Partnership with India's Gurkha Regiment & Sri Lanka's Gajaba Regiment, soon

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Army to Army Staff Talks (AAST) between Sri Lanka and India are seeking the proposal for Partnership with India's Gurkha Regiment & Sri Lanka's Gajaba Regiment Implemented.

The discussions and outcome of cordial interactions between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army during the three-day (10-12 February) formal 9th Army to Army Staff Talks (AAST) sessions at the Indian Army’s oldest and outstanding Southern Command Headquarters in Pune were formally conveyed to General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army by the Sri Lankan delegation.

The Sri Lankan AAST delegation, Major General Harendra Ranasinghe, Commander, 1 Corps HQ, Major General Sujeewa Senerathyapa, Commander, Security Forces-Jaffna, Major General Ajith Kolombathantri, Military Secretary, Brigadier Kapila Dolage, Director Training and Brigadier Sajith Liyanage, Commander Signal Brigade during the meet with the Army Chief tabled the string of conclusions and the productive outcome where the Indian Army has unequivocally underlined the importance of sustained, sound and strong bilateral links with members of the Sri Lankan Army.

The Indian Army as discussed earlier pledged its Gurkha Regiment’s willingness to be affiliated to the Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army and the proposal is to see the light as early as possible on priority basis, the AAST has been told.

Similarly, both Armies mutually agreed to continue reciprocal High Level Visits and Functional Level Visits on routine basis and these consultations are expected to take place during the first half of this year 2022 between the Deputy Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army and the Director General General Staff of the Sri Lanka Army. Military Secretaries of both Armies meanwhile would initiate similar discussions afterwards during the second half of the year 2022, the Army Chief was told by the delegation who just returned from India.

Likewise, the Indian Army agreed to hold meetings to explore modalities for conduct of Standard Information Management Systems (SIMS) in future while both Armies okayed the establishment of reciprocal alumni associations for interactions as another symbol of long-lasting relations and memory.

Accordingly, the Sri Lankan counterparts agreed to host the first interactive alumni forum in Sri Lanka in the year 2022.

In addition, conduct of bilateral sports exchange programmes covering cricket, hockey and volleyball is to be made a regular occurrence as a symbol of comraderie and brotherhood that prevails between both organizations.

The delegation on behalf of the Commander of the Army has also extended an invitation to former Chiefs of Army Staff and Indian counterparts to grace the Sri Lanka Army Day (10 October) commemorative events on the sidelines of the scheduled 10th AAST sessions in the latter part of the year 2022.

Participation of military bands of both Armies in respective Army Day celebrations was also taken up during these interactions.

In addition, the Indian Army expressed its willingness to provide additional simulators for training purposes of the Sri Lanka Army and invited the delegation during their stay in India to visit the Simulator Development Division (SDD) and the Wargaming Development Centre (WARDEC) of the Indian Army in order to understand capabilities of such models and types of simulators available in the Indian Army.

The meeting was also told that all cordial sessions that ensued in India were of very informative and productive nature and reflect the deep understanding that exists between both organizations and the committed willingness of both militaries to further foster those relations, bringing them to new heights.

The Sri Lankan team also visited the Indian Army's Military Institute of Technology, National Defence Academy and the College of Military Engineering where Sri Lankan Cadet Officers have made exceptional records.

General Shavendra Silva instructed the delegation to follow up with those conclusions and recommendations for the best interest of both organizations since the AAST has continued to mirror the strong and cordial working relationships of both organizations despite setbacks posed by COVID 19 restrictions and protocols.

Major General Anil Kumar Kashid, ADGRC Co-Chairman, Major General Anoop Jakhar, General Officer Commanding, Artillery Division, Brigadier Gaurav Gautam, Brigadier Infantry, Colonel I. P Singh, Colonel Foreign Training and Colonel H Bharatnagar, Colonel Defence & Co-secretary represented the Indian Army during the 9th AAST in Pune.