India has approved the transfer of military equipment worth USD 5.5 million to the Sri Lanka Army on a gratis basis, further strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.
According to the Indian High Commission, the equipment was sourced from the Indian Army’s operational reserves and transported to Sri Lanka aboard the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sharda following a request from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence.
The consignment was officially handed over at a ceremony in Colombo attended by Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha, and Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo.
Officials said the military supplies would help overcome shortages and enhance the operational readiness of the Sri Lanka Army.
The Indian High Commission highlighted that, over the past two years, India has approved projects worth around LKR 5 billion to support Sri Lanka’s defence infrastructure upgrades, training programmes and equipment requirements.
India also recalled its humanitarian assistance following Cyclone Ditwah, including the deployment of an 80-member field hospital team that provided medical treatment to nearly 7,000 people and an engineering task force that built seven bridges while assisting the Road Development Authority.
Training remains a key pillar of India-Sri Lanka defence relations, with approximately 1,200 Sri Lankan military personnel receiving training annually at Indian defence institutions.
Indian officials said the latest support reflects India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision, aimed at promoting regional security, cooperation and shared development.
