Post-war relations: UK seeks closer ties with SL military
December 19, 2015, 9:04 am by Shamindra Ferdinando
Close on the heels of British Prime Minister David Cameron’s assurance to President Maithripala Sirisena that UK would provide expertise and financial backing for military reforms here, a senior British officer visited Colombo.
PM Cameron gave that assurance on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta late last month.
British Naval and Air Adviser in India Captain Stuart Borland met Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne at navy headquarters on Dec. 15. A senior SLN official told The Island that the talks were aimed at enhancing the relations with the focus on training opportunities in the UK. "They discussed matters of mutual interest and bilateral importance."
A British High Commission spokes person told The Island that the UK’s non-resident Defence Advisor designated to Sri Lanka had been in Colombo for a series of introductory meetings.
UK withdrew its Colombo-based defence adviser in 2009. Another British HC official said that the move was made following a review of distribution of defence advisers.
During the war Sri Lanka couldn’t secure armaments of British origin due to a ban on weapons exports prompted by Indian objections and vociferous protests by UK based Sri Lankans, defence sources told The Island. Sources said with the conclusion of the war the UK was in a position to renew military ties. Responding to a question, sources said that over the years, Sri Lanka had completely ceased the use of British weapons.
Some UK based Diaspora activists have sought a clarification from the British government through a Labour Party MP as regards the new relationship between the UK and Sri Lanka.
December 19, 2015, 9:04 am by Shamindra Ferdinando
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| Vice Admiral Wijegunaratne and Captain Borland exchange mementos. |
PM Cameron gave that assurance on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta late last month.
British Naval and Air Adviser in India Captain Stuart Borland met Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne at navy headquarters on Dec. 15. A senior SLN official told The Island that the talks were aimed at enhancing the relations with the focus on training opportunities in the UK. "They discussed matters of mutual interest and bilateral importance."
A British High Commission spokes person told The Island that the UK’s non-resident Defence Advisor designated to Sri Lanka had been in Colombo for a series of introductory meetings.
UK withdrew its Colombo-based defence adviser in 2009. Another British HC official said that the move was made following a review of distribution of defence advisers.
During the war Sri Lanka couldn’t secure armaments of British origin due to a ban on weapons exports prompted by Indian objections and vociferous protests by UK based Sri Lankans, defence sources told The Island. Sources said with the conclusion of the war the UK was in a position to renew military ties. Responding to a question, sources said that over the years, Sri Lanka had completely ceased the use of British weapons.
Some UK based Diaspora activists have sought a clarification from the British government through a Labour Party MP as regards the new relationship between the UK and Sri Lanka.
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