Commander of the Sri Lankan Army Lt Gen. BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo Arrives in India

Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo arrived on an official visit to India from 11-14 June 2025. This visit is set to enhance bilateral military cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration, particularly in the areas of training and capability enhancement. It underscores the continued efforts of both nations to further strengthen and deepen their longstanding defence partnership.

The first day of the visit began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. Following this, Lt Gen. Rodrigo was given a formal Guard of Honour on the South Block Lawns. The ceremonial event, attended by senior officials of the Indian Army, marked a significant gesture of respect and a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations.

The Guard of Honour was followed with a series of high-level meetings beginning with an in-depth interaction with vice chief of the army staff of the Indian Army, Lt Gen. NS Raja Subramani. Both the military leaders discussed wide ranging issues including aspects of bilateral defence cooperation and regional security concerns. Later, Lt Gen. Rodrigo was briefed on Op Sindoor and India’s security perspective. He was also briefed by other senior officers of the Indian Army on matters of mutual interest.

Lt Gen. Rodrigo thereafter met with Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and defence secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh. These meetings provided an opportunity for the exchange of views on broader defence and security issues, focusing on matters of mutual interests.

Lt Gen. Rodrigo also planted a tree at the Manekshaw Centre, symbolising time-tested relation of Indian and Sri Lanka Army. On June 12, Lt Gen. Rodrigo visited Jaipur and met GOC-in-C, South Western Command, Lt Gen. Manjinder Singh.

The General Officer will later grace the Passing Out Parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, as the Reviewing Officer on June 14. This visit will mark a poignant return to his alma mater, where he was commissioned in December 1990, with the 87th Course of the IMA. His presence at the Academy will rekindle memories of his formative years, now brought full circle as he would review a new generation of officers. Adding a personal and emotional dimension to the ceremony, Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake of Sri Lanka Army, will also be in attendance to witness his son, Foreign Officer Cadet RMNL Rathnayake, being commissioned with the current course. This confluence of legacy and leadership underscores the enduring spirit of camaraderie and leadership connect between the two armies.

Lt Gen. Rodrigo’s visit to India is marked by a series of productive engagements, aimed at furthering the defence relationship between Sri Lanka and India. The visit not only highlights the commitment of both nations to strengthening their military ties but also underscores their shared focus on regional security and peace.