Sri Lanka and India are scheduled to sign three agreements on defence cooperation tomorrow (9) during the official visit of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath has confirmed.

The agreements will cover cadet training and joint programmes, cooperation between the two countries’ defence colleges and the free maintenance of anti-aircraft weapons supplied by India to Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing held today (08) at the Department of Government Information, Minister Herath said Indian Minister Singh’s visit is aimed at further strengthening relations between Sri Lanka and India, not limited to defence cooperation.

The Indian Defence Minister is scheduled to meet members of the Indian community in Sri Lanka today. He is expected to hold bilateral talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and meet senior officials of the Ministry of Defence tomorrow. The Indian Minister is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.

The first agreement will establish cooperation between the Sri Lankan and Indian cadet forces, including mutual training and participation in joint programmes, according to the Foreign Minister.

The second will be signed between Sri Lanka’s National Defence College and India’s Defence Services Staff College, providing for knowledge-sharing, exchange programmes and the exchange of instructors.

The third agreement will cover the maintenance of 24 40 mm L70 anti-aircraft guns previously provided to the Sri Lanka Air Force by India as defence assistance between 2000 and 2006.

Minister Herath said India had already provided free maintenance for 18 of the weapons, while the new agreement will provide for the remaining six guns to be maintained free of charge.

Minister Vijitha Herath said the agreements are expected to further strengthen defence cooperation and broader bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and India.