COLOMBO (News 1st); The newly-appointed New Zealand’s first resident High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Michael Appleton paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), General Shavendra Silva on Friday (13). Discussions that ensued largely focused on sound bilateral relations that prevail between both countries, military organizations and possibilities for further improvement with varying training modules for tri servicemen in Sri Lanka. General Silva gratefully acknowledged the understanding and the cooperation, being extended by New Zealand counterparts to the Army throughout last couples of years and expressed his desire to further promote such ties in future. Towards the end of the interaction, General Shavendra Silva awarded a memento to the New Zealand’s envoy to Sri Lanka, Michael Appleton. Prior to his departure, the visiting New Zealand’s High Commissioner inquired into the status quo of COVID-19 control in Sri Lanka from General Shavendra Silva who is also the Head of the NOCPCO.

Source: The Nation August 13, 2021 10:52 UTC