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Two elder U.S. officials, including Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kevin Schneider, person arrived successful Sri Lanka connected abstracted visits focused connected defence, information and economical practice amid Washington's increasing engagement with the strategically located Indian Ocean nation, officials said connected Monday (June 22, 2026).
Mr. Schneider arrived successful Sri Lanka connected Sunday (June 21) for a three-day sojourn ending June 24, the U.S. Embassy successful Colombo said.
Separately, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur besides arrived successful Colombo connected Sunday (June 21) for a three-day visit, it said.
The high-profile visits presume value successful the backdrop of increasing geopolitical contention successful the Indian Ocean region, wherever China has expanded its infrastructure investments and maritime footprint successful caller years.
The U.S. has been seeking to deepen defence, information and economical engagement with countries successful the region, including Sri Lanka, arsenic portion of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
According to the U.S. mission, during his visit, Mr. Schneider volition conscionable elder Sri Lankan Government and defence officials, including leaders of the Defence Ministry and the Sri Lanka Air Force.
"Discussions volition absorption connected expanded practice crossed aerial and maritime domain awareness, cybersecurity, catastrophe response, and determination security," it said.
Mr. Schneider oversees each U.S. Air Force unit and assets crossed the Indo-Pacific region.
The embassy described the sojourn arsenic reflecting the "growing spot of the U.S.-Sri Lanka defence partnership” and the "latest milestone successful an expanding bilateral narration built connected associated exercises, subject exchanges, and accordant senior-level dialogue".
"The United States recognises Sri Lanka arsenic an indispensable spouse successful the corporate effort to sphere peace, security, and prosperity crossed the region,” it said.
Meanwhile, during his stay, Mr. Kapur is scheduled to conscionable elder Sri Lankan leaders to sermon information practice and determination issues.
He volition besides clasp talks with private-sector executives and representatives of U.S. companies connected expanding bilateral commercialized and concern ties.
“The sojourn reflects President Donald Trump's committedness to strengthening partnerships that beforehand American prosperity and security, portion deepening practice with Sri Lanka arsenic a cardinal Indian Ocean partner,” the embassy said.
