120 Indian Armed forces personnel arrive

A reciprocal cultural visit between Indian and Sri Lankan Armed forces commenced with the arrival of Indian Air Force Aircraft with 120 Indian Armed Forces personnel at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo.

During the next three days, the Indian delegation will visit cultural sites in and around Nuwara Eliya.

The aircraft departed with 120 Sri Lankan Armed Forces personnel for a three-day-long visit to Bodh Gaya, India.

A ceremonial welcome was accorded to the incoming delegation and was received by senior officers of the Indian High Commission, Colombo, and Sri Lankan Armed forces.

A group photograph followed a memento exchange between the heads of delegations from both sides.

This cultural exchange aims to further people-to-people contact between the Armed Forces and expose them to each other’s cultural heritage.

Bilateral relations between Indian and Sri Lankan Armed forces in line with India’s Neighbourhood First Policy have been deep-rooted and extensive.

Defense cooperation between both nations spans multiple spheres, including training, capability development of Sri Lankan Armed Forces personnel, bilateral exercises, bilateral goodwill visits by Navy and Coast Guard ships, and people-to-people contact.

It may be recalled that similar cultural exchanges have occurred twice, with the last visit in June 2019, when 80 Armed Forces personnel from both sides visited India and Sri Lanka.

These visits were halted post-Covid. However, through the efforts of the Ministry of Defense from both sides and the High Commission of India in Colombo, these cultural exchanges have been re-commenced this year.