India’s Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar concludes successful visit to SL

Saturday, 17 December 2022 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Indian Navy Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral R. Hari Kumar arrived in Colombo on 12 December, on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka, at the invitation of Sri Lanka Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne. Sri Lanka Navy Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera warmly welcomed the CNS on his arrival.

During the visit, CNS called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Minister of State for Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon. Other engagements included meetings with the Defence Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff and Service Commanders. The Admiral was the Chief Guest at the passing out parade of Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee on 15 December.

Indigenous Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri, a multi-role missile frigate of the Indian Navy also made a port call at Colombo on 13 December to complement the visit of the Indian Navy chief. The ship engaged in training engagements with the Sri Lanka Navy and participated in Maritime Partnership Exercises with Sri Lanka Navy.

The Indian Navy shared close interactions with Sri Lanka Navy during annual exercise SLINEX 21 in March 2022. Further, the Indian Navy provided a maritime reconnaissance aircraft to Sri Lanka Air Force in August 2022 to augment its maritime capabilities. The Indian Navy is also providing customised and specialised training to the Sri Lanka Navy including in marine technology.

The visit of CNS symbolises strong relations and close cooperation between the two countries, with Sri Lanka being accorded the status of ‘Priority One’ partner by India. It would strengthen the existing bilateral maritime relations between the two countries and areas of common security concern and enhancing capacity and capability building initiatives towards ensuring peace in the region would be discussed during the visit. The visit is also indicative of the growing camaraderie and friendship between the two nations in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.