Links established between Turkish Aerospace and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University of Sri Lanka

A fruitful virtual discussion between Maj. Gen Milinda Peiris, Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) of Sri Lanka and Prof. Ahmet Pınarbaşı, President of the Academy of Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) was held on 14.02.2022 to establish collaborations between General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) and the Academy of Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI). This project was initiated as a follow up to the recent visit of Gen. G.D.H. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil, Secretary Defence of Sri Lanka to Turkey to attend the 15th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2021. During the visit, Secretary Defence visited the Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) stall at the IDEF exhibition and the President of TAI, Prof. Rafet Bozdogan and the CEO of TAI, Prof. Temel Kotil had a special briefing on TAI and expressed their willingness to collaborate with Sri Lanka.

Maj. Gen Milinda Peiris, Vice Chancellor of KDU during his remarks noted the strength of the TAI and expressed their willingness to establish contacts in the area of students’ exchanges, academic exchanges, industrial training opportunities and study visits to TAI and vice versa.

Prof. Ahmet Pınarbaşı, President of the Academy of Turkish Aerospace Industry briefed on the Turkish Aerospace Industry and indicated that Turkish Aerospace Industry is ready to work on possible areas of collaborations and it will be mooted soon.

During the opening remarks, Ambassador Rizvi Hassen highlighted the importance of establishing contacts between the TAI and the KDU.

Further, two sides explored the possibilities of entering into a Memorandum of Understanding.

Senior academic staff of KDU and senior officials of TAI attended for the meeting and shared their expertise on collaborations.

14.02.2022

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Ankara