Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting in Colombo today with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, describing the discussions as highly productive and reaffirming the close partnership between the two countries.

Singh conveyed the greetings of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and extended congratulations on the completion of two years of President Dissanayake’s government. 

He emphasized that as “civilized twins, close neighbors, and maritime partners,” India and Sri Lanka remain committed to working together for the development of their nations and the well‑being of their people.

The Defence Minister noted that both sides had also reaffirmed their resolve to cooperate on matters of security, safety, peace, and prosperity across the region. 

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday, marking the start of a three‑day official visit that will run until September 10. (Newswire)

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Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon on a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force, marking the start of a three‑day official visit that will run until September 10.

The visit is aimed at strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries, with Singh scheduled to hold talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and Defence Ministry Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuiyakontha, among others.

Indian media reports indicate that discussions will also focus on the implementation of the Indo‑Lanka Defence Cooperation Agreement, signed during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.

This visit carries added significance as it marks the first official visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Sri Lanka in 38 years. (Newswire)

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Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka on September 9 and 10 for talks focused on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, with maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region expected to figure prominently during his visit.

According to sources in the Ministry of Defence, during the visit, Mr. Singh is expected to meet Sri Lankan President and Defence Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha.

The discussions are expected to include a review of the full and timely implementation of the India-Sri Lanka Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo on April 5, 2025, it added.

The five-year agreement was the first-ever umbrella MoU on defence cooperation between the two countries and provides a structured framework for bilateral military engagement while addressing shared security concerns in the Indian Ocean.

The pact covers a range of areas, including enhancing joint military exercises, capacity building, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation, and increasing port calls by naval vessels of the two countries. It also provides for exploring opportunities for cooperation in the defence industry.

The agreement is valid for five years and allows either side to terminate it with three months’ prior notice. It can also be extended for a further three years by mutual agreement.

The defence MoU was among seven bilateral documents exchanged during Mr. Modi’s April 2025 visit, which marked his fourth visit to Sri Lanka since 2014 and the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country after Mr. Dissanayake assumed office in September 2024.

The April 2025 visit also saw agreements and understandings covering areas such as health, mass media, energy and connectivity. India and Sri Lanka also concluded bilateral amendatory agreements on debt restructuring.

The upcoming visit by Mr. Singh assumes significance amid India’s emphasis on maritime security and closer defence partnerships with Indian Ocean littoral states. 

It is expected to provide an opportunity to deepen military-to-military engagement and strengthen coordination between the two countries on shared regional security concerns. (The Hindu)

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South Korea’s former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun was formally arrested late on Tuesday on multiple charges including the “abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights”, following the short-lived imposition of martial law. 

On Wednesday, Yonhap reported that Mr Kim had attempted to kill himself shortly before the arrest.

A spokesperson for the Seoul Central District Court told AFP earlier in the day that Mr Kim had been arrested amid concerns that evidence might be destroyed.

Mr Kim said through his lawyers that “all responsibility for this situation lies solely with me” and that subordinates were “merely following my orders and fulfilling their assigned duties”.

Mr Kim, who was detained on Sunday, has been slapped with a travel ban along with the former interior minister and the general in charge of the martial law operation.

The operation saw troops and helicopters sent to parliament in an apparent — but failed — attempt to prevent members of parliament from voting down Mr Yoon’s martial law declaration.

Cho Ji-ho, commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, and Kim Bong-sik, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, were also arrested early on Wednesday, police said. 

Meanwhile, South Korean police say they have raided President Yoon Sook Yeol’s office, as the investigation into his declaration of martial law gathers pace.

“The Special Investigation Team has conducted a raid on the presidential office, the National Police Agency, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and the National Assembly Security Service,” the unit stated in a message sent to AFP.

Mr Yoon is already under a travel ban as part of an “insurrection” probe into his inner circle after his short-lived suspension of civilian rule on December 3.

The president is the subject of criminal investigation on insurrection charges over his short-lived imposition of martial law but he has not been arrested or questioned by authorities.

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said he blamed himself for failing to stop the emergency martial law, news agency Newsis reported on Wednesday.

Mr Yoon rescinded the martial law 6 hours later after parliament voted against it. (ABC)

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The Defence Minister of India, Shri Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka this week to review bilateral defence ties, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka announced.

According to the Indian High Commission, India’s Defence Minister will undertake a visit to Sri Lanka on 02-03 September 2023.

During the visit, Shri Rajnath Singh will hold talks with the President and Defence Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.  

The entire gamut of India’s defence ties with Sri Lanka will be reviewed during these meetings. The Defence Minister will also visit Nuwara Eliya and Trincomalee.

This visit of Shri Rajnath Singh reiterates India’s continued commitment to furthering the existing warm and friendly relations with Sri Lanka. 

The Indian High Commission added that the visit is an important landmark in deepening the enduring bonds of friendship between the two countries in the defence sphere. (NewsWire)

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State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon has been appointed as the Acting Minister of Defence, the Department of Government Information announced.

According to the department, Premitha Bandara Tennakoon will function in the post on behalf of President and Minister of Defence Ranil Wickremesinghe.

His appointment comes after President Ranil Wickremesinghe left for the United Kingdom (UK) today.

Premitha Bandara Tannakoon received the appointment from the President and will function in the role until President Wickremesinghe’s return to Sri Lanka. 

President Wickremesinghe left for the UK to attend the coronation of King Charles III which will take place on Saturday 6 May.

The coronation conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Westminster Abbey will kick off a weekend of events and celebrations in the UK. (NewsWire)

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