SL-Japan defence ties strengthened through high-level talks & naval visit

2026-03-20 - 11:04

A Sri Lankan defence delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), concluded an official visit to Japan on March 18, aimed at further strengthening bilateral security cooperation. The visit focused on participation in the Japan-Sri Lanka Defence Dialogue. During the visit, the delegation also visited the National Institute for Defence Studies (NIDS) in Tokyo’s Ichigaya district, where the delegation exchanged insights on research and education in defence and strategic sectors. Notably, discussions with high-level officials, including State Minister of Defence Miyazaki Masahisa, briefed the Sri Lankan team on Japan’s evolving security environment and underscored the importance of deepening defence ties between the two nations. As part of the program, the delegation also visited the Japanese naval ship JS Maya (DDG-179). The visit was attended by the State Minister of Defence, Commander Fleet Escort Force Vice Admiral Goka Yoshihiro, and the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Japan. Discussions during the ship visit covered enhancing naval cooperation, including port calls to Colombo, Official Security Assistance (OSA) collaboration, and sharing Sri Lanka’s experience in asymmetric naval warfare, alongside broader maritime security cooperation. The Deputy Minister of Defence of Sri Lanka extended an invitation to the Japanese State Minister of Defence and the Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), to visit Sri Lanka, further reinforcing bilateral defence relations. Officials noted that this maritime defence collaboration is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring regional peace and stability. (Pics: Defence.lk)