A ‘partnership’ like no other!
Against the backdrop of the economic crisis that erupted in 2021/2022 Sri Lanka’s dependence on Indian economic and military support is growing. INS Udayagiri, Indian Navy’s indigenously built multi-role stealth frigate, that arrived at Colombo Port hours before Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived here, brought essential machinery/equipment spares for Sri Lanka Navy and Sri […]
Sri Lanka's economic crisis in 2021/2022 has led to an increasing dependence on Indian economic and military support. In September 2023, Indian Navy's stealth frigate INS Udayagiri arrived in Colombo Port, arriving hours before Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh did. The ship brought essential spare parts for the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force. INS Udayagiri departed just 24 hours after Singh's three-day visit.
India has been providing a plethora of support to Sri Lanka. In June 2023, India transferred military stores worth USD 5.5 million to the Sri Lanka Army for free. India intervened when Sri Lanka requested assistance to deploy a 1,000-member military contingent in Haiti to maintain order. The Sri Lanka Parliament passed the Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill in September 2023, over 1.5 years after the last Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva, retired.
The bill aimed to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act, No. 35 of 2009, which had been enacted in 2009 to coordinate activities among the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence. The National People's Power (NPP) government stated that abolishing the CDS post wouldn't affect national security, as the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration created the position after the 2009 war to accommodate then Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka.
Fonseka was appointed as the first CDS in July 2009, following his rejection of a non-military post as Secretary to the Sports Ministry.
The creation of the CDS post seems to have been a strategic move to ensure a smooth change of command after Fonseka's desire to have Maj. Gen. G.A. Chandrasiri as his successor wasn't fulfilled. Maj. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya became Fonseka's successor, while Chandrasiri was forced to retire. The NPP administration initially sought to abolish the CDS post, and the Bill was passed without opposition.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's historic three-day visit to Sri Lanka coincided with the Parliament passing the Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill, further solidifying the rapidly deepening partnership between the two countries in defence, economic aid, and regional connectivity as part of India's Neighbourhood First policy.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
