Indian Army chief General Bikram Singh to visit Sri Lanka

Indian Army chief General Bikram Singh
to visit Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka-India bilateral defence cooperation

Indian Army chief General Bikram Singh and  a delegation of senior Indian Army officials will visit Sri Lanka on Wednesday to step up bilateral defence cooperation and meet the country's top leadership, including President Mahinda Rajapaksa.Chief General Bikram Singh will visit the north, north central and central provinces, the Sri Lankan army said.

The Indian Army Commander will visit Security Force Headquarters Vavunia and the Ex Combatants' Rehabilitation Centre at Poonthottam which will be followed by a visit to Anuradhapura heritage sites.The Indian Army Chief will be the Chief Guest at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (Diyatalawa) Commissioning Parade of 157 Officer Cadets, which includes 18 female cadets. Two female cadets among them are from the Republic of Maldives.

These 157 Officer Cadets will receive their commissioning swards from the Indian Army Chief. The parade will be held on 22 Dec.

The Indian Chief is also scheduled to donate a collection of books to the Sri Lanka Military Academy library and witness the final research presentation conducted by the passing out batch of Officer Cadets on the 21st evening.

On the 23rd after visiting Kandy DaladaMaligawa and sightseeing tour of the hill country the Chief of Indian Army Staff will leave for India.

"This visit will mark another important milestone in the warm and cordial relations between the Indian and Sri Lanka armies", a statement said.