The Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence has invited India for the South Asia and South East Asia Defence Chiefs’ Dialogue, which it is holding from Nov 27 to 29.

Speaking to The New Indian Express General Jagath Jayasuriya, Chief of Defence Staff of the Sri Lankan army, said that an invitation had been sent in March-April, but no reply has been received yet, presumably because the post of Tri-Services Chief of Defence Staff has not been filled after the retirement of the Army chief, Gen Bikram Singh.

Jagath Jayasuriya also pointed out that there will be ample opportunity for individual talks during the event.

“Sri Lanka is aiming to be a maritime, aviation and commercial hub, and this needs security. . Hence the need for a dialogue and the setting up of an institutional structure to facilitate periodic interaction,” he said.

Sri Lanka is to initiate and host the inaugural South and Southeast Asian Nations (SASEAN) Defence Chiefs' Dialogue- 2014 in November (2014) in Colombo.

The meeting of Defence Chiefs in the region is held under a directive of Secretary Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa upon a proposal made by the Chief of Defence Staff.