• “India and Sri Lanka have many things in common while there are differences. These differences should not become disputes”

By Yohan Perera 

The handing over of Dornier Aircraft by India to Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) is the  start of a greater cooperation among SLAF, Sri Lankan Navy and the  Indian Navy in the field of maritime surveillance, President Ranil  Wickremesinghe said yesterday. 

“The aircraft is an enhancement of SLAF. It is also the start of a  greater cooperation between SLAF, Sri Lankan Navy and the Indian Navy in  the field of maritime surveillance,” President Wickremesinghe said during  the handing over ceremony of the Dornier Aircraft from India to SLAF at the Katunayake Airbase. 

“This is an instance where SLAF had taken charge of an aircraft  belonging to Indian Navy. By next year, we shall have our own Dornier  Aircraft. I thank India for helping us for a long time,” the President  said. 

“Late Pandit  Nehru once in his address to the nation after India gained independence  said, the independence offers greater opportunities for India to  grasp. India has grasped it. By the middle of this century India would  become a powerful nation in the globe. I would like to advise young up and  coming politicians to develop relationships with their Indian colleagues.  If not they won’t be able deal with the issues that might arise,” he  added. 

“India and Sri  Lanka have many things in common while there are differences. These  differences should not become disputes,” the President also said.