SL-India joint military exercise starts on Dec 1, in Pune

Mitra Shakthi - VII, a joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Sri Lanka Army will commence on December 1 at the Kumaon Regiment camp premises in Pune, India, the Army said.  

The exercise is an annual training programme that has been conducted between both organisations since the year 2012.A contingent of 11 officers and 109 other rankers from the Gemunu Watch (GW) of the Sri Lanka Army would participate in this exercise and they are scheduled to leave for India on Friday (29).  This event was held thrice each in India and Sri Lanka with the  objective of promoting bilateral military understanding and bonds of  goodwill.

The two-week long military exercise to be held for the seventh time is designed to enhance the capacity among participants and promote interoperability, military cooperation,etc and explore possibilities of gaining adequate knowledge for any potential security threats in future.  

The joint annual exercise also aims to share knowledge on military tactics, experience, exchange of infantry technicalities, counter terrorism practices, long range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP) techniques, small group operations, effective employment of snipers, simulated attacks on terrorist hideouts, suicide bombing, use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), etc between both Armies.  

Under the guidelines given by Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, the Army Directorate of Infantry, headed by Major General Manoj Mudannayake, Director General Infantry, together with Brigadier Deshapriya Gunawardane, Director Infantry had finalised all arrangements in this regard, the army said.  
Colonel Bhatiya Madanayake is the Senior Exercise Coordinator and Observer while Major Ruwan Edirisinghe will be the Exercise Evaluator in ‘Mitra Shakthi - VII’.