Sri Lanka, Uganda, to boost military cooperation

Wednesday, 24 July 2013 00:48 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka and Uganda have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations, especially in the areas of defense and military, and share military operations. The two countries agreed to share military operations when the visiting Sri Lanka’s Defense and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa held discussions with the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at State House in Entebbe on Monday. The Ugandan President and his visitor discussed bilateral relations including co-operation in the areas of military and defence, the Ugandan news agency New Vision reported.

The two countries have further discussed sharing experience on disaster management and offering specialized training to the 45,000-strong Ugandan military, Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). The newly appointed Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Uganda Vellupillai Kananathan also participated in the meeting. Others at the meeting included Uganda’s state minister for defence Jeje Odong and Lt Gen. Charles Angina while Air Vice Marshal K.A Gunathilaka and Major General Shavendra Silva accompanied the Defense Secretary. Rajapaksa arrived in Uganda on Friday (July 20) on a five-day official visit. He will also meet a technical team from the Ugandan Ministry of Defense, Kananathan has said. The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) is the country’s armed forces with a total strength of 40,000-45,000, and consists of land forces and an Air Wing. The Defense Secretary is also expected to visit Murchison Falls National Park and Lugazi Sugar Corporation to promote cooperation in sugar production.