The Indian government and the military were fully committed to Sri Lanka’s security and to further strengthening co-operation between the two countries, visiting Indian Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh said yesterday.
General Singh made this comment when he met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday morning, a statement from the President’s Office said.Noting that the Sri Lankan security forces have acquired vast strategic knowledge and experience, Gen. Singh praised Sri Lankan soldiers for their discipline, competencies and outstanding skills and said it would be useful for both countries to learn from each other.
President Rajapaksa thanked India for its support extended to Sri Lanka during the war and said the task would have been much more difficult if not for India’s help.
During the discussion, President Rajapaksa also brought up the issue of Indian fishermen fishing in Sri Lankan waters to which Gen. Singh responded by affirming that a strong message has been conveyed to officials of the State of Tamil Nadu to take the necessary measures to control the situation.
While thanking the Sri Lankan government for constructing the monument commemorating the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), Gen. Singh promised to assist Sri Lanka in meeting the training requirements of the security forces.
Maj. Gen. Rajeev Tewari and the Defense Attaché of the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka Capt. Sumith Kapoor joined Gen. Singh for the discussion while Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Sri Lanka’s Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya were also present.
