Colombo, March 19 – Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday (19) for a three-day visit, reaffirming U.S.-Sri Lanka security cooperation.
During his stay until March 21, Admiral Paparo will engage with senior Sri Lankan government officials and military leaders to discuss regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
U.S. Ambassador Julie J. Chung shared a photo with the visiting Admiral on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that the visit strengthens the bilateral defense partnership and underscores the United States’ commitment to peace and security in the region.
About Admiral Samuel J. Paparo
- A U.S. Naval Aviator and TOPGUN graduate, he has logged over 6,000 flight hours in the F-14, F-15, and F/A-18, with 1,100 carrier landings.
- He has held multiple operational command positions, including Carrier Strike Group leadership and service in Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
- His career spans both air and naval combat roles, joint military operations, and strategic command positions in the U.S. Navy.
- Prior to leading INDOPACOM, he served as Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet (2021-2024).
- As Commander of INDOPACOM, he oversees 380,000 U.S. military personnel across 36 nations in the Indo-Pacific, covering 60% of the world’s population.
His visit highlights Sri Lanka’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific and reflects ongoing diplomatic and defense cooperation between Colombo and Washington.
