Sri Lanka Army Chief Briefed on ‘Operation Sindoor’ During India Visit to Boost Military Ties

by R. Suryamurthy June 11, 2025

By R. Suryamurthy June 11, 2025 0 comments 3 minutes read

PHOTO: PIB

Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, began a four-day official visit to India on June 11, 2025, with a sharp focus on strengthening bilateral defense cooperation and deepening strategic understanding through key briefings, including India’s counter-terrorism operation, Operation Sindoor.

The visit, which runs through June 14, highlights the evolving security dynamics of the region and underscores India’s willingness to share operational expertise with trusted partners. Among the key moments on Day One of the visit was a detailed briefing provided to the Sri Lankan Army Chief on Operation Sindoor, a recent major internal security and counter-insurgency initiative led by the Indian Army. The presentation offered insights into India’s tactical, technological, and intelligence-led response to modern threats—an area of keen interest for regional partners like Sri Lanka.

Lieutenant General Rodrigo also held wide-ranging discussions with Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, covering bilateral defense cooperation, operational doctrines, and shared security concerns in the Indian Ocean Region. The interaction around Operation Sindoor served as a platform to exchange lessons on hybrid warfare, rapid deployment, and multi-domain operations.

Earlier in the day, the Sri Lankan Army Chief paid tribute to India’s fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. He was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honor at the South Block Lawns, where senior officers of the Indian Army were present.

Further broadening the scope of the visit, Lieutenant General Rodrigo met with Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff; Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Air Staff; and Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The meetings facilitated dialogue on joint training, maritime cooperation, and evolving regional threats.

In a symbolic gesture of solidarity and friendship, the Sri Lankan Army Chief planted a sapling at the Manekshaw Centre—signifying the deep-rooted and growing defense partnership between the two militaries.

On June 12, Lieutenant General Rodrigo will travel to Jaipur for discussions with Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, GOC-in-C, South Western Command. The visit culminates on June 14 at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, where he will serve as the Reviewing Officer for the Passing Out Parade—an emotionally significant moment, as Rodrigo himself graduated from the IMA in December 1990 as part of the 87th Course.

Adding a personal dimension, Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake of the Sri Lanka Army will witness his son, Foreign Officer Cadet RMNL Rathnayake, being commissioned in the same ceremony—symbolizing the generational continuity and enduring bonds between the two armies.

Lieutenant General Rodrigo’s India visit, anchored by his engagement with Operation Sindoor and high-level defense interactions, reflects the growing strategic convergence between India and Sri Lanka, aimed at enhancing military preparedness, joint capabilities, and regional peace.