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Sri Lankan Army commander calls on General Dwivedi for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation
Sri Lankan Army commander calls on General Dwivedi for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation

India Gazette

time15-06-2025

  • General
  • India Gazette

Sri Lankan Army commander calls on General Dwivedi for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation

New Delhi [India], June 15 (ANI): Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, called on Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and discussed enhancing bilateral Defence Cooperation, strengthening military-to-military ties and reaffirming their shared commitment to regional stability and global peace. Talking about the meeting in a post on X, the army said on Saturday, 'India and Sri Lanka, Forging Stronger Bonds Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, called on General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS at the Army House. They engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral Defence Cooperation, strengthening military-to-military ties and reaffirming their shared commitment to regional stability and global peace.' Earlier, in a show of India-Sri Lanka military cooperation, Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake of the Sri Lanka Army 'pipped' his son, Foreign Officer Cadet RMNL Rathnayake at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), marking his first day as a commissioned Sri Lankan Army officer. The ceremony brought the total number of Sri Lankan Army Officers commissioned from IMA to 296, according to the Army. 'This pipping ceremony brings the total number of Sri Lankan Army Officers commissioned from #IMA to 296, highlighting India's long-standing bonds with the friendly foreign countries and Indian Army's commitment in defence cooperation,' the Army said in another post on X. The Sri Lankan Army Chief also congratulated the graduating officer cadets on successfully completing their training and praised both cadets and instructors for the parade's discipline, coordination, and presentation. According to a statement, this visit is a reflection of the traditional, strong and historical military relations between the armies of India and Sri Lanka and will further strengthen mutual cooperation. On this occasion, a total of 451 officer cadets of the 156th Regular Course, 45th Technical Entry Scheme (TES) and 139th Technical Graduate Course, 32 foreign cadets from nine friendly nations including Special Commissioned Officers (SCO-54) completed their training and bid a proud farewell to the academy. (ANI)

'This place forges bonds for a lifetime': Ex-cadet returns to IMA as Sri Lankan Army chief
'This place forges bonds for a lifetime': Ex-cadet returns to IMA as Sri Lankan Army chief

New Indian Express

time14-06-2025

  • General
  • New Indian Express

'This place forges bonds for a lifetime': Ex-cadet returns to IMA as Sri Lankan Army chief

NEW DELHI: It was an emotional homecoming for Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo when he arrived at the hallowed portals of the Indian Military Academy. Now the Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, he returned as the Reviewing Officer for the Passing Out Parade, witnessing the commissioning of a new generation of officers, including foreign cadets from Sri Lanka. It was in December 1990 that General Rodrigo was commissioned as part of the 87th IMA Course and rose to command one of the most battle hardened armies in the sub-continent. While addressing the passing out course, General Rodrigo said, "I am deeply honoured and moved to the point of tears to stand before you as the first IMA alumnus to return as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and review this parade." "Looking at your faces, I see my younger self. This place doesn't just train officers; it forges bonds that last a lifetime," he added. He thanked General Upendra Dwivedi and the Indian Army for the invitation. The Sri Lankan Army chief reflected on how his journey, like that of the officer cadets present, had begun with a simple haircut in the barber chair of the Indian Military Academy. Reflecting on his own journey, he reminded the cadets that commissioning into the armed forces is not just about earning a rank, but embracing a lifelong way of service, responsibility, and leadership.

Sri Lanka promotes soldiers to mark war victory anniversary
Sri Lanka promotes soldiers to mark war victory anniversary

The Print

time20-05-2025

  • Politics
  • The Print

Sri Lanka promotes soldiers to mark war victory anniversary

On May 18, 2009, the Sri Lankan Army declared victory over the LTTE, which for three decades had run a parallel administration in the northern and eastern part of the country in their quest to set up a separate Tamil homeland. On Tuesday, a statement from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's office said that he termed the separatist war waged by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) a tragedy. Colombo, May 20 (PTI) Sri Lanka has granted promotions to over 200 military officers and 12,200 other rankers to mark the 16th national war heroes day that marks victory over the Tamil separatist movement of the LTTE. On May 19, 2009, the then president Mahinda Rajapaksa declared that the last bit of land under LTTE control in the north east region had been wrested back by the government troops. The government therefore observes both days and organises various events. 'The Sri Lanka Army has promoted 186 officers and 10,093 other ranks; the Sri Lanka Navy has promoted 22 officers and 1,256 other ranks, and the Sri Lanka Airforce has promoted nine officers and 868 other ranks', said the statement from the president's office. Dissanayake – who is also the Minister of Defence and the Commander in Chief of the troops – was originally not scheduled to preside over the ceremony, but did attend it and also spoke on the occasion. Calling the separatist war waged by the LTTE to set up a separate Tamil homeland in the north and east regions a tragedy, Dissanayake said: 'For decades, our nation endured the horrors of war. This conflict which inflicted immense suffering on our people and land was brought to an end years ago'. Dissanayake's participation at the last minute had come under fire from several quarters. Foreign minister Vijitha Herath, speaking on a talk show on Derana later on Monday night, however refuted those claims. The president's non-participation had been mentioned owing to a miscommunication and he always wanted to be present at the ceremony, Herath said. 'The truth is.. it was a miscommunication.' PTI CORR NPK NPK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

Sri Lanka marks 16th anniversary of victory over Tamil separatist movement of LTTE
Sri Lanka marks 16th anniversary of victory over Tamil separatist movement of LTTE

The Print

time18-05-2025

  • Politics
  • The Print

Sri Lanka marks 16th anniversary of victory over Tamil separatist movement of LTTE

The grieving relatives of Tamil civilians gathered at the site of the final battle at Mullaivaikkal in the northeastern Mullaithivu district. On 18 May 2009, the Sri Lankan Army declared victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which for three decades had run a parallel administration in the northern and eastern part of the country in their quest to set up a separate Tamil homeland. Colombo, May 18 (PTI) Sunday marked the 16th anniversary of the Sri Lankan military victory over the Tamil separatist movement of the LTTE. Several hundreds of them gathered at the site lighting lamps in their memory calling it the 'Tamil Genocide Day'. In the capital Colombo at the Tamil-dominated city ward, a small ceremony was held amidst demonstration by a small number of Sinhala majority protesters. The state ceremony to pay tribute to government troops will take place at the war hero memorial near parliament here on Monday at 4 pm local time. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who was initially to skip the ceremony, will take part, his office said. Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa in a statement said all those who had sacrificed their lives for the victory need commemorating. Some 27,000 troops lost their lives over the three decades out of which over 6,200 soldiers and 22,000 LTTE cadres died in the final phase which began in July 2006. Indian Peace Keeping force, which was deployed as India's direct intervention in the Sri Lankan conflict between 1987-1990, saw over 1,100 Indian soldiers dying and over 3000 injured. PTI CORR GSP GSP This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

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