"We assure the Indian government that nothing against India will happen in Sri Lankan land and waters around it," Sri Lankan Navy chief Vice Admiral R C Wijegunaratne said when asked about the docking of Chinese submarines there.
The Sri Lankan Navy chief is on an official visit to India from January 29 to February 2. The visit is aimed at consolidating bilateral naval relations between India and Sri Lanka as well as explore new avenues for naval cooperation.
"We have also invited Indian firms," he said.
Wijegunaratne said security at the Colombo Port City (renamed Financial City) would be entrusted to the Sri Lankan Navy and not the Chinese as is being speculated.
More From This Section
He also hoped that training of Lankan defence personnel at the Defence Service Staff College at Wellington in Tamil Nadu will restart.
The Sri Lankan Navy chief held bilateral discussions with Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and other senior officials.
He is also scheduled to meet the Chief of the Air Staff, Chief of the Army Staff as well as the Director General, Indian Coast Guard.
The Admiral is also scheduled to proceed to Goa where he will be visiting Naval War College and Goa Shipyard Limited besides interacting with Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area.
He will further visit the Training Command of the Indian Navy based at Kochi, where he would be briefed on training aspects and visit various training facilities/professional schools.
During his visit to Kochi, Wijegunaratne would interact with Sri Lankan Naval personnel undergoing training in India.