(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – India and Sri Lanka today agreed to increase cooperation in the security and defence spheres, including regional security, curbing drug smuggling and human trafficking and training of members of the security forces.
These issues were discussed when Indian Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra called on President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s official residence in Colombo yesterday, the President’s office said.
The President thanked the Indian Government for the cooperation extended to Sri Lanka in security issues and for the training provided to Sri Lankan security forces personnel.
He also requested India to increase the number of personnel trained by India. The Indian Defence Secretary agreed to look into the possibility of enhancing training facilities.
President Sirisena stressed the importance of close cooperation between the two countries to ensure regional security. They also exchanged views on issues pertaining to bilateral defence cooperation and regional security.
Sanja Mitra and Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando will continue discussions on these issues to further strengthen security cooperation between the two countries.
Secretary to the President, Udaya Seneviratne and Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu were also present during this discussion.
