Commander of Sri Lanka Army on visit to India
New Delhi, Jun 11: Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, has arrived on an official visit to India from June 11 to 14, 2025. This visit aims to enhance bilateral military cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration, particularly in the areas of training and capability development. Both neighbouring nations continue to strengthen and deepen their longstanding defence partnership.
The first day of the visit began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo paid tribute to the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. He was also given a formal Guard of Honour in the South Block Lawns.
It was followed by a series of high-level meetings beginning with Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army. Both the military leaders discussed wide ranging issues including aspects of bilateral defence cooperation and regional security concerns. Later, Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo was briefed on Op Sindoor and India’s security perspective. He was also briefed by other senior officers of the Indian Army on matters of mutual interest. Lieutenant General Rodrigo also met with Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of Air Staff, and Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary.
On 12th June 2025, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo is scheduled to visit Jaipur and meet Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command. The General Officer will grace the Passing Out Parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, as the Reviewing Officer on 14th June 2025. This visit will mark a poignant return to his alma mater, where he was commissioned in December 1990, with the 87th Course of the IMA-an experience that laid the foundation of his military career. He would review a new generation of officers. Adding a personal and emotional dimension to the ceremony, Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake of Sri Lanka Army, will also be in attendance to witness his son, Foreign Officer Cadet RMNL Rathnayake, being commissioned with the current course. Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo’s visit to India is marked by a series of productive engagements not only strengthening their military ties but also underscores their shared focus on regional security and peace in the Indian Ocean.
