Russia keen to develop military ties with SL

Russia said it was interested in developing military cooperation with Sri Lanka and to cooperate in the fight against international terrorism in the region and other security challenges.

Chief of the Russian General Staff General of the Army, Valery Gerasimov made this comment during a discussion with visiting Chief of Defence Staff Ravindra Wijegunaratne in Moscow.

He said Sri Lanka was Russia's reliable partner in South Asia.

“We have very good relations established for more than 60 years,” Mr. Gerasimov said.

He said priority must be given to the implementation of agreements reached in June at Dushanbe by the leaders of the two countries -- Vladimir Putin and Maithripala Sirisena.

The Russian Defence Ministry said it was also satisfied with the results of the meeting between the Deputy Defence Ministers of the two countries in April at the Moscow Conference on International Security.

Mr. Gerasimov thanked his colleague for his decision to take part in the ARMY International Military and Technical Forum.

He said he was confident that the meeting will strengthen the friendly relations between the armed forces of the two countries.

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