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28th May 2021 21:03:46 Hours

SECY DEFENCE & ARMY CHIEF GRACE INAUGURATION OF SRI LANKA 'S EDITION OF ‘AERO-INDIA ', COASTAL GUARD CONCLAVE

A parallel live-streamed edition of the ongoing ‘Aero-India ', a biennial Aerospace & Defence Exhibition in Bangalore (Feb 03-05) which would also include Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Defence Ministers ' Conclave, Air Conclave, IOR- Naval Seminar and IOR- Coast Guard Seminar got underway in Colombo this morning (5) at Taj Samudra Hotel, organized by the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka 's inauguration of the virtual Indian Ocean Region Coast Guard Seminar as part of the ongoing 13th edition of 'Aero-India ' provides an ideal platform for the Sri Lanka Defence Forces to get first hand exposure to the state-of-the art defence equipment inventory in the world on display while initiating relevant discussions during the inauguration of the Conclaves and was graced by General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary Defence as the Chief Guest, together with General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army at the invitation of HE Gopal Baglay, High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka.

The video-streaming sessions, themed 'runway to a billion opportunities ' also provided an opportunity to the Sri Lankan Defence personnel and domestic industry to interact with Indian defence industry representatives and acquire first-hand information on India 's fast growing defence industry and its new innovations. The inaugural welcome note was delivered by the High Commissioner of India before Bangalore sessions for the day kicked off. The event also aims to showcase the growing India- Sri Lanka friendship and goodwill which would further strengthen the vision of Security and Growth for all neighbours in the Region (SAGAR).

Defence Secretary General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne in his address to the occasion pointed out that Sri Lanka 's geographical significance in the IOR stands outstanding in all affairs owing to the availability of a number of important Sea Lanes of Communication including Sea Lanes of Trade running just South of Sri Lanka. "Sri Lanka owns the responsibility in providing Search and Rescue (SAR) missions in an area of 27 times the size of its landmass and 200 nautical miles in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).” He also stressed that the present maritime environment demands a huge contribution by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Department (SLCG), in terms of policing the area of responsibility. The virtual Coast Guard conclave in Colombo was held under the theme of ‘Collaborative Approach for Safe, Secure and Clean Sea in Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Expressing gratitude for their presence, HE Gopal Baglay presented mementoes to General (Retd) Kamal Gunarathna, Secretary Defence and General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army before they closely watched a few replicas of defence equipment on display at the location.

Indian High Commission envoys, Defence Advisers and a gathering of high-level state officials, defence equipment industrialists, Senior Tri service Officers and invitees graced the sessions in keeping with required health guidelines.