Indian Navy Chief visits Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 30 June 2010, 08:08 GMT]
Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy Admiral Nirmal Verma arrived in Colombo Sunday on a five day visit to Sri Lanka as a part of efforts to strengthen bilateral defense ties with Sri Lanka, met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Admiral Verma during was scheduled to grace Sri Lanka Navy officers' passing out parade at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee.

Discussions were held to promote bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between the navies of the two countries.

Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Vice Admiral Thissara Samarasinghe and Indian High Commissioner Ashok Kantha were also present during the meeting between the SL president and the Indian Navy commander.

This is Admiral Verma’s first official visit since assuming duties as India’s Navy Commander.

The Indian Navy Ship “INS Delhi” also docked at the Colombo Port on Sunday to coincide with Admiral Verma’s visit.

The Indian Navy has provided two naval ships to Sri Lanka.