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ශ්‍රී ලංකා යුද්ධ හමුදාව

ජාතියේ ආරක්ෂකයා

Both Four-Star Generals Discuss Matters of Military &;amp; Training Interest During Formal Visit

Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan Army General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani NI (M) HI, now in Sri Lanka to attend the Passing-out Parade (PoP) at Diyatalawa Sri Lanka Military Academy, called on his host, Sri Lanka’s counterpart, General Jagath Jayasuriya at the Army Headquarters Friday (28) morning.

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, with his  delegation and the spouse, Mrs Begum Zahida Kayani arrived in Sri Lanka Thursday (27) evening to a warm welcome at Katunayake International Airport.  

The visiting Pakistani Army Chief on arrival at the Army Headquarters was warmly received by Major General R.V. Samarathunga, Colonel of the Regiment, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR), and drove-past the Guard Turn Out at the entrance to the premises, in accordance with military traditions.

Minutes after the inspection, the visiting Pakistani Army Chief was conducted to the saluting dais by Major General R.V. Samarathunga, Colonel of the Regiment, VIR to receive the salute of the Guard of Honour, provided by VIR soldiers and commanded by Captain Rasika Silva.  
     
General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, awaiting the visiting Chief Guest’s arrival at the main porch, afterwards cordially welcomed him, and ushered the four-star General to his office after introducing the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Commander and Principal Staff Officers at Army Headquarters to the visiting General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

Cordial discussions that ensued afterwards between both Army Chiefs at General Jagath Jayasuriya’s office centered largely on military matters of mutual and training interest and possibilities for further enhancing bonds of goodwill and cooperation.

The meeting also explored avenues of receiving more and more training opportunities for Sri Lankan officers in Pakistan, in addition to ongoing training programmes. Participation in Sri Lanka Army’s Defence Seminar, higher education programmes in both countries and Sri Lanka’s military exercise ‘cormorant’, etc were among other matters that were taken up. Discussions also focused on possibilities of broadening bilateral understanding and goodwill among officers of both organizations further.

Towards the end of the interaction, General Jayasuriya presented a special memento as a symbol of goodwill to General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. He symbolically placed his signature on the VIP book at Commander’s office as another indelible gesture. General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani reciprocated and offered his sincere thanks to the Sri Lankan counterpart for the invitation.  

After the Commander’s meeting, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at the AHQ board room listened to a briefing, presented by senior officers of the Army before he left the Army Headquarters to attend the remainder of the day’s itinerary.