Colombo (News 1st): Admiral Philip S. Davidson, the US Navy Commander for the US Indo-Pacific Command said Sri Lanka remains a significant strategic opportunity in the Indian Ocean.

In his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on US Indo-Pacific Command Posture Admiral Philip said the military-to-military relationship between Sri Lanka and the United State continues to strengthen.

He adds Sri Lanka handing over the deepwater port of Hambantota to China on a 99-year lease due to its mounting debts to China, has caused international concern.

He noted United States Indo-Pacific Command cooperation with the Sri Lankan Military centers on building capacity in maritime security and maritime domain awareness, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as well as humanitarian demining, medical assistance, and peacekeeping operations.

He stressed increasing navy-to-navy engagement with Sri Lanka will be a USINDOPACOM focus in 2019.