Colombo, Nov. 13 – The United States and Sri Lanka today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Ministry of Defense, officially establishing a defense partnership between the Montana National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard District 13, and the Sri Lankan Armed Forces under the U.S. Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program (SPP).
The agreement was signed by U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung, Brigadier General Trenton Gibson, Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard, and Sri Lanka’s Secretary of Defense Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, marking a historic advancement in bilateral defense ties.
A Strengthened Commitment to Indo-Pacific Security
In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said the MOU underscores both nations’ commitment to regional stability, maritime security, and professional military cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
Ambassador Julie Chung emphasized the significance of this partnership:
“This partnership with Sri Lanka strengthens our shared resolve for a secure Indo-Pacific—building trust, readiness, and lasting peace through partnership.”
Defense Secretary Thuyacontha called the agreement a “progressive initiative” to enhance Sri Lanka’s defense capabilities, noting decades of cooperation in training, disaster relief, and military exchanges.
Brig. Gen. Gibson stated:
“Together, we’ll build strength, trust, and lasting bonds that enhance the security of both our nations.”
Background: A Growing Partnership
The Montana–Sri Lanka partnership, established in 2021, has since expanded through:
- Joint training
- Expert exchanges
- Disaster response exercises
- Reciprocal visits
Key recent engagements include:
- ATLAS ANGEL 2024
- PACIFIC ANGEL 2025
- Joint oil spill response training in Seattle with the U.S. Coast Guard District 13
Sri Lanka now becomes part of a global network of 115 partner nations linked with U.S. state National Guards under the SPP.
What Comes Next
The first activities under the new MOU are scheduled for summer 2026, focusing on:
- Disaster response and crisis readiness
- Maritime domain awareness
- Professional military education
- Aviation operations
- Humanitarian assistance and military engineering
- Military–civilian disaster coordination
The Montana National Guard, known for both its state and federal missions, will bring extensive expertise in homeland defense, disaster management, and international security cooperation.
