21st October 2021 08:03:47 Hours
Hard on the heels of the departure of the Indian Army Chief after a goodwill visit, a delegation of undergraduates studying at the National Defence College (NDC) of India arrived in Sri Lanka this morning (18) on a five-day long familiarization tour.
Hours after their arrival, an 18 member delegation, headed by Major General Hari B Pillai paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva at the Army Headquarters at Sri Jayawardenepura.
The delegation was welcomed to the Army Headquarters by Brigadier Kapila Dolage, Director Training and Brigadier Shantha Ranaweera, Director Operations at the entrance to the main building before they were ushered to the Commander’s Office.
General Shavendra Silva warmly received a representative group of delegates, headed by Major General Hari B Pillai to his office and had a cordial interaction with them. During exchange of views, the Sri Lankan Army Chief commended the ‘Army to Army’ cooperation that continues for so many years between both Sri Lankan and Indian Armed Forces.
General Shavendra Silva towards the end of the friendly interactive meeting awarded a few mementos to the delegates wishing them a pleasant stay in Sri Lanka. The gesture was reciprocated.
Afterwards, Major General Priyankara Fernando, Director General General Staff at the Army Headquarters submitted a power point presentation on the Sri Lanka Army, its history, current roles and tasks and educated the visitors on the organization during a brief conference, attended by the Chief of Staff, Major General Priyantha Perera, Deputy Chief of Staff, Sampath Kotuwegoda and Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Major General Vikum Liyanage.
Adding memories to their visit to the location, all of them with the Sri Lankan Army Chief, General Shavendra Silva sat together for a group photograph before their departure.
The 18-member NDC delegation is composed of tri-service Officers of the Armed Forces of the US, Iran, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Japan under training at the NDC and will stay in Sri Lanka with their accompanying spouses until 23 October.
The delegation on Wednesday (20) tours Jaffna and calls on Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Commander, Security Forces - Jaffna before they salute the memory of fallen IPKF troops at the Palaly monument. They also are scheduled to visit Anurdhapura and Trincomalee areas during their stay in Sri Lanka.
