Rajnath Singh calls on Sri Lanka's President and Prime Minister in Colombo; MoUs signed on L70 guns, NCC and National Defence Colleges
On 9 September 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo, where the two sides exchanged defence MoUs and inaugurated three Indian-built Bailey bridges.
Summary
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on 9 September 2026. Dissanayake reiterated that Sri Lanka would never allow its territory to be used against India's security interests and thanked India for relief under Operation Sagar Bandhu during Cyclone Ditwah. The two leaders virtually inaugurated three Bailey bridges built by the Indian Defence Forces, and MoUs were exchanged on upgrading six L70 guns of the Sri Lankan Air Force and on cooperation between the National Cadet Corps and the National Defence Colleges of both countries. Singh also met Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on development cooperation and addressed Sri Lanka's Ministry of Defence, saying secure sea lanes and freedom of navigation are pivotal for the Indian Ocean Region.
Key facts
- Visit
- Rajnath Singh in Colombo â 9 Sep 2026
- Met
- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake; PM Harini Amarasuriya
- MoUs
- Upgrade of 6 L70 guns (SLAF); NCC cooperation; NDC academic cooperation
- Inaugurated
- 3 Bailey bridges built by Indian Defence Forces
- Assurance
- Sri Lankan territory won't be used against India's security
- Relief recalled
- Operation Sagar Bandhu â Cyclone Ditwah
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Who is the President of Sri Lanka whom Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met in Colombo on 9 September 2026?
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Correct answer: A â Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Rajnath Singh called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on 9 September 2026.
During Rajnath Singh's visit to Sri Lanka in September 2026, an MoU was exchanged on upgrading which equipment of the Sri Lankan Air Force?
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Correct answer: B â Six L70 guns
The MoU covers the upgradation of six L70 guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force.
President Dissanayake thanked India for relief under which operation during Cyclone Ditwah?
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Correct answer: C â Operation Sagar Bandhu
Dissanayake expressed gratitude for India's relief under Operation Sagar Bandhu during Cyclone Ditwah.
Consider the following about Rajnath Singh's visit to Colombo on 9 September 2026: 1. Three Bailey bridges built by the Indian Defence Forces were virtually inaugurated. 2. An MoU was signed to formalise the NCC youth exchange programme between India and Sri Lanka. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C â Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The leaders inaugurated three Indian-built Bailey bridges, and the NCC MoU formalises the youth exchange programme.