Colombo: The newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E. Eric Meyer, paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), at his office in Colombo yesterday.

According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, during the meeting, the Deputy Minister and the U.S. Ambassador discussed matters of mutual interest and explored ways to enhance the longstanding relations and defence cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United States. Both parties highlighted the significance of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), emphasizing its importance due to Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean.

The Deputy Minister expressed appreciation for the recent transfers of a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter and helicopters, which have contributed to reinforcing the bilateral defence partnership. He also acknowledged the U.S. assistance during the ‘Ditwah’ cyclone disaster, where emergency relief supplies and rescue efforts played a vital role in aiding the affected regions. Both sides sho
wed optimism about the future of their bilateral engagement and its potential to strengthen further.