Badulla: The opening ceremony for the sixth edition of Mitra Shakti VI, a 14-day joint training exercise by the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army, was held on Wednesday at the Diyatalawa Parade Ground here.
The exercise, which is being conducted from March 26 to April 8, primarily focuses on training and equipping both the country’s contingents to undertake joint counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in urban and rural environment under the United Nations flag.
“The exercise provides an ideal platform for both contingents to share their operational experience and expertise while being instrumental in broadening interoperability and cooperation between the armies of India and Sri Lanka,” an official statement outlined.
The Indian Army contingent comprises of a company group from the Bihar regiment, while the Sri Lankan Army’s First Gemunu Watch Battalion will be taking part in the exercise.
Brigadier HPNK Jayapathirana, the General Officer Commanding 21 Division of Sri Lankan Army, was the chief guest for Wednesday’s opening ceremony.
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]