High-level Chinese military delegation visits Sri Lanka

A high-level Chinese military delegation has arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit, the Sri Lankan Army announced.

The seven-member delegation led by General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), has called on the Sri Lankan Army Commander, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya on Tuesday (13) morning at the Army Headquarters.

Sri Lanka Armoured Corps troops of the Sri Lanka Army has accorded a Guard of Honour to welcome the Chinese General who later held discussions with the Army Commander on a wide range of matters including Sri Lanka’s humanitarian operations in the North.

“The visiting Chinese military leader, keen on receiving clarifications and some specific details on the conduct of humanitarian operations in the recent past, made a couple of relevant inquiries with a view to grasping issues in broader perspective,” the Army said on its website.

According to the Sri Lankan Army, the PLA continues to offer training to Sri Lankan military personnel on various training modules.

Currently, 32 Sri Lankan military officers, including two Major Generals are undergoing training at several Chinese military establishments in the PLA, the Army said.

During his four-day visit, General Ma Xiaotian is expected to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Secretary of Defence and Urban Development Minsitry Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Navy, Commander of the Air Force, and Ambassador to China.

He is also to visit several places of tourist interest in the country.

(Colombo Page)