Sri Lanka and India have exchanged three defence-cooperation agreements during Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's official visit to Sri Lanka, converting three arrangements reported earlier as planned into completed exchanges.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met Singh at the Presidential Secretariat on 9 September.
According to the Presidential Secretariat, discussions covered defence, economic, maritime and regional cooperation as well as the broader bilateral relationship.
Three agreements exchanged
The three agreements cover upgrading L70 guns already held by the Sri Lanka Air Force, academic cooperation between India's National Defence College and Sri Lanka's National Defence College, and bilateral cooperation between the Sri Lanka Cadet Corps and Indian Cadet Corps.
The agreements were exchanged by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha.
This is a material development from the previous Sineth News update, which reported that the three arrangements were expected to be exchanged during Singh's visit.
L70 arrangement concerns existing equipment
The L70 agreement concerns the upgrading of existing Sri Lankan Air Force equipment.
It should not be read as a newly announced purchase or supply of new Indian air-defence weapons.
Three Bailey bridges opened
President Dissanayake and Minister Singh also remotely opened three Bailey bridges installed with Indian grant assistance.
The bridges are on the Pansiyagama-Kurunegala, Kabellawa-Kurunegala and Palugamam-Batticaloa roads.
The Presidential Secretariat said they were provided under rehabilitation assistance intended to restore essential road connectivity following Cyclone Ditwah.
Wider discussions
The two sides also discussed strengthening defence, maritime, economic and regional cooperation.
The Presidential Secretariat said President Dissanayake sought India's fullest support in combating drug trafficking in the Indian Ocean region.
Visit chronology
Singh arrived in Sri Lanka on 8 September for an official visit scheduled through 10 September. Earlier coverage noted the planned defence arrangements and Colombo traffic restrictions linked to the visit.