Sri Lanka, Russia discuss defence cooperation at military forum

Sri Lanka and Russia held discussions on defence cooperation on the sidelines of an international military and technical forum in Moscow.

Sri Lanka’s Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Kapila Waidyaratne attended the opening ceremony of the Army-2017 Expo in Russia recently, the Ministry said.

The International Military-Technical Forum is being held from 22-27 August at the Patriot Expocenter in Moscow, Russia.

During his visit to the exposition Secretary Waidyaratne was received by Russian officials and was accompanied to the expo pavilions where the latest technical aspects of defence and military technical-related industries were showcasing their products. Later he witnessed a demonstration at the Alabino demonstration range.

During the sidelines of the expo Secretary Waidyaratne sat with the Russian Deputy Minister of Defence Alexander Fomin for a formal discussion. A number of high-ranking defence officials were also present at the discussion. The secretary also had talks with top officials of the Federal Services of Military and Technical Cooperation, Russian Federation and JSC- Rosoboronexport. The Secretary also visited the Museum of the Great Patriotic War in Moscow.

Additional Secretary (Defence) RMS Sarath Kumara accompanied the Secretary during the visit.

The Army-2017 Expo is organised by the Russian Defence Ministry and is one of its major annual events. Representatives of large Russian and foreign companies of the military industrial complex, leading research and development institutes as well as project and design offices take part in this expo.