UK's first Sea Lord arrives today

COLOMBO: The United Kingdom's first Sea Lord and Chief of Naval staff Admiral Sir Jonathan Band, will arrive in Sri Lanka today. He is here on a courtesy call, the British High Commission said.

Sir Jonathan who is also the Commander in Chief of the fleet of the Royal Navy and the Commander in Chief of the East Atlantic and the Commander of the Allied Naval Force for North, will be in Sri Lanka till Sunday 4.

The visit of the British Navy chief marks the continuing excellent and longstanding relations between the Royal Navy and the Sri Lankan Navy, the High Commission communique said. "After the Tsunami the Royal Navy Frigate HMS Chatham was deployed in the east coast of Sri Lanka to assist with relief and reconstruction," it added.

In 2002 Queen Elizabeth II appointed him as a knight Commander of the most honourable order of the Bath.

During his visit, the First Lord of sea is scheduled to meet the Chief of Defence Staff, services chiefs and Defence Secretary, and visit the Navy spokesman's office said.

UK trains selected middle and higher level military officials,yearly and most high ranking officials serving in the three forces were trained in UK during some stage in their career.