Pakistan pledges enhanced training for Lankan military

Pakistan today assured Sri Lanka with continued and enhanced training for its military personnel.
This was conveyed to Sri Lankan Army Commander Gen Jagath Jayasuriya by visiting Pakistani Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
The Pakistani pledge assumes significance in the light of refusal by the Tamil Nadu government to allow Sri Lankan military personnel train in the state.
Several Sri Lankan army officers were turned back from training in Tamil Nadu due to protests from Tamil political parties who regard the training extended to Lankan military in the state as an act in derogation of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

"The meeting also explored avenues of receiving more and more training opportunities for Sri Lankan officers in Pakistan, in addition to ongoing training programmes," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement here.
Participation in Sri Lanka Army's Defence Seminar, higher education programmes in both countries and Sri Lanka's military exercise 'cormorant' were among other matters that were taken up.
Discussions also focused on possibilities of broadening bilateral understanding and goodwill among officers of both organisations further.
Kayani is in Sri Lanka on a 4-day visit.