Sri Lanka Eyes Indian Model for New Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing Facility

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is planning to set up a small arms ammunition manufacturing unit in the country, and is already in talks with India for that purpose, revealed State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon on Wednesday (15) morning.

Speaking at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) under the theme of ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’ he said that elaborated on Sri Lanka's presence at a presentation made by Indian weapons manufacturers on the 10th of April, where the State Minister was the Chief Guest.

Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said that Sri Lanka is not trying to buy 'anything' at the moment, adding that such presentations are annual events

"Connectivity is really good, and military-to-military connectivity. Indian and Sri Lankan military-to-military connectivity is at a high. So we maintain that. So that doesn't mean that we are going to buy anything from anyone," elaborated the State Minister.

Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said that the Indian defense manufacturing arm has boomed during the last two decades, and it's a model that Sri Lanka will have to look into.

"We can take a lot from the Indian model. So there's nothing wrong in learning from them. And I think we also should get into the manufacturing," said the State Minister.

He said that the Sri Lankan military has expertise in weapons manufacturing; however, the scale is not as they expect it to be.

"So we are in touch with our Indian counterparts. And so there's so much that we can take and learn from India. And with a little help we also can do wonders here. So those discussions are ongoing at the moment," said the State Minister.

He confirmed that Sri Lanka is in discussion with India to set up a small arms ammunition manufacturing unit.