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India to train SL elite forces
By Anthony David
On a request made by the UNF government, India has agreed to provide special combat training to special forces of the Sri Lankan Army.

The Sunday Times learns that arrangements are already underway for Sri Lanka Army Special Forces to take up placements in some of India's leading Commando and Special Forces establishments.

This military cooperation deal - the first since the withdrawal of the IPKF in 1990 - was worked out on a request by Sri Lanka and details were finalised when Minister Milinda Moragoda accompanied by the Army's Special Forces Training Chief, Major General Gamini Hettiarachchi and Security Consultant Ravi Jayewardene met Indian leaders and military top brass last week.

Mr. Moragoda was in India along with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who held extensive talks with Indian leaders on the peace process and economic cooperation.

On his return via Chennai Mr. Wickremesinghe called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jeyaram to discuss at length the peace process and matters relating to the return of refugees.

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