Indian Navy Chief on 4-day visit to discuss maritime relations in Colombo with Trinco visit

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 December 2019, 23:52 GMT]
The Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, Admiral Karambir Singh, is on a four-day visit to Colombo from 19 to 22 December 2019 to “consolidate and enhance the bilateral maritime relations between India and Sri Lanka,” a news release from the Indian Navy said. Admiral Karambir Singh was also scheduled to attend the passing out parade of midshipmen at the Naval & Maritime Academy, Trincomalee on Sunday, the report said. Upon his arrival to the island on Thursday, Karambir Singh called on SL Defence Secretary Major General (retd) Kamal Gunaratne.

Karambir Singh discussed with Kamal Gunaratne ways to enhance “cooperation between armed forces of both countries and offered additional training assistance for the Sri Lankan military,” a tweet from the Indian Navy spokesperson said on Friday.

During his stay, Karambir Singh would be holding discussions with the Commander of the SL Navy, Vice Admiral KKVPH De Silva, Service Chiefs and other senior SL Government officials.

Karambir Singh was also expected to meet SL President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his sibling SL Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, news reports in Colombo said.

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