Header

Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

28th October 2016 00:21:23 Hours

Army Chief Meets His Indian Counterpart During Goodwill Visit to South Block

Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva at the invitation of his counterpart in the Indian Army, General Dalbir Singh, Chief of Army Staff, made a two-day (Oct 24 – 25) formal visit to the South Block in New Delhi where the Indian Army Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence are situated.

Formalities in the agenda on the first day for the visiting Sri Lankan Army Chief started with a wreath-laying ceremony on arrival at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, the War Hero monument around the gate to the South Block premises. Soon after the brief and solemn ceremony, the visiting Commander in conformity with military traditions, was invited to receive the salute in the Guard of Honour, presented on his behalf by the Jawans in the Indian Army.

A few minutes later, General Dalbir Singh, Chief of Army Staff, extended a warm welcome to his Sri Lankan counterpart upon his arrival at the former’s office in the South Block.

Talks that ensued between both military leaders focused largely on bilateral matters of interest, exchange of training programmes, current security concerns and a few other relevant issues.

Towards the end of the interactive talks, exchange of symbolic mementoes took place in the office, renewing bonds of goodwill and understanding that have been prevailing between both organizations. He was also invited to leave his memorable comments in the visitors’ book at the Indian Army Chief’s office.

Formal courtesy visits to the Chief of Navy Staff, Admiral Sunil Lamba and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal B.S Dhanoa at their separate offices followed afterwards in the same morning (24) before the Commander was welcomed in a reception, hosted by the Indian Army Chief.

The next day’s itinerary of the visiting Sri Lanka’s Army Commander began with a visit to the Indian Army’s College of Military Engineering (CME) where the Commandant, CME warmly received the visiting Lieutenant General Chrishanthe De Silva.

Inside the CME, the Commander closely interacted with the Commandant and received a comprehensive briefing on ongoing modules of engineering training at the CME and how new technological innovations are crafted to match with fast-changing global trends.

Similarly, the Commander met with the Sri Lankan military officers who are following the Young Officers’ (YO) course at the CME and shared a couple of thoughts with them while inquiring into their progress and well-being.

A few hours later, the visiting Commander had the rare chance of paying a visit to the most prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) of India. There, he met the NDA Commandant and learnt about the curriculum and different types of subjects, being taught in the Academy.

Later on, at the Cadets’ mess, the visiting Commander met a cross section of Sri Lankan cadets, learning there. He also spoke to them and inquired into their training and other matters of relevance before he took leave of them.

Mrs Nayana De Silva, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit in the Sri Lankan Army was meanwhile welcomed in a separate parallel reception, organized by the spouse of the Indian Army Chief. Exchange of mementoes towards the end of the cordial interaction, symbolized the goodwill that prevails between ladies’ clubs of both military organizations.

Major General N.J Walgama, Military Secretary and Lieutenant Colonel Chinthaka Wickremasinghe, Military Assistant were also associated with the Commander’s visit to India.

affiliate tracking url | 2021 New adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 "Ash Stone" GW0089 , Ietp