Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Sri Lanka today (08) on a three-day official visit.
He was received at Bandaranaike International Airport by Deputy Minister of Defence Maj Gen Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Shri Santosh Jha.
Accordingly, he is scheduled to remain in Sri Lanka from today until September 10, 2026.
The visit is aimed at further strengthening defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
During his visit, the Indian Defence Minister is scheduled to call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Defence Ministry Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha, and several other officials.
According to Indian media reports, the visit is also expected to include a review of the implementation of the India-Sri Lanka defence cooperation agreement signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka last year.
This is the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Sri Lanka in 38 years.
Meanwhile, the Colombo Traffic Division has implemented a special traffic plan in view of Rajnath Singh’s visit.
Accordingly, traffic restrictions will be imposed on several main roads in Colombo at various times as the Indian Defence Minister travels to different locations during his three-day visit.
Ahead of his departure for Sri Lanka, Rajnath Singh stated on X that he looked forward to “productive engagement” with the Sri Lankan leadership during the visit and to interacting with the Indian diaspora in Sri Lanka.
“I shall also be interacting with the vibrant Indian diaspora in Sri Lanka,” he said.
He further described Sri Lanka as one of India’s important partners under the “Neighbourhood First” and “MAHASAGAR” initiatives, while highlighting the two countries’ longstanding partnership and deep historical and civilisational ties.
The Ministry of Defence of India stated that Rajnath Singh had departed for Sri Lanka leading a high-level delegation and would hold discussions with the Sri Lankan leadership on a range of issues aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations in mutually beneficial areas, including maritime and defence cooperation.
The Ministry also stated that the Indian Defence Minister is scheduled to interact with members of the Indian diaspora in Colombo during his visit.
