Tuesday, 28th October 2014
NEW DELHI (Oct 27): Amid reports of increase in its military ties with China, Sri Lanka today sought to allay India’s concerns, insisting that it will do nothing to compromise the security of this country.
Sri Lanka Navy chief Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera, who is on a five-day visit here, maintained that there is no military presence of China in his country.
"We have very good co-operation with India. We will never compromise on national security of India. India’s security is our security," the PTI quoted Vice Admiral Perera as having told the media.
"We will not compromise the security of another country and especially India, he said calling himself a "personal friend of India".
Asked about reports that its military ties with China are increasing, he denied it, saying "Their (Chinese) interest is very commercial.... Not only Chinese, even the Russians and other countries also, we have very good relationship. We are a non-aligned country."
His comments came against the backdrop of reports in Lankan media that Changzheng 2, a nuclear-powered submarine, had docked at the Colombo International Container Terminal Ltd on September 15 to become the first such vessel to visit Sri Lanka. Prior to it, two Chinese naval vessels had docked in Colombo from September 7 to 13.
When his attention was drawn to Changzheng 2, the Lankan Navy Chief said, "It is (was) a conventional submarine and not a nuclear submarine." He insisted that there is no Chinese military presence in his country.
Talking about India, Perera said Sri Lanka thanks it "as it wholeheartedly supported in eradication of terrorism" from his country.
Indian Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan stressed on the "very strong" ties with Lanka and said bilateral naval cooperation goes beyond the normal training.
He said India trains a large number of Lankan personnel, both officers and sailors and is in the process of buidling two off-shore patrol vessels for Lanka.
From : http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=112974
