Sat May 03 09:44:11 UTC 2025: ## Sri Lanka to Present India Defence Pact to Parliament
**Colombo, May 3, 2025** – Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that a recently signed defence pact with India will soon be presented to Parliament. This follows opposition criticism alleging a secret agreement forged during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s April visit.
President Dissanayake refuted claims of secrecy, stating that the agreement is open to both countries and necessary for Sri Lanka’s security. He emphasized Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to preventing its territory from being used for anti-Indian activities, a position acknowledged by Prime Minister Modi.
The opposition’s concerns stem from the history of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)’s violent rebellion against a previous Indo-Lanka accord in the 1980s. The new MoU, the first major defence pact between the two nations, establishes a framework for increased military cooperation and will last for five years. It includes provisions for mutual respect of national laws and adherence to UN principles. India annually trains approximately 750 Sri Lankan military personnel, highlighting the existing strong defence partnership.
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