Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia Reaffirm Commitment to Closer Defence Ties
February 14, 2026Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence ties following a high level bilateral discussion held at the Ministry of National Guard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The meeting, which took place last week (09 Feb), brought together the Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) and the Deputy Minister of the National Guard of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood, during the Deputy Minister’s official visit to the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026. The dialogue focused on enhancing mutual understanding and charting a path for future collaboration in the defence sector.
During the discussions, the Deputy Minister Maj. Gen. Jayasekara expressed his sincere appreciation for the warm and friendly bilateral relations that have long existed between the two nations. The Sri Lankan side sought continued cooperation and support from the Kingdom in areas of shared interest, aiming to further solidify this longstanding partnership.
A significant portion of the talks was dedicated to enhancing Maritime Security. Both sides exchanged in depth views on the emerging security challenges within the region, with a particular focus on the threats posed by drug trafficking and smuggling activities. They underscored the urgent need for enhanced coordination to effectively counter these transnational crimes.
The conversation also ventured into the future of defence, with discussions on emerging Defence Trends and Doctrines.
They also deliberated on contemporary defence strategies, evolving regional and global security dynamics, and modern defence concepts, seeking to align their understanding of the shifting security landscape.
Looking ahead, both parties expressed a strong mutual interest in deepening institutional ties. The meeting explored the possibility of organizing bilateral future defence engagements, including structured Defence Talks and Staff Talks. Additionally, the potential for establishing capacity building programs and enhancing training opportunities was discussed as a key pillar of future cooperation.
The meeting concluded on a highly positive note, with both the Deputy Minister Maj. Gen. Jayasekara and Dr. Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood reaffirming their dedication to further strengthening defence collaboration for the mutual benefit of both countries.
