Sri Lanka and the Philippines this month agreed to strengthen defence cooperation through training, education and sharing experience in the area of defence and maritime security.

The decision followed talks between State Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasantha Senanayake and Philippines Undersecretary of National Defence Cardozo M. Luna.

Assistant Secretary for Assessments and International Affairs, Department of National Defense of Philippines Raymond Jose Quilop, Brig. Gen. Roseller Murillo of the PhilippinesArmed Forces , Aruni Ranaraja, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Philippines, and O.L. Ameerajwad, Director General of East Asia and Pacific, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka participated at the talks.