US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, took to social media yesterday, explaining the key facets of the recently inked memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Colombo formalising the US-Sri Lanka defense partnership under the Department of War’s State Partnership Programme.
The agreement strengthens cooperation in defence, disaster response, and regional security.
Chung highlighted the significance of the new chapter in US-Sri Lanka defence cooperation: “From wildfire response and flood relief in Montana to peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts overseas, the Montana National Guard has a record of service and professionalism. This partnership with Sri Lanka strengthens our shared resolve for a secure Indo-Pacific — building trust, readiness, and lasting peace through partnership.”
“Transparency builds trust. The State Partnership Programme (SPP) MOU between the Montana National Guard and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence – signed on 14 November and tabled today in Parliament – reinforces our shared commitment to transparency and trust. We’re proud of this partnership and look forward to expanding cooperation through the SPP, especially on disaster response, maritime security, and professional military exchanges – benefiting both our nations and contributing to a more secure Indo-Pacific,” the top diplomat in Colombo tweeted on platform X.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence AVM (Rted.) Sampath Thuyacontha said: “This agreement represents a progressive initiative that will further enhance Sri Lanka’s defense capabilities. Our two nations have long cooperated in areas such as military training, disaster relief, and defence exchanges. This framework will open new avenues for collaboration, promote capacity-building, and contribute to ensuring peace, security, and stability across the region.”
Established in 2021, the Montana-Sri Lanka partnership takes a major step forward as the MoU formalises a framework for deeper collaboration, strengthening professional ties and advancing joint security cooperation between the two nations. Through the State Partnership Programme, the Montana National Guard, the citizen-soldier component of the US Armed Forces from the State of Montana, brings extensive expertise in disaster response, homeland defence, and global partnerships.
The first series of joint activities under this MoU is planned for the summer of next year (2026), focusing on disaster response, maritime domain awareness, and professional military education. The Montana-Sri Lanka National Guard partnership will focus on: joint training and professional exchanges to enhance interoperability and readiness; maritime domain awareness cooperation, addressing trafficking, migration, and narcotics interdiction; crisis response and humanitarian assistance, leveraging the Guard’s dual military-civilian capabilities, to include military medical and engineer activities; aviation operations, supporting mission success through skill and excellence; and military and civil disaster readiness and response, military-civilian coordination for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.