The Sri Lankan Army has stated that military training received from India has been ongoing for more than four decades and the continuation of the program was “nothing new”.
Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya told the Sunday Leader,
“India providing training opportunities for Army, Navy and Air Force personnel is nothing new”.
“Our relationship with India, when it comes to military training, goes back four decades or more. This has helped both countries to understand their military and also helped Sri Lanka to professionally develop its military personnel. We value this relationship very much and believe that it will continue in the future. However I would like to reiterate that this is not a new development but has been an existing relationship”.
His comments come after repeated condemnation of India’s training of Sri Lankan troops, including most recently from India's Union Shipping Minister, G.K. Vasan.
See our earlier post: India should not train SL security forces says Union Minister (05 December 2013)