Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi met the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and discussed ways to enhance bilateral maritime security cooperation. The Navy Chief is on a four-day visit to the island nation, which started earlier this week.
Admiral Tripathi also hosted a Deck Reception onboard the Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Satpura at Colombo with Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Justice & National Integration of Sri Lanka, as the Chief Guest, along with High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Mr Santosh Jha.
The Chief of Naval Staff also held talks with several high-ranking officials in Colombo, including Deputy Defence Minister Maj Gen KP Aruna Jayasekera, Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha, and Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy.
Admiral Tripathi also met Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal VB Edirisinghe and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lt Gen Lasantha Rodrigo.
"The discussions underscored the shared resolve of both nations to enhance defence cooperation and interoperability across the services. Key focus areas included advancing naval collaboration, strengthening maritime security, and exploring avenues for joint training and operational synergy," the Indian Navy said.
"These engagements reaffirmed India's steadfast commitment to strengthening military-to-military ties, promoting capacity building, and fostering greater coordination in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)," it said in a statement.
Admiral Tripathi paid tribute to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial in Colombo on Monday. The solemn ceremony honoured the courage, valour, and supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers who served with distinction during the IPKF operations, the Navy said.
Besides this, Admiral Tripathi also addressed participants at the National Defence College in Colombo on Tuesday, highlighting the historical, cultural, and strategic linkages between India and Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean Region.
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