Highlights of Sri Lankan Navy Commander’s Five-Day Visit to India

Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral R.C. Wijegunaratne led a four-member delegation on a visit to India from 29 Jan to 2 Feb 2017.

The visit aimed at consolidating bilateral naval relations between India and Sri Lanka and to explore new avenues for naval cooperation.

Vice Admiral R.C. Wijegunaratne’s Training in India:

1. The Vice Admiral, as a Sub Lieutenant, had undergone afloat training in 1983-84 and later in anti-submarine warfare in 1989 in Kochi.
2. Vice Admiral R.C. Wijegunaratne had also undergone a course at the prestigious National Defence College New Delhi in 2010.

   

Highlights of Vice Admiral R.C. Wijegunaratne’s Visit to India:

1. During his visit, the Commander interacted with Sri Lanka Navy personnel who are undergoing training with Indian Navy at Kochi and visited the Anti-Submarine Warfare School.
2. He had visited Delhi and Goa prior to arriving in Kochi.
3. He held bilateral discussions with Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff and other senior officials of the Indian Navy on 30^th January 2017.

   

4. Vice Admiral R.C. Wijegunaratne also met the Chief of the Air Staff, Chief of the Army Staff as well as the Director General, Indian Coast Guard. Calls on of the Hon’ble Minister of State for Defence and Defence Secretary were also scheduled as part of his official meetings in New Delhi.
5. In addition to New Delhi, Vice Admiral R.C. Wijegunaratne proceeded to Goa where he visited Naval War College and Goa Shipyard Limited besides interacting with Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area.
6. Vice Admiral A.R. Karve, Flag officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, held discussions with the Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy in which he was given an overview of activities conducted by the Southern Naval Command.
7. Vice Admiral R.C. Wijegunaratne also held discussions with Rear Admiral M.A. Hampiholi, Flag Officer Sea Training, on issues concerning work-up.