Sri Lanka and Indian Army discuss military cooperation

The annual Army-to-Army Staff Talks (AAST) between the Sri Lankan Army and the Indian Army began at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)?today.

The Army said that the talks will aim to increase bilateral military cooperation and understanding with special focus on exchange of training modules, infrastructure improvement, knowledge on technical aspects and welfare programmes.

The three day talks, attended by high-ranking senior officers of both organizations is led by Major General Sanjaya Thapa of the Indian Army and Major General A.P de Z Wickramarathna of the Sri Lanka Army.

The four-member Indian delegation, during the conference sessions, will?evaluate the progress of already implemented matters of interest between the two organizations and plan the course of intended action during the coming year.

The day?s itinerary began with the customary welcome speech of Major General A.P de Z Wickramarathna, Director General General Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and Head of the Sri Lankan Army delegation, followed by opening remarks of Major General Sanjaya Thapa, Head of the Indian Army delegation.

Major General A.P de Z Wickramarathna, Director General General Staff, Major General P.W.V Jayasundara, Military Secretary, Major General P.M.R Bandara, Director General Army Sports, Brigadier G.V Ravipriya, Director Training, Brigadier N Hathurusinghe, Brigadier Doctrine and Development, ARTRAC, Brigadier R.P Rajapathirana, Judge Advocate General of the Army, Brigadier S.K Eshwaran, Additional Military Secretary 2, Brigadier E.S Jayasinghe, Director Legal of the Army and Colonel A.S Wickramasena, Colonel Military Secretary, Army Headquarters represented the Sri Lankan delegation.

The Indian Army delegation is represented by Major General Sanjaya Thapa, Director General Financial Planning, Lieutenant Colonel Sidharth Tomar, Lieutenant Colonel G.S Klair and Major Sandeep Bhardwaj. (Colombo Gazette)