Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh inaugurated the Indo-Sri Lanka Friendship Reading Section at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) in Diyatalawa on Friday, marking a significant step in India-Sri Lanka defence cooperation. The new reading section is designed to provide expanded academic resources to Sri Lankan military cadets, supporting their intellectual development alongside rigorous military training.
The inauguration ceremony reflected the close camaraderie between the two nations, with senior military officers from both India and Sri Lanka present. Shri Singh participated in a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and signed the visitor’s book, with the Indian and Sri Lankan flags displayed prominently. A group photograph was taken on the steps of the academy, symbolizing the enduring partnership.
Established in 1949, the Sri Lanka Military Academy is the country’s oldest military training institution. It offers a comprehensive 2-year-9-month Cadet Entry Degree Program combining leadership training, military tactics, law, and academic studies. Since 2011, the academy has been affiliated with General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, awarding bachelor’s degrees to graduating cadets. SLMA trains over 300 cadets at a time, preparing them for mandatory service in the Sri Lanka Army.
This initiative highlights India’s continued support for Sri Lanka’s military education and capacity-building efforts. The two countries share a strong defence partnership, conducting joint exercises such as Mitra Shakti, SLINEX, and the trilateral coastguard exercise Dosti with the Maldives. More than 60 percent of Sri Lankan military personnel undergo command courses in India, reflecting deep trust in Indian training capabilities.
Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, who assumed office as Defence Secretary in November 2024, emphasized the importance of intellectual growth in military training during his address. He noted that the new reading section would equip cadets to become strategic thinkers and effective officers, strengthening the foundation of future leadership.
The inauguration also signifies India’s strategic interest in deepening defence ties with Sri Lanka amid regional geopolitical shifts and growing influence from other powers like China. Despite past challenges, including the Indian Peace Keeping Force operation in the late 1980s, both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration, even without a formal defence pact.
The establishment of the Indo-Sri Lanka Friendship Reading Section at SLMA is a milestone in blending military cooperation with academic enrichment. The event has been welcomed as a positive development that promises to enhance bilateral relations and foster closer defence partnership in the years ahead.
