Lanka and China Navies to strengthen mutual relationship

The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera made an official visit to China recently at the invitation of the Commander in Chief of the People's Liberation Army Navy of the People's Republic of China, Admiral Wu Shengli,  Department of Government Information said. During the four day visit, the Commander of the Navy met the Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan and exchanged views on defence related matters of mutual interest giving emphasis to training between the two navies. They also discussed the acquisition of a large naval ship to the Sri Lanka Navy from China. Expressing gratitude to China's continuous military assistance, the Commander of the Navy stated that the Sri Lanka Navy looks forward to strengthening of mutual relationship with the Chinese Navy, the Navy Media said. Pledging to strengthen the military co-operation, Minister Chang said that China is ready to maintain the strategic cooperative partnership and the smooth development of military-to-military ties in various fields. He also commended on the efforts made by the Sri Lanka Navy to maintain regional maritime stability.