Feb 03, Colombo: Russia has offered more training facilities for Sri Lankan military and pledged to increase assistance to improve air operation capabilities of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), the Ministry of Defense said.

The Russian Federation’s Commander-in-Chief of the Land Forces, General Oleg Salyukov, who is on a five–day official visit, promised the assistance when he met Defense Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne at the Ministry, Monday (03).

During the meeting General Salyukov said 72 cadets were trained last year and Russia was looking for avenues to increase the number of trainees this year. He said the Russian government would also look forward to increase air operation capabilities of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

General Salyukov also expressed Russia’s willingness on counter terrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing between two nations. Major General Gunaratne said Sri Lanka was grateful to the Russian government for being supportive to defeat terrorism and to withstand post-war pressure posed in various international forums to tarnish the image of the Sri Lankan government.

General Salyukov commended about the counter terrorism capabilities of the Sri Lankan military and agreed to share counter terrorism expertise of both countries in future.

Referring to the meetings held with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov who arrived in Sri Lanka last month, General Salyukov said, all the discussions were productive and on track.

General Salyukov, who is on a five-day visit, arrived in Sri Lanka Monday on an invitation of the acting Chief of Defense Staff and the Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva.

He thanked the government for inviting him to witness the 72nd Independence Parade as a Special Guest at the Independence Square tomorrow (4).