‘Chinese influence not a threat’

11 December 2011 04:38 pm Views - 8867

Visiting Sri Lankan Army Chief Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya today said though China's influence in the Indian Ocean is growing, it is not posing any threat to the Indian sub-continent.

"There is no threat to any country in the Indian sub-continent from the growing influence of China in the waters of the Indian Ocean. It is a wrong belief," Jayasuriya told reporters after reviewing the Passing Out Parade (POP) at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun India.

Regarding India, he said military cooperation between India and Sri Lanka was increasing and armies of the two countries are cooperating with each other in several areas including the field of training.

In this regard, he pointed out that 120 Sri Lankan officers had so far received training in the IMA. He said he also plans to meet Chief of Army Staff Gen V. K. Singh during his current visit.

On the LTTE, Jayasuriya said the LTTE in Sri Lanka has been completely decimated but admitted its sympathisers did exist in other countries.

"The LTTE has been decimated militarily but they do have sympathisers in the international diaspora,” he said. However, he said it was no more a military threat.

Asked about Tamils uprooted from the island nation during the Sri Lankan army's operation against the LTTE, the Sri Lankan army chief said the situation has now become "normal" and people have started coming back to their places.

The Sri Lankan government is also undertaking rehabilitation work in affected areas, he added. (Source: Times of India)