Sri Lanka-India joint military exercise ’Mithra Shakthi’ kicks off in Pune

• This annual training programme is designed to  enhance interoperability, foster military cooperation, conduct joint  tactical operations, share experiences, and address transnational  military issues

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

A contingent comprising 29 officers and 94 other ranks, assigned to participate in the jointly organized ‘Mithra Shakthi’ military exercise by the Sri Lanka Army and the Indian Army, departed for India.   

The ‘Mithra Shakthi’ joint military exercise was scheduled to commence yesterday(16) at the 330 Infantry Brigade of the Indian Army in Pune, India, and will continue till November 29, 2023.   

This annual training programme, initiated in 2012, is designed to enhance interoperability, foster military cooperation, conduct joint tactical operations, share experiences, and address transnational military issues.   

Major General Rathnayaka, General Officer Commanding, 53 Infantry Division, leads the Sri Lankan Army contingent as the Exercise Overall Coordinator. Colonel M.J. Ubeysekera serves as the Exercise Director, with Colonel B.Y. Nanayakkara as the Exercise Deputy Director, and Colonel R.M.S. Ranasinghe as the Exercise Log Command.   
The Sri Lankan officers will engage with their Indian Army counterparts during this collaborative exercise.   

The ninth installment in the series aims to develop joint strategies by sharing expertise in conducting operations, particularly in the counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism (CI and CT) environment. The exercise will encompass weapons training, basic military tactics, and complex battle strategies, the Sri Lanka Army said.