Sri Lanka–U.S. Defence Pact Presented To Parliament

COLOMBO (News1st Sri Lanka took a historic step in strengthening its defense ties with the United States through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on November 14 at the Ministry of Defense.

The agreement formalizes a partnership between the Montana National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard District 13, and the Sri Lanka Armed Forces under the State Partnership Program (SPP).

Deputy Defense Minister Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekara presented the agreement to Parliament on Thursday (20).

The first series of joint activities is scheduled for summer 2026, focusing on disaster response, maritime security, and professional military education.

With this agreement, Sri Lanka joins a global network of 115 nations partnered with U.S. state National Guards under the SPP.

The MOU was signed by U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung, Brigadier General Trenton Gibson (Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard), and Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, Secretary of Defense.