Centre rejects Jaya's demand on Lankan personnel's training
India will continue to train Sri Lankan defence personnel at its establishments, Minister of State for Defence M.M. Raju has said, notwithstanding opposition by parties from Tamil Nadu, including Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa The minister's statement came against the backdrop of the demand for expulsion of two such Lankan officers from Defence Services Staff College in Wellington by Jayalalitha. "Sri Lanka is a friendly foreign country and the training will go on.
Sometimes there are objections raised by local governments which we have to take into consideration," Raju told reporters. The minister was asked about the response of the Defence Ministry on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's demand. In July, nine Sri Lankan defence personnel were removed from a training institution in Tambaram to Bangalore after opposition from political parties in the state.
In her letter, Jayalalithaa said such "reprehensible attitude" on part of the Centre was reflected in permitting two Sri Lankan defence personnel - Major Dissanayaka Mohottalalage Vengra and Captain Hewawasam Kadaudage - to undergo 11 months training at Defence Services Staff College at Wellington from May 19.