High Commission of India
Colombo

PRESS RELEASE

Indian Army provides military stores worth USD 5.5 Million to Sri Lanka Army 

      Based on the request of Ministry of Defence, Government of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Defence, Government of India has approved military stores worth USD 5.5 million to Sri Lanka Army on gratis basis from Indian Army’s operational stocks. The Sri Lanka Army faced shortage of these military stores, thereby affecting its operational preparedness. The Government of India agreed to meet this urgent requirement within a month and it also agreed to transship these stores onboard Indian Naval Ship Sharda, which was specially detailed to transport these stores to Colombo on gratis basis. The handing over ceremony was attended by H.E. Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India, Colombo, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Secretary Defence, Government of Sri Lanka and Lt Gen Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army.

2. In the past two years, the Ministry of Defence, India has approved projects worth LKR 5billion for Sri Lanka to upgrade infrastructure as well as supply military & training aids for Sri Lankan Armed Forces. Besides this, during Cyclone Ditwah, the Indian Army deployed a 80 member field hospital which treated close to 7000 personnel over a period of two weeks in Sri Lanka. Also, a 48 personnel Engineer task forces from Indian Army was deployed for more than six months in Sri Lanka, during which they constructed seven bridges, carried out recce of all destroyed bridges and provided engineer advice to Road Development Authority, Sri Lanka. 
   
   
3. Further, training forms one of the strongest pillar of defence cooperation between both the countries. Every year close to 1200 Sri Lankan Armed forces personnel are trained in Indian Armed Forces institutes. This besides multiple instructor exchanges, tailor made courses and Mobile training teams which get deployed every year. 
   
   
4. The recent engagements between the Indian Army and Sri Lankan Army have cemented the deep rooted bonds of friendship and seamless interoperability. Provision of these military stores is symbolic of close defence cooperation and togetherness shared amongst the two countries in line with India’s policy of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and Hon’ble PM’s vision of ‘Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for all in the Region (MAHASAGAR)’.

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Colombo
16 June 2026