The Sri Lanka Embassy in Brazil arranged a visit of a special defence delegation to Brazil to improve relations between the Defence Ministries and Armed Forces of both countries. The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa RWP RSP psc headed the delegation. The Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lieutenant General RMD Ratnayake WWV RWP RSP USP ndupsc, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Brazil HE Raja A Edirisuriya and Deputy Head of Mission Major General GDHK Gunaratne WWV RWP RSP USP ndcpsc also took part in discussions held as members of the delegation.
The Sri Lanka Delegation arrived in Rio De Janeiro on 10th January 2014 and was received by Ambassador Raja A Edirisuriya and Mrs. Kamini Edirisuriya, Deputy Head of Mission Major General GDHK Gunaratne WWV RWP RSP USP ndcpsc and Honourary Consul General of Sri Lanka in Rio De Janeiro Dr. Sohaku Raimundo Cesar Bastos. The official visit to Rio commenced with a visit to the Escola De Guerra Superior War School (Brazilian War College). The Delegation was received with Military Honours by the Acting Commandant of the War College and Members of the Staff and a comprehensive briefing was provided on the activities and courses conducted by the institution. After visiting the War College, a visit to the East Military Command was undertaken, where the Delegation was received with military honours. A presentation was conducted by the Command Headquarters explaining initiatives for peace making in Favelas, where the Brazilian Military is responsible for operations and employment of police in order to eradicate drugs, violence and criminal gangs. An institutional lecture was conducted by a representative from the Brazilian Ministry of Defence to educate the delegation on defence industries including the manufacturing of defence material in Brazil.
On the following day the Delegation visited the Navy Yard at Rio De Janeiro, and was received by the Director of the Management Company of Naval Projects “EMGEPRON”, which was followed by an institutional lecture by EMGEPRON on its role. After the presentation the Delegation was taken to “Naval Arsenal” where the delegation was received with naval honours by its Director. The Naval Arsenal is one of the biggest ship yards in Brazil which attends to the repairs of large naval ships of the Brazilian Navy, including its aircraft carriers. The delegation was briefed on the functions of the Naval Arsenal and was able to see the functions of the ship yard, including submarine building. The delegation then proceeded to Brasilia for the next segment of the programme.
On 15th January 2014 the Delegation visited the Ministry of Defence in Brasilia. The Secretary of Defence was received by Hon. Celso Amorim the Minister of Defence of Brazil with a very colourful Tri Services Guard of Honour by the Brazilian Armed Forces. The Delegation was introduced to the Commander of the Brazilian Navy Fleet Admiral Julio Soares de Souza Neto, Commander of the Brazilian Army General Enzo Martins Peri and Commander of the Brazilian Air Force Air Lieutenant Brigadier Juniti Saito by the Defence Minister.
The bilateral talks with the Defence Minister and Service Commanders were very cordial and successful. A range of issues on possible future areas of cooperation were discussed. A Memorandum of Understanding on the content of the discussions was reached between the two sides.
After visiting the Ministry of Defence the delegation visited the Air Force Headquarters and Army Headquarters. At the Air Force Headquarters the delegation was received by the Commander of the Air Force Air Lieutenant Brigadier Juniti Saito with military honours, and briefed about the functions of the Air Force. The last event for the day was the visit to Army Headquarters where the Delegation was received by the Commander of the Army General Enzo Martins Peri with military honours. After a very cordial discussion with the Brazilian Army Commander, the Delegation was led to the Army Cyber Centre, by the Commander. A comprehensive presentation explaining the functions of the Army Cyber Centre including threats and challenges was done for the benefit of the visiting delegation.
On 16th January the Delegation visited the Sri Lanka Embassy in Brasilia and welcomed by the Ambassador and Staff. The delegation then proceeded to the Ministry of External Relations where they met the Deputy Minister of External Relations Ambassador Eduardo dos Santos.
During the discussion with the Deputy Minister of External Relations, the Secretary Defence explained in detail the agony the nation had to suffer for a period of 30 years due to terrorism. The Secretary outlined the sacrifices made by all Sri Lankans and the Government to eradicate terrorism in order to ensure peace in the country. Highlighting the developments spearheaded by the Government in former conflict areas on reconstruction, resettlement, rehabilitation, reintegration and reconciliation since the end of the conflict, the Secretary made particular reference to the successful programme undertaken to rehabilitate and reintegrate ex-combatants in to society.
The visit of the Sri Lankan delegation to Brazil could be considered as a significant step forward in establishing bilateral defence cooperation which would benefit both countries in the future.
Sri Lanka Embassy in Brazil
21 February 2014
