“There are no major issues at all, but we are aware of extremist elements overseas still trying to destabilise Sri Lanka”
Agencies/Colombo
India provides 80% of the training requirements to Sri Lankan troops as part of close co-operation between the two nations, Army Commander Lt Gen Daya Ratnayake said.
“We are working closely with the Indian Army,” he stressed. “India is very supportive and extends the most assistance in terms of fulfilling the need for advanced foreign training to our officers and men.”
As part of regional co-operation, Pakistan too extends training facilities to the Sri Lanka army, Ratnayake said in an interview with The Sunday Island.
Asked about military co-operation with the US, Ratnayake replied: “USA is amongst the countries engaging with us. Our officers are invited to attend seminars, workshops and discussions there. They have a superb system and we are regular participants in their events.”
In fact, the Sri Lanka Army is a regular invitee around the world not only on military related issues, but also on academic matters, the army chief noted. “Even civilian business organisations consult us.”
The decimation of the LTTE militarily made a global impact and there exists eagerness to share the experience of the Sri Lanka Army, he said.
Referring to the North and the East, Ratnayake said the military has drastically reduced troop deployment to the region. Government and private lands taken over by the army earlier have now been returned to their owners and the civil administration is wholly functional.
“The security situation in these two provinces is much more stabilised than in other parts of the country,” the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment veteran asserted.
“There are no major issues at all, but we are aware of extremist elements overseas still trying to destabilise Sri Lanka even five years after the LTTE leadership was wiped out,” he said.
The army has reduced its presence in the North and the East, but there is an effective intelligence apparatus in place to “nip in the bud if something comes up,” the commander said.
“Sri Lanka is now one of the most stable countries in Asia. In any part of the world, there may not be serious security issues, but law and order problems can exist,” he said.
