09th December 2021 13:00:31 Hours
" I was absolutely devastated and saddened to hear this afternoon's (8) tragic helicopter crash carrying India's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his spouse, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and few others while flying across the Coonoor area in Nilgiri district in Tamil Nadu State. General Bipin Rawat, a long-standing true friend of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka, in his former capacity as Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army, visited Sri Lanka in May 2018 for four days, inaugurated a Signal Laboratory of the Sri Lanka Army and explored new areas of 'Army-to- Army' cooperation between both countries during cordial interactions while introducing more training modules and opportunities for Sri Lankan servicemen, which is greatly appreciated, fondly remembered and held in high esteem as a gesture of sound goodwill, brotherhood and cooperation that has been in existence for thousands of years between both countries," General Shavendra Silva stated in a condolence message, released this afternoon.
" It is pertinent to mention here that General Bipin Rawat has been in constant touch with me over the phone after my assumption of office, and in fact he invited me to be the Chief Guest for a passing out ceremony at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun when he held the office of the Chief of the Army Staff, though the visit had to be indefinitely postponed with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. It was General Bipin Rawat who was instrumental in launching the 'pilgrimage' project for Sri Lankan soldiers and their families by making direct air travel facilities between Bodhgaya and Colombo available, a milestone religious assignment that would be fondly remembered.
His mature military knowledge, command, leadership traits, visionary mission and amiable working relationship, needless to mention, would have ushered in a new era of dynamic professionalism and infused a great inspiration to the troops under his command in the wake of global and regional tensions that posed multifaceted challenges. General Bipin Rawat as a military veteran, no doubt after his elevation as a four-star General and his appointment as India's first Chief of Defence Staff added indelible memories to the annals of the Indian military history due to his sustained commitment to national security and peace of this great Nation and its neighbours.
At this moment of grief, let me as Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army on behalf of All Ranks of Sri Lankan Tri Services express my profound condolences on the sudden and sad demise of General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff and former Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army, his spouse and all military officers killed in the tragedy and share our sincere thoughts with all belonging to those bereaved families at this hour of sorrow. May General Bipin Rawat and all others attain supreme bliss of Nibbana ! ," the message added (Ends).
