Indian Naval Chief calls on Defence Secretary

Indian Navy Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Verma paid a courtesy call on Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the Defence Ministry yesterday. Discussions were held to promote bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between the two countries while enhancing security in the Indian Ocean region.

Admiral Verma is on a five day official visit to Sri Lanka, first by an Indian top military brass since the defeat of the LTTE. Exchanges of plaques were also made between the officials marking the occasion.

Naval Chief Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, Western Naval Area Commander Rear Admiral Damayantha Dharmasiriwardena, Indian High Commission officials in Sri Lanka and Defence Attache Captain Pradeep Singh accompanied the Indian Naval Chief.