Defence seminar and exhibition to promote cooperation between India and Sri Lanka

The High Commission of India is organising the first India-Sri Lanka Defence Seminar and Exhibition to promote cooperation and collaboration between the two countries on defence equipment on June 7, 2023, at Taj Samudra, Colombo.

The event would witness participation from the Indian defence industry, Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, the Sri Lanka Armed Forces, the police, and the Special Task Force. The State Minister of Defence, Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, will be the Chief Guest, and other senior officials from Sri Lanka, including the Secretary of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, and the Service Commanders, will grace the event.

The grand event includes a seminar highlighting the capabilities and capacities of the two countries in defence equipment manufacturing and will also exhibit a wide variety of defence products. The event, in keeping with the Government of India’s endeavour to deepen ties with Sri Lanka through inclusive and collaborative engagement, aims to identify newer areas of cooperation for economic revival while ensuring capacity building for the Sri Lanka Armed Forces. The exhibition will also be open to the public, providing them with an opportunity to see various defence equipment on display.

It may be recalled that Sri Lanka's armed forces have been successfully operating a wide range of Indian defence equipment like Indra radar, advanced offshore patrol vessels, L-70 guns, Dornier aircraft, and Army training simulators. Similarly, the Indian armed forces use fast interceptor craft and refit the floating dock at Colombo. More recently, the Government of India has committed to the supply of a floating dock, a maritime rescue coordination centre, and Dornier aircraft, which would ensure capacity building for the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.