Minister of Foreign Affairs visits onboard USS ‘Lake Erie’
A guided-missile cruiser of the United States Navy, USS ‘Lake Erie’ arrived at the Port of Colombo on a post relief mission on 11th June. In appreciation of the noble efforts of the ship’s crew, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Ravi Karunanayake made a visit aboard the US naval vessel today (June, 16).
US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr. Atul Keshap, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Director General Operations, Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva and Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Niraja Attygalle were also present on this occasion.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Ravi Karunanayake expressed his profound gratitude to the US Government for assisting Sri Lanka following the recent disaster situation. Speaking on this occasion, the Commander of the Navy made his sincere remarks on the US Marines who also played an instrumental role in establishing the SLN Marine Battalion.
USS ‘Lake Erie’ is on a two-week post relief mission in Sri Lanka and the US naval personnel onboard ship have rendered assistance to clean 324 wells, 4 schools and reconstruct 4 bunds of tanks.
The ship is due to leave from the Colombo harbour on 25th of this month.