In order to strengthen the existing India-Sri Lanka bilateral ties, a nine-member Sri Lankan Tri- Services delegation, headed by Mr Kapila Waidyaratne, PC, Secretary of Defence made a two-day visit to the Southern Naval Command, (SNC) Kochi from 11 Jan 18.

During their stay at Kochi, the Sri Lankan delegation had discussions with Vice Admiral AR Karve, AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, SNC on matters of mutual interest to both countries, including aspects related to training conducted by Indian Navy for Sri Lankan trainees at various units of SNC. The Sri Lankan delegation also visited Water Survival Training Facility (a facility which trains the aviation crew in survival techniques in case of an aircraft crash at sea), Flight and Tactical Simulator (helicopter flight training simulator), Ship Handling Simulator and Joint Operations Centre, Kochi.

Naval cooperation with Sri Lanka today covers a wide spectrum of activities, ranging from training to operations, which includes Capability Building and Capacity Augmentation, coordinated patrolling along the common maritime border, as well as port calls.

 The visit was undertaken on the sidelines of the 5^th India Sri Lanka Annual Defence Dialogue held at New Delhi from 8-9 Jan 18. The delegation departed Kochi on 12 Jan 18 for Colombo.

Koc/02/Jan18