Army Commander calls on Indian service chiefs in New Delhi

Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, now in New Delhi to attend several military ceremonies at the invitation of his counterpart in the Indian Army, on Tuesday paid courtesy calls on Indian tri-service chiefs and deputies.

Four star General V.K Singh, Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army, warmly welcomed the Army Commander at his office and exchanged views on bilateral matters of military importance to both countries with special focus on intensified training programmes between the two armies.

Both Indian Chief of Army Staff and the Army Commander after cordial discussions exchanged mementoes and symbolized their long lasting understanding and cordial relations.

Afterwards, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya called on Air Chief Marshal N.A.K Browne, Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force, Admiral Nirmal Verma, Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Naval Staff, and Lieutenant General S.K Singh, Vice Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army, Indian Army’s second senior most officer at their separate offices in New Delhi.

The Indian Chief of Army Staff in honour of the visiting Sri Lankan Army Chief and his accompanying retinue hosted a banquet.

As the final leg of the day’s itinerary, Army Commander paid a courtesy call on Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner, Prasad Kariyawasam at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Delhi.

Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya on the sidelines of the main programme of the Sri Lankan delegation met several spouses of senior Army Officers in the Indian Army and exchanged pleasantries. Earlier, Indian Chief of Army Staff, General V.K Singh, showing his goodwill and regional cooperation visited Sri Lanka in September 2010 in response to a cordial invitation extended by the Commander of Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya.

General Singh was the first trained commando to take over as the Army Chief who has vast experience in counter-insurgency operations. General Singh is a recipient of the ‘Ati Vishist Seva Medal’ (AVSM) for his distinguished service and became the Chief of Army Staff on March 31, 2010. Air Chief Marshal N.A.K Browne, Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force, the 19 Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force took over the office on July 31, 2011.

Before he was appointed the Chief of Air Staff, he served as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Chief Operations Officer and Air Officer Commanding of the SU-30 Base and several other key appointments.

Admiral Nirmal Verma, Chief of Naval Staff, Indian Navy took office on July 29, 2011 and served a number of distinguished appointments including Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans), Chief of Personnel, Vice Chief of Naval Staff and the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief.