The decision to hold a joint naval drill was taken during a meeting held Monday between the visiting Indian Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar and his Sri Lankan counterpart Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
The Indian official who arrived in the country this afternoon for a three-day official visit with his delegation met key defence officials of Sri Lanka including Chief of the Defence Staff and Commander of the Air Force Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunathilaka, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasooriya and Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe this evening.
As a result of the discussions it has been decided that the Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Naik, will visit Sri Lanka next month.
The Indian delegation comprised senior officers of the three armed services, the Coast Guard, and the ministries of defence and external affairs.
Indian media reports said that security issues common to both sides including the security and safety of sea lanes of communication have been discussed at today's meeting and these common issues will form the basis for bilateral exchanges.
The two sides have also discussed the major ongoing projects, including reactivation of airfields in the war-ravaged areas of Sri Lanka.
The Indian defence secretary has also called on the External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and he is expected to President Mahinda Rajapaksa tomorrow.
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