Later the Admiral Verma, Mrs. Madulika Verma and the Indian delegation were flown to Colombo aboard a military helicopter.
Admiral Verma's five-day official visit is a first such high-profile visit to Sri Lanka by an Indian naval officer since 2004. His visit is expected to strengthen the bilateral defence ties in post-war Sri Lanka.
During his visit Indian navy chief is expected to hold talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and visit the former war-torn regions, Northern and Eastern Provinces.
He will be the chief guest at the Commissioning Parade of the new batch of Sri Lanka Navy Officers at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee.
According to a report in Hindustan Times Verma is expected to pay his respects at the memorial for the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) soldiers - killed during operations here between 1987 and 1990 - constructed by the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo.
The Indian navy Chief will also visit the Kankasanthurai Harbour to discuss its repair and rehabilitation. To initiate the project, Indian Naval Survey Ship 'Nirupak' would be commencing hydrographical survey of KKS harbour from June 30, the Hindustan Times report said.
The two Navy chiefs have been engaged in mutual affairs in the region over a long period of time. They recently met when they participated in the 19th biennial International Seapower Symposium (ISS) held at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island last October.
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