News

“India Defence Forces offer around 1500 training slots to SL each year”

Published

1 year ago

March 1, 2023

editor

Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka – Vinod K Jacob has noted that Indian Defence Forces offer about 1500 training slots every year to Sri Lanka which are financed through a special programme with an annual allocation of USD 7 million.

He has said this while addressing the Indian Navy-trained Sri Lanka Defence Forces personnel on board Indian Naval Ship Sukanya in Colombo on 28 February 2023.

He said that training is the strongest and most enduring pillar of bilateral Defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.

Training is imparted for cadets at premier Defence Institutes in India like National Defence College, Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy and Indian Naval Academy. In addition, various service-specific training modules and staff courses are also offered. Sri Lanka receives the maximum number of billets in Higher Defence Management and National Defence College Courses. Deputy High Commissioner noted that it is a matter of immense satisfaction for India that some of these alumni have risen to the ranks of Service Chiefs of Sri Lanka.

Deputy High Commissioner Jacob remarked that India-Sri Lanka relations are excellent and form the highlight of India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. While both countries are working to deepen engagement across the board, five areas are of particular significance in the immediate short and medium term. First is the potential for economic and financial cooperation by building on the Indian support to the people of Sri Lanka in 2022 to the tune of USD 4 billion. He emphasized that focus could be laid on areas such as trade in national currencies, ease of investments and strengthening financial cooperation. Second, the two sides are working towards increasing air, ferry, digital and energy connectivity. Third, a new type of development cooperation partnership building on the existing multi-billion portfolio with special emphasis on vulnerable communities is required. Fourth, both sides need to enhance people to people exchanges, particularly in tourist movements. Fifth, it is essential to strengthen the cultural, religious, music, movie and sporting links for mutual benefit.

Deputy HC said that training is the strongest and most enduring pillar of bilateral Defence cooperation. 🇮🇳 offers around 1500 training slots to #lka Armed Forces every year.(2/2)
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) March 1, 2023

News

Prof. Nalin de Silva no more

Published

8 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

Philosopher, intellectual and academician Professor Nalin de Silva has passed away at the age of 79. Prof. de Silva initially served as a professor in the Department of Mathematics and later as the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Kelaniya.

He was also a former member of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In addition to his academic pursuits, de Silva also worked as a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar.

News

‘Company issuing visa at BIA not Indian or Indian based’

Published

12 hours ago

May 2, 2024

editor

The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a statement over reports of Indian companies taking over visa issuance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The statement notes “companies referred to in these reports are not India based or Indian and are headquartered elsewhere. Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted.”

News

Chaos at BIA raises questions (Video)

Published

14 hours ago

May 2, 2024

nipuni

Questions have been raised after chaos at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake last night (May 01) has sparked widespread outrage.

This is with regard to a controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at BIA by an Indian company – VFS Global since yesterday evening.

It is learnt that the company has levied an extra $25 alongside the standard $75 fee.

Long lines of frustrated travellers were also seen at the airport for several hours, which is a stark difference to the procedure smoothly managed in a matter of mere minutes by the Immigration and Emigration Department in the past.

Footage of a Sri Lankan citizen expressing outrage over Indian nationals deciding visa matters for fellow Sri Lankans, has also been making rounds on social media.

Although 10 Sri Lankan and Indian officers had commenced work from 5.00pm yesterday, the lines remained well over 9.00pm. Amid tensions, higher officials of the BIA and security forces had also arrived at the premises.

At 11.30pm the company officials temporarily suspended issuing visas and left the BIA with the money collected, reports say.

Upon the directive of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Ilukpitiya, Immigration officers have commenced their usual duties with no issues since then, enabling the previous process to continue smoothly.

Concerns have been raised over the lack of transparency in this arrangement.