The long-awaited Sri Lanka–United States Defence Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), previously criticised for being withheld from the public, has now been officially released, offering clarity on the nature and objectives of the agreement signed earlier this month. The disclosure comes after several civil society groups and political commentators questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the pact, prompting the government to publish the complete document.
Signed on 14 November 2025, the MoU formalises enhanced defence cooperation under the US State Partnership Program (SPP), linking Sri Lanka’s Armed Forces with the Montana National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard District 13. The agreement was executed at the Ministry of Defence, with US Ambassador Julie Chung and Brigadier General Trenton Gibson signing on behalf of Washington, while Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha represented Sri Lanka.
With the MoU now in the public domain, its provisions outline a wide-ranging framework for collaboration. These include joint military training, maritime security operations, cyber defence, disaster preparedness, military–civil coordination, and professional military education. The MoU emphasises building interoperability between the two countries’ armed forces and boosting Sri Lanka’s operational readiness at a time of evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
One of the key areas highlighted is maritime domain awareness, a priority for both nations given the island’s strategic location along vital sea lanes. The agreement calls for cooperation to strengthen surveillance and response capabilities related to illegal trafficking, irregular migration, and narcotics interdiction. This is expected to support Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to curb maritime crimes, often exacerbated by regional instability.
The pact also places significant weight on disaster response and humanitarian assistance, recognising Sri Lanka’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Joint drills and capacity-building programmes are planned to improve coordination between Sri Lankan forces and U.S. emergency teams during natural catastrophes such as floods, landslides, and cyclones.
US Ambassador Julie Chung described the MoU as a “historic milestone” in Sri Lanka–US relations. She noted that the agreement deepens strategic cooperation while reinforcing mutual trust, long-term security collaboration, and shared interests in safeguarding peace and stability in the wider region.
Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha echoed similar sentiments, stating that the MoU is a “forward-looking” defence partnership that strengthens Sri Lanka’s capabilities and opens new avenues for technical expertise, training, and capacity building. He emphasised that the partnership complements Sri Lanka’s national security priorities without compromising sovereignty.
By entering the pact, Sri Lanka joins a global network of over 115 countries partnered with the United States under the SPP. The first joint activities are scheduled to begin in mid-2026, prioritising disaster management exercises and maritime security operations.
The public release of the MoU is expected to ease earlier concerns and contribute to a more informed national dialogue on Sri Lanka’s evolving defence engagements with international partners.
