Kigali, 5 July 2024

Today, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces, Gen Shavendra Silva along with his delegation visited the Rwanda Defence Force Headquarters and were received by Gen MK Mubarakh, the RDF Chief of Defence Staff. He also extended a courtesy visit to the Minister of Defence, Hon. J Marizamunda.

They held discussions on enhancing the existing bilateral defence cooperation between Sri Lanka Armed Forces and the Rwanda Defence Force. 

While addressing the media, the Chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka Armed Forces said that the purpose of his visit was to exchange experience and expertise on capacity building of both the Rwanda Defence Force and Sri Lanka Armed Forces highlighting how the two countries could exchange instructors from Staff College and various other institutions.

"In Rwanda, the defence forces have done great service to the nation by supporting in the socio economic development of the country. We have been discussing the bilateral exchange of what we could do. We provided certain courses to the Rwandan forces in Sri Lanka and we aim to increase exchanges between the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka and Rwanda." said Gen Shavendra.

The Chief of Defence Staff of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces also paid respects to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and also visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum before participating in the celebration of 30 years of Liberation of Rwanda, in the ceremony held at Amahoro Stadium on 4th July 2024.