Sri Lanka and India have signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on defence cooperation following a meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Colombo.

The agreements cover cooperation between the two countries’ National Cadet Corps, institutional ties between their National Defence Colleges, and maintenance support for air-defence systems operated by the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Under the air-defence agreement, India will provide maintenance assistance for the remaining six 40mm L70 air-defence guns operated by the Sri Lanka Air Force.

The agreements are aimed at further strengthening defence cooperation between Sri Lanka and India, including in military training, professional education, equipment maintenance and maritime security.