Russia offers training facilitates to Sri Lankan military
February 03, 2020Russia, which offers more training facilities for Sri Lankan military, has pledged to increase assistance to improve air operation capabilities of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF)
The Russian Federation’s Land Forces Commander-in-Chief, General Oleg Salyukov, who is on a five –day official visit, pledged to offer more training opportunities for the Sri Lankan military.
Gen. Salyukov said 72 cadets were trained last year and Russia was looking for avenues to increase the number of trainees this year.
Meanwhile, he said the Russian government would also look forward to increase air operation capabilities of the SLAF
Gen. Salyukov also expressed Russia’s willingness on counter terrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing between two nations when he met Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne at the Ministry, today (03)
Maj. Gen. Gunaratne said Sri Lanka was grateful to the Russian government for being supportive to defeat terrorism and to withstand post-war pressure posed in various international forums to tarnish the image of the Sri Lankan government.
Gen. Salyukov commended about the counter terrorism capabilities of the Sri Lankan military and agreed to share counter terrorism expertise of both countries in future.
Referring to the meetings held with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov who arrived in Sri Lanka last month, Gen. Salyukov said, all the discussions were productive and on track.
Gen. Salyukov, who is on a five-day visit, arrived in Sri Lanka on an invitation of the acting Chief of Defence Staff and the Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva.
He thanked the government for inviting him to witness the 72nd Independence Parade as a Special Guest at the Independence Square tomorrow (4).
Maj. Gen. Gunaratne and Gen. Salyukov exchanged mementos to signify the occasion.
