From June 11 to 14, 2025, Sri Lankan Army Commander Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo will travel to India for a major four-day official visit with the goal of strengthening the strong defense alliance between India and Sri Lanka. The visit demonstrates a mutual commitment to bolstering military cooperation between the two countries, especially in the areas of capability augmentation, training, and capacity building.
In order to honor Indian soldiers who gave their lives, Lieutenant General Rodrigo lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi to start the tour. Senior Indian Army officials held a formal Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns after this solemn ceremony, signifying the two countries’ ongoing friendship and respect for one another.
The first day was filled with high-level talks, starting with a detailed conversation with Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, the Indian Army’s Vice Chief of the Army Staff. Concerns about regional security and bilateral defense cooperation were among the many subjects covered in the talks. Senior Indian Army officers also briefed Lieutenant General Rodrigo on Operation Sindoor and India’s wider security viewpoints, demonstrating the open sharing of strategic knowledge and interests.
Lieutenant General Rodrigo also had meetings with Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who is the Chief of Air Staff. These gatherings provide a forum for discussing more general defense and security matters, with an emphasis on improving tri-service cooperation and tackling common maritime security difficulties.
Lieutenant General Rodrigo added a symbolic touch to the visit by planting a tree at the Manekshaw Centre, symbolizing the long-standing alliance between the Indian and Sri Lankan Armies. To further expand the scope of military cooperation, he is expected to visit Jaipur on June 12 to meet with Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command.
On June 14, Lieutenant General Rodrigo will be the Reviewing Officer during the Passing Out Parade at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, his alma institution, where he was commissioned in December 1990. This will be a very moving highlight of the visit. This occasion not only represents a significant personal achievement but also reaffirms the two armies’ ongoing leadership and unity. Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake of the Sri Lanka Army will be present to witness his son’s commissioning, which will give the ceremony a more intimate and poignant touch.
The positive interactions and reaffirmation of both countries’ commitment to fortifying military ties, investigating new opportunities for cooperation, and preserving peace and security in the region are hallmarks of Lieutenant General Rodrigo’s visit.
