India and Sri Lanka navies to enhance defence cooperation

The navies of India and Sri Lanka are working very closely in many areas to enhance the naval cooperation between the two countries, a statement from the High Commission of India in Colombo said.
Chief of Indian Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma arrived in Colombo on 08th December following the arrival of two Indian Naval Ships Mysore and Tarangini in Colombo on the previous day to attend the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The Indian Navy Chief participated in the International Band Fiesta, ceremony to award Presidential colours to Sri Lanka Navy by the Sri Lankan President and the Presidential Banquet.

Admiral Verma has also met Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and discussed the progress made in the ongoing Navy to Navy cooperation between the two countries since his last visit in June 2010.

"Navies of India and Sri Lanka have been working closely in many areas and the year has witnessed exchange of the high level visits between the Navies of our two countries," the High Commission statement said noting that Admiral Verma, had earlier visited Sri Lanka from 27 June to 02 July 2010 and Sri Lanka Navy Commander Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe had visited India from 19-27 October 2010.

The High Commission said the two Indian Naval Ships are participating in the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Sri Lanka Navy considering the close and friendly relations between India and Sri Lanka including in the field of defence cooperation.

Indian Naval Ship Mysore is an indigenously built largest Destroyer of the Indian Navy. Indian Naval Ship Tarangini is a Sail Training ship and had recently visited Colombo along with the Indian Naval Ships Tir, Shardul and Indian Coast Guard Ship Varuna from 09-13 October 2010 when it had provided extensive training to Sri Lankan Navy cadets and midshipmen.

Rear Admiral A.K. Chawla of the Indian Navy has participated in the Naval and Maritime Symposium organized by Sri Lanka Navy on 08 December 2010 as part of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations and presented a paper on 'Challenges to Maritime Security'.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy 25-member band has played during the International Band Fiesta in Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

During their visit in Sri Lanka the officers and men of the Indian ships have visited the Chitra Lane School for the Special Child and Children's Resource Centre, and carried out the community service.

The two Indian Naval Ships will be in Colombo till 11 December 2010 and will participate in the Presidential Fleet Review and 'Sail Past' events.

(Photo courtesy of Sri Lanka Defence Ministry)