The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), announced today (20) that the defence agreement signed between Sri Lanka and the United States will be tabled in Parliament for the second time.
He made this statement while addressing Parliament, responding to comments made earlier by MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, who claimed that although it was previously stated that the agreement had been tabled, only a Sinhala-language version of the document had been presented. The MP argued that the agreement had not been officially tabled.
Clarifying this, the Deputy Minister said the agreement had indeed been tabled earlier during the third reading debate of the Defence Ministry and that he was submitting it again today for the record.
The United States and Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on November 14 at the Ministry of Defence to enhance bilateral defence cooperation. The agreement was signed by U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung and Brigadier General Trenton Gibson, Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard, on behalf of the U.S. Government, while Secretary of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) signed on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.
According to the Defence Ministry, the agreement formalises collaboration between the Montana National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard District 13, and the Sri Lanka Armed Forces under the U.S. Department of Defence’s State Partnership Program (SPP).
Following the signing, Deputy Minister Jayasekara emphasised that the MOU marks a significant milestone in the long-standing defence partnership between Sri Lanka and the United States.
“This landmark agreement underscores our shared strategic interests and mutual commitment, paving the way for enhanced collaboration in capacity building, joint training, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, cyber defence, peacekeeping, CBRN response, and leadership development. We deeply appreciate the unwavering friendship, solidarity, and generosity of the United States and look forward to further strengthening this vital partnership,” he said.
U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung also highlighted the importance of continued defence cooperation between the two nations, noting the deep and enduring friendship built on shared values. She expressed confidence that the renewed commitments would foster more joint training and learning opportunities.
With this MOU, Sri Lanka becomes part of the global network of 115 nations partnered with U.S. state National Guards under the State Partnership Program. The first series of joint activities under the MOU is scheduled for 2026 and will focus on disaster response, maritime domain awareness, and professional military education. The partnership is expected to strengthen interoperability through joint training, maritime cooperation to combat trafficking and illicit migration, crisis response and humanitarian assistance, aviation operations, and enhanced military–civilian disaster preparedness, the Defence Ministry said.
