CAS lays foundation stone for friendship auditorium in Sri Lanka

New Delhi: Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari laid the foundation stone for the India – Sri Lanka Friendship Auditorium at the Sri Lankan AF Academy in Trincomalee on May 5, 2023.

IAF said in a tweet that the CAS also gifted a set of books for the trainees at the Academy.

Earlier, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari has held meetings with theSri Lanka's top government and military officials to further strengthen the military cooperation between the two nations. CAS is on a four-day visit to the neighbouring island nation.

IAF Chief called on Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. During the meeting, both sides held deliberations over several key issues. He said the two Air Forces will also be conducting a joint exercise on disaster management in the last quarter of this year in Sri Lankan waters. 

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister, during the talks, expressed gratitude to the Indian Air Force for their immediate response and action to the call for supporting Sri Lanka during recent maritime disasters in their waters. 

On the occasion of the meeting, PM Gunawardena also 'thanked India for the continuous support given to Sri Lanka at this time of crisis'.

He also met Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gen (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, CDS Gen Shavendra Silva, and Cdr of the SL Army Lt Gen Vikum Liyanage. 

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