Ambassador Devinda R. Subasinghe accompanied by Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy completed a successful visit to US Pacific Command Headquarters in Hawaii from 11-14 June. The result of an earlier visit by Hon Milinda Moragoda, Minister of Economic Reforms, Science and Technology in November 2002, the delegation also comprised of Brigadier Rohan Jayasinghe, Defence Attaché for Sri Lanka in the US and Captain Shirantha Udawatte of the Sri Lanka Navy.

Ambassador Subasinghe and the delegation had a series of meetings with US Admiral Thomas B. Fargo, Commander Pacific Command and many other senior flag rank officers including Admiral Walter Doran -Commander Pacific Fleet, General William Begert – Commander Pacific Air Force and Major General Craig Wheldon – Deputy Commander of the Pacific Army.

Ambassador Subasinghe, General William J. Begert (Commander U.S. Pacific Air Forces) and Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri,
Commander Sri Lanka Navy at the Honors Ceremony accorded by the Headquarters Pacific Air Forces

Pacific Command, situated at Camp H.M.Smith is responsible for more than 50 percent of earth’s surface, approximately 105 million square miles (nearly 169 million square kilometers). From the west coast of the US mainland to the east coast of Africa, including the states of Alaska and Hawaii. It encompasses nearly 60 percent of the world’s population and includes 43 countries (including Sri Lanka), 20 territories and possessions and 10 US territories.

U.S. armed forces conduct joint training exercises with their Sri Lankan counterparts as a regular feature with Exercise BALANCE STYLE being the largest. Port calls by US naval vessels have become frequent. In March 2003, the US announced the transfer of the US Coast Guard Cutter “Courageous” to the Sri Lankan Navy.

Pacific Command is also home to the Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies (APCSS) which provides academic training to over 20 senior Armed Forces and Police officers from Sri Lanka on an annual basis. Invited to deliver a speech at this prestigious institution, the Ambassador spoke on “Securing Peace in a Troubled World : The Case of Sri Lanka and its Quest for Peace”. The speech which was well received, traced the roots of the conflict in Sri Lanka and the progress made in the peace process underwritten by the US and international community.

The visit also focused on current and future mutual co-operation and training with US Armed Forces and covered other related issues.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington DC
USA

18 June 2003