Article Posted on : - Jan 18, 2011

COLOMBO (PTI): Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik on Monday paid homage to the troops of the 1987 IPKF operation who made the ultimate sacrifice battling the LTTE rebels in Sri Lanka, as part of his four-day visit here to deepen military ties with Colombo.

Air Chief Marshal Naik paid floral tributes at a landmark monument built near Sri Lanka's parliamentary complex to honour 1,200 IPKF soldiers who died during the fighting with LTTE as part of the 1987 Indo-Lanka Peace Accord aimed at resolving the ethnic crisis in the country.

The IAF Chief received a red carpet welcome and a guard of honour at the air force headquarters, where he met his counterpart Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonatilake.

Later he was briefed on the role and task of the Sri Lanka Air Force, officials said.

During his stay, the Air Force Chief will hold meetings with top officials of the Lankan Government and defence establishment, including Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapksha and service chiefs on Tuesday in a bid to deepen military ties between the two neighbours.

The IAF Chief is scheduled to call on President Mahinda Rajapksha and External Affairs Minister Prof.G L Pieris Tuesday.

He will also visit Sri Lanka Air Force base at Katunayake, the home of Sri Lanka's fighter jet squadron.