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SL-China strengthen military ties: Boosts military sector pragmatic co-operation 

02 May 2021

  • Closer military exchanges in the future 

By Yoshitha Perera   Through the signing of the Military Assistance Protocol between Sri Lanka and China following the bilateral discussions held with visiting Chinese Minister of National Defence Wei Fenghe on 28 April, both countries hope to enhance pragmatic co-operation in the military sector, The Sunday Morning learnt.  It was learnt that during the bilateral discussions held between Sri Lanka’s high-ranking defence officials including Defence Secretary (Retd.) Gen. Kamal Gunaratne and the visiting Chinese delegation on 28 April, both countries had signed a Military Assistance Protocol, which would allow for closer military exchanges to be carried out in the future. However, multiple attempts made by The Sunday Morning to contact Defence Secretary Gunaratne to obtain further details on the progress of the bilateral discussions, proved futile.  Meanwhile, speaking to The Sunday Morning, Ministry of Defence Media Co-ordinator Col. Chandima Kumarasinghe said that everything that was required to be known with regard to Fenghe’s visit had been posted on the Defence Ministry’s website.  The Ministry’s website mentioned that the countries had fruitful discussions and that Chinese Ambassador in Colombo Qi Zhenhong, Foreign Ministry Secretary (Retd.) Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, and the tri-forces commanders had also been present during the discussions.  It was mentioned that Defence Secretary Gunaratne had also extended his appreciation to China for the recent support provided by the Chinese Government during the United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution tabled against Sri Lanka.   Also, according to Chinese Defence Ministry reports, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had stated that he hoped that the two militaries will carry out closer exchanges.   The Chinese Defence Ministry reports further noted that during Fenghe’s meeting with Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa, both countries had discussed the long-term friendship between the two militaries and the measures to be taken on further extending co-operation and promoting relations between the two militaries.   


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