(UTV|COLOMBO) – Expecting to add a catalyst to furthering of defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka and discuss issues of bilateral relevance, Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army, General Bipin Rawat arrived Sunday (13) afternoon on a seven-day long official visit at the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake.
A red carpet welcome ceremony, comprised by traditional Ves dancers adding grandeur to the occasion greeted him on arrival at the tarmac at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.
Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army, together with Mrs Chandrika Senanayake, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU) were at the venue to extend a warm welcome to the visiting India’s Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat and his spouse, Mrs Madhulika Rawat.
The five-member delegation is comprised of the spouse of General Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat, Major General Prithi Singh, Brigadier Mukesh Aggarwal and Major Anshul Ahlawat.
Major General Anura Sudasinghe, Senior Liaison Officer and Captain Ashok Rao, Defence Adviser at Indian High Commission and senior military Officers were also at the airport to receive the Indian Chief of the Army Staff.
During his stay in Sri Lanka, the visiting Army Chief is scheduled to call on the HE the President, Hon Prime Minister, State Minister of Defence, Defence Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff, Tri-forces Commanders and a few others. Moreover, he will attend wreath-laying ceremonies at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) cenotaph at Battaramulla. In addition, he is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka Military Academy at Diyatalawa, Trincomalee and Galle during his stay in the isle.
A parallel separate reception, organized by Mrs Chandrika Senanayake, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit and its members in honour of the spouse of the visiting Army Chief, Mrs Madhulika Rawat, is also scheduled to be held.
A separate welcome ceremony at Taj Samudra Hotel attended by His Excellency Mr. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, High Commissioner of India for Sri Lanka, Major General Ajith Kariyakarawana, Deputy Chief of Staff and several Senior Officers of the Sri Lanka Army greeted him.
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