U.S. delegation including Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources visits SLNS Vijayabahu

A U.S. delegation, including the Deputy Secretary of State for Management & Resources and the Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Department of State, Mr. Richard R. Verma and the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E. Julie Chung visited SLNS Vijayabahu today (23rd February 2024). The occasion was also joined by a group of officials including the State Minister of Defence, Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon and Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera.

Rear Admiral Nishantha Peiris, the Director General Operations of the Sri Lanka Navy, delivered a presentation to the visiting U.S. delegation aboard the ship. He went on to mention the Sri Lanka Navy's role and highlighted the ongoing support and partnership from the United States. This collaboration includes capacity-building initiatives as well as various training activities, he further opined.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Verma expressed that the United States remains committed to their maritime security partnership with Sri Lanka and supporting the growth of the Sri Lanka Navy fleet. He also stated that efforts are underway to provide another Offshore Patrol Vessel from the United States to the Sri Lanka Navy. Mr. Richard R. Verma also serves as Principal Adviser to the Secretary on overall supervision and direction of resource allocation and management activities of the U.S. Department of State and assists in supervision of operational programmes of the Department, including foreign assistance programmes.

Speaking on this occasion, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera stated that the ships received by the Sri Lanka Navy from the United States have effectively supported maritime security and law enforcement operations, enhancing the Navy's capabilities. Adding further, he mentioned that Sri Lanka Navy’s fleet would be utilized to secure both the island waters as well as the Indian Ocean Region and high seas, taking into account the freedom of navigation. Finally, he expressed his deep sense of gratitude to the United States for its ongoing support to the Sri Lanka Navy, which has been crucial in fulfilling the country's aspiration of nurturing a stable ocean region.

The State Minister of Defence, Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, highlighted at the event that the enduring diplomatic ties between the United States and Sri Lanka have significantly enhanced Sri Lanka's national security strategies and capabilities, particularly in the maritime domain. He also said that, as a result of these relationships, the Navy had been able to effectively address non-traditional maritime challenges as well as conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) operations for distressed maritime and fishing communities within Sri Lanka's search and rescue region. The State Minister of Defence also thanked the United States for their ongoing support and partnership with Sri Lanka.

Diplomats from the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Pradeep Rathnayake, Deputy Area Commander Western Naval Area, Commodore Dammika Wijewardena, a group of senior officers from the Navy Headquarters and Western Naval Command, Commanding Officer SLNS Vijayabahu, Captain Nalin Gonagala were also present on this occasion.