At the cordial invitation extended by the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA) Sri Lanka, Admiral R Hari Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, the Chief of Naval Staff of Indian Navy arrived in the island to attend the Commissioning Parade as the Chief Guest at the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA), Trincomalee scheduled on 15 December 2022.
The senior officer is scheduled to spend 5 days in Sri Lanka during which he would visit key defence establishments of Sri Lanka and review the progress of various bilateral defence cooperation activities. As a part of scheduled series of visits, the visiting Chief of Naval Staff of Indian Navy called on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil today (14 December) morning.
The visiting Chief of Naval Staff was received by Major General Rohitha Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc (Chief of Staff, OCDS) where CDS warmly welcomed the visiting Admiral R Hari Kumar and accompanied to the office having introduced his Tri Service senior Staff Officers at the entrance.
During the cordial meeting took place at the office of the CDS, bilateral matters of mutual interest were taken into discussion. They also exchanged views on maritime security in the region and related other issues. Further, CDS conveyed his gratefulness to the Indian Navy for the support extended to the Sri Lanka Navy by training officers and sailors on diverse courses and exercises on board. At the same time, CDS thankfully emphasized the assistance extended in preventing drug trafficking and illegal maritime activities over the years and looked forward to continuing the strong relations in the same spirit into the future as well. Marking this significant visit to the office of the CDS, the visiting Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy endowed his compliments in the Visitors’ Book.
Respecting the rich military traditions, both leaders exchanged mementos as a token of assurance of continued mutual understanding and goodwill.