October 01, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka and the United States have held high-level discussions on broadening military cooperation, with both sides examining ways to improve joint preparedness and coordination in the face of evolving security concerns.
Lieutenant General Joel JB Vowell, Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC), met separately on September 30 with Deputy Defence Minister Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd).
The talks included proposals for expanding joint training programmes and improving interoperability between the two countries’ armed forces. Discussions also covered the importance of maintaining effective mechanisms for responding to crises and new security challenges.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the meetings also allowed the officials to exchange views on matters of shared interest and identify further areas in which the two countries could work together.
US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires David Myers, Defence Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Matthew House, along with senior representatives from the embassy and US Army Pacific, attended the discussions.