Colombo: The outgoing Naval Attaché of the United States Embassy in Colombo, Lieutenant Commander Jessica De Mont, outgoing Deputy Defence Attaché, Mr. Seth Nevins, and the incoming Naval Attaché, Lieutenant Commander Samuel Gitlitz, called on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), and the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), on separate occasions today (25 June).

According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the Deputy Minister of Defence appreciated the contributions of the outgoing US Embassy Naval Attaché and Deputy Defence Attaché in strengthening defence cooperation and fostering relations between Sri Lanka and the United States. He also welcomed the incoming Naval Attaché, Lieutenant Commander Gitlitz, and wished him success in his new appointment.

The Defence Secretary expressed his appreciation for the valuable contributions made by the outgoing Naval Attaché towards enhancing bilateral defence cooperation and extended his best wishes for h
er future assignments. Welcoming Lieutenant Commander Gitlitz, the Defence Secretary conveyed his confidence that the longstanding defence partnership between Sri Lanka and the United States would continue to grow and prosper.

US Defence Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew House was also associated with the visits.