Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, has arrived in India for an official visit from June 11 to June 14, aimed at enhancing bilateral military cooperation and exploring new avenues for training and capability development. The visit underscores the continued commitment of both nations to deepening their long-standing defense partnership.
The tour commenced with a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, where Lieutenant General Rodrigo paid tribute to soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. This was followed by a formal Guard of Honor in the South Block Lawns, a symbolic gesture of respect from the Indian Army, attended by senior officers.
In a series of high-level meetings, Lieutenant General Rodrigo engaged in discussions with Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of Army Staff, focusing on bilateral defense cooperation and regional security challenges. Additionally, he was briefed on Operation Sindoor and India’s broader security strategy by senior officers.
The Sri Lankan Commander also met Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff; Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of Air Staff; and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, exchanging perspectives on defense collaboration and strategic interests between the two nations.
To symbolize the enduring bond between the Indian and Sri Lanka Armies, Lieutenant General Rodrigo planted a tree at the Manekshaw Centre, reinforcing the time-tested relationship shared by both military forces.
During his visit, he is set to travel to Jaipur on June 12 for discussions with Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command. His engagements will culminate with his role as the Reviewing Officer at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Passing Out Parade in Dehradun on June 14—a moment of personal significance, as he was commissioned at the IMA in December 1990 with the 87th Course.
Adding an emotional dimension to the event, Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake of the Sri Lanka Army will be present to witness his son, Foreign Officer Cadet RMNL Rathnayake, being commissioned with the current course, marking a generational continuity in military tradition.
Lieutenant General Rodrigo’s visit to India highlights the shared focus on regional security, defense cooperation, and military training, reaffirming the strong ties between the two nations.
