Indian defence equipment, training for Lanka

INDIA: Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee has assured that India would provide with necessary defence equipment and training for the Sri Lankan armed forces as and when necessary. Mr. Mukherjee made this assurance when he met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera in New Delhi yesterday.

According to Daily News correspondent in New Delhi talks on Defence cooperation agreement between the two countries were also come up at the meeting held between Indian Defence Minister Mukherjee and Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, and it was mentioned that the two governments were discussing the various aspects of the Agreement.

Mukherjee said the Sri Lankan officers were the users of all the technical opportunities, which India gained in different institutions starting from its National Defence College.

The Indian Defence Minister also pointed out the solidarity expressed by the Indian Government to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, when Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka was attacked by a suicide bomber two weeks ago.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera was accompanied by Secretary to the Foreign Ministry S. Palihakkara and Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, assisted by Sri Lankan envoy in India Romesh Jayasinghe.