COLOMBO, 06 September 2021, (TON): The Indian government on Sunday said “it has initiated a visit by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces to New Delhi aimed at strengthening defence cooperation with specific focus on industrial expertise.”

The Sri Lankan delegation to New Delhi will comprise 39 officers who will be exposed to the functioning of all three Service Headquarters while also getting familiarised with the routine of tri-service field formations.

According to an official statement “during the visit several interactions with top Indian Armed Forces officials and visits to various industries and cultural sites have also been scheduled.”

Ahead of the delegation's departure, India's Deputy High Commissioner here Vinod K. Jacob and Assistant Defence Adviser Lt Col Puneet Sushil visited the officers at Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) in Colombo.

During the interaction, Mr Jacob stressed that India and Sri Lanka have centuries old umbilical linkage underpinned by Buddhism and people to people ties.

Maj Gen Lalith Herath, Deputy Commandant, DSCSC appreciated India’s efforts and persistent support towards realisation of the visit. He also underlined that the visit would contribute towards developing greater understanding among the student officers about India’s culture, technical prowess and the structure of elite Indian Armed Forces.