorities facing Sri Lanka, noting the growing emphasis on maritime security and surveillance as the country seeks to strengthen its ability to monitor and safeguard its surrounding waters. The Deputy Minister reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to maintaining an independent and non-aligned foreign policy while fostering positive relations with international partners.
The discussions focused on several potential areas for future collaboration, including efforts to combat transnational maritime crimes such as narcotics trafficking, illegal arms movements and human smuggling. Both parties also exchanged views on the use of modern technology in defence operations, advanced training systems, simulation-based learning and disaster response capabilities.
Officials noted that enhanced cooperation in these sectors could contribute to regional stability and improve preparedness for emerging security challenges in the Indian Ocean region.
The meeting was also attended by senior representatives from the Chinese Embassy, including the Deputy Defence Attaché and the Naval Attaché, underscoring the importance both countries place on strengthening defence engagement and strategic dialogue.