Sri Lanka and U.S. Cement Defence Partnership with Landmark MOU Signing

On 14 November, Sri Lanka and the United States signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Ministry of Defence, marking a decisive step in strengthening bilateral defence cooperation. Signed by US Ambassador Julie Chung, Brigadier General Trenton Gibson, and Sri Lanka’s Secretary of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, the agreement cements strategic collaboration, facilitates joint training, and sets the stage for cooperation in disaster response, cyber defence, maritime security, CBRN response, peacekeeping, and professional military education.

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara described the MOU as a pivotal milestone in the enduring partnership between the two nations, underscoring its role in fostering mutual understanding, trust, and shared strategic interests. Ambassador Chung emphasized the long-standing friendship, shared values, and unwavering commitment that form the foundation of bilateral defence relations, expressing confidence that the agreement would open avenues for professional exchange, leadership development, humanitarian assistance, and coordinated crisis response.

Through this MOU, Sri Lanka formally joins the U.S. State Partnership Program (SPP), a global network linking 115 countries with U.S. National Guards, enabling closer military-to-military engagement. The first series of joint initiatives under this agreement is planned for 2026, focusing on maritime domain awareness, aviation operations, disaster preparedness, counter-trafficking, and crisis response. The ceremony concluded with an exchange of commemorative mementoes, attended by senior officials from the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, Coast Guard, Disaster Management Centre, National Authority for Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC), US embassy, and Montana National Guard.