Category: Defense
Montana National Guard Signs MOU with SL Armed Forces Under State Partnership Program
Today, at the Ministry of Defense, the United States and Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing the defense partnership between the Montana National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard District 13, and the Sri Lanka Armed Forces under the Department of War’s State Partnership Program (SPP). U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung, Adjutant General of […]
United States and Sri Lanka Launch Multilateral PACIFIC ANGEL 25 Exercise
Today, the United States and Sri Lanka officially launched PACIFIC ANGEL (Pac Angel) 25 at Katunayake Air Base, with U.S. Defense Attaché Lt. Col. Matthew House joining Sri Lanka Air Force leaders to open the exercise. The five-day multilateral program, running from September 8–12, brings together nearly 90 U.S. and 120 Sri Lanka Air Force […]
U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship USS Santa Barbara to Arrive in Colombo
The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka announces the visit of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) to the Port of Colombo on August 16. The visit marks the USS Santa Barbara’s first port call to Colombo, underscoring the strength of the U.S.–Sri Lanka partnership and our shared commitment to a secure, […]
Priyantha Weerasuriya Appointed as New IGP
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya, as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP). The letter of appointment was handed over to the new Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya today afternoon (13) by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the […]
U.S. Embassy Transfers USD 1 Mn in Advanced Nuclear Detection Equipment to Strengthen SL’s Maritime Security
The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka has provided state-of-the-art radiation and chemical detection equipment valued at $1 million (299 million LKR) to the Sri Lanka Navy, significantly boosting the country’s capacity to detect and respond to nuclear, radiological, and chemical threats in its maritime domain. This advanced equipment, supplied through the Department of Energy’s National […]
U.S. and Sri Lanka Mark 20 Years of Port Security Cooperation with Colombo Radiation Detection Upgrade
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung commissioned new radiation detection equipment at Port of Colombo on Friday, March 28, provided by the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA)’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD) through its Megaports Initiative. The equipment, valued at approximately $500,000 (Rs. 148 million), will be used […]
Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Samuel Paparo to visit Sri Lanka
The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka is pleased to announce that the Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, will travel to Colombo from March 19-21. During his visit, Admiral Paparo will engage with senior Sri Lankan government officials and military leaders to reaffirm the enduring U.S.-Sri Lankan security partnership and […]
Thai National Security Council Secretary-General reaffirms commitment to rescuing victims in Myanmar
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka, E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe called on Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC) of Thailand, Chatchai Bangchuad on 10 January 2025. The meeting focused on fostering greater collaboration in the area of security and addressing shared challenges affecting both countries and the region. During the meeting both sides underscored […]
Sri Lanka and Thailand strengthen defence cooperation
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka in Thailand, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe met with Vice Minister for the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand, General Nipat Thonglek to discuss strengthening defence cooperation between Sri Lanka and Thailand with a particular focus on human trafficking issues. The meeting, held in Bangkok on 09 January 2024, was […]
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy hospital ship ‘Peace Ark’ arrives in Colombo
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy hospital ship ‘Peace Ark’ arrived in Colombo on a formal visit on 21st December 2024. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions. ‘Peace Ark’ is a 178m long hospital ship, crewed by 310 personnel under the command of Captain Deng Qiang. […]
United States lifts the security alert on the Arugam Bay area
The United States today lifted the security alert on the Arugam Bay area, following close collaboration with the Sri Lankan side and the immediate and extensive security measures put in place by the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Public Security and related agencies. Sri Lanka takes any security alert seriously, and accordingly the Sri […]
Palali-Achchuveli Main Road Reopens after 3 decades
Following directives from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Palali-Achchuveli main road was reopened today (01) after three decades of closure. The road, initially closed due to the prolonged 30-year civil conflict, remained inaccessible even in the 15 years following the end of the war. Residents of the Northern Province had long called for the road’s […]