The Sri Lankan Army Commander, Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, is on a four-day official visit to India from 11th to 14th June 2025, with a clear agenda of reinforcing bilateral military cooperation and identifying new avenues for strategic collaboration, particularly in the areas of joint training programs, capability development, and regional security frameworks. Lt. Gen. BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo is set to use this visit to deepen defense ties between the two nations, engaging in high-level meetings and bilateral talks with the Indian military’s top brass.
The diplomatic visit of Lt. Gen. BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo will also reaffirm the mutual commitment of India and Sri Lanka to strengthening their long-standing defense and security partnership, which plays a crucial role in ensuring peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It comes at a time when both countries are navigating evolving strategic challenges, requiring enhanced military coordination and regional synergy.
Lt. Gen. BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo at The National War Memorial
The official itinerary commenced with Lieutenant General Rodrigo laying a wreath at the National War Memorial, New Delhi. It was an act of solemn remembrance and tribute to Indian Armed Forces personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in service to the nation. This ceremonial gesture not only reflected military decorum but also underscored the shared values of honor, courage, and duty that bind the armed forces of both nations.
Lt. Gen. BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo Presented With The Guard of Honor
After paying tribute at the National War Memorial, Lt. Gen. Rodrigo was also accorded a Guard of Honor at the iconic South Block Lawns, a ceremonial event attended by the top brass of the Indian Army.
The formal reception exemplified the respect and camaraderie extended to the visiting Commander and reaffirmed the depth of military diplomacy between the two countries.
After the ceremony, the Sri Lankan Army Chief engaged in a series of high-level defense meetings. The key highlight of these meetings was an in-depth dialogue with Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS), Indian Army. The discussions encompassed a range of issues, including bilateral military exercises, maritime security, and counterinsurgency cooperation.
Lt. Gen. BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo also received a comprehensive briefing on Operation Sindoor and the broader Indian security architecture, delivered by senior officers from the Indian Army. These engagements allowed both sides to share operational experiences and explore doctrinal interoperability.
Sri Lankan Army Chief Meets Indian Tri-Service Leadership
Lieutenant General Rodrigo also held separate meetings with Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Air Staff. Discussions with India’s tri-service chiefs centered around strategic maritime security cooperation, air defense collaboration, and joint training modules.
Additionally, a meeting with Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary of India, enabled an exchange of views on broader defense policy convergence and regional peace initiatives.
The Sri Lankan Army Commander also planted a commemorative tree at the Manekshaw Centre, symbolizing the time-tested bonds and enduring friendship between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army, as a gesture that reflected a shared military heritage.
Scheduled Visit To South Western Command and Alma Mater
On 12th June 2025, Lt. Gen. Rodrigo is scheduled to visit Jaipur, where he will meet Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command. This visit is expected to focus on operational readiness and exploring avenues for joint field exercises in the desert warfare domain.
Culminating the visit, Lieutenant General Rodrigo will preside as the Reviewing Officer at the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, on 14th June 2025. It holds deep personal significance for the Lieutenant General, as he himself was commissioned into the Sri Lanka Army in December 1990 through the 87th IMA Course. His return as Reviewing Officer marks a symbolic full-circle moment in a distinguished career that has contributed significantly to Sri Lanka’s military development.
Adding an emotional dimension to the ceremony, Brigadier RMSP Rathnayake of the Sri Lanka Army will witness the commissioning of his son, Foreign Officer Cadet RMNL Rathnayake, with the current batch. This multi-generational presence highlights the legacy of military tradition and the strong people-to-people connection between the Indian and Sri Lankan armed forces.
Reinforcing Strategic Partnership in the Indo-Pacific
The visit of Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo stands as a milestone in the evolution of the India-Sri Lanka defense partnership. It demonstrates a shared commitment to fostering interoperability, strategic alignment, and regional peacekeeping efforts within the framework of the Indo-Pacific security architecture.
As both militaries continue to strengthen their joint training platforms and counter-terrorism strategies, such high-level visits enable critical dialogue, operational learning, and confidence-building that are vital components for sustained peace and military effectiveness in the region.
