Good afternoon!  And what a beautiful airplane we have in this hangar, and it is my pleasure to be here on behalf of the United States. Secretary of Defense Thuyacontha, thank you very much. It was wonderful to talk to you inside the airplane. To Air Marshal Rajapaksa, it’s a pleasure to meet with you today and Ambassador Chung who I had the pleasure to spend the day with. Welcome to all our distinguished representatives from the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Office of the Chief of Defense Staff.  

I’m excited to be here on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense for this aircraft transfer. Today’s ceremony is about much more than one aircraft.  It is about the relationship between Sri Lanka and the United States.  It is about our shared values and support for the rules-based international order.  

That order is based on values and ideals that have stabilized the world for generations.  It includes preventing the change of borders by force, maintaining freedom of the seas, and prohibitions against the use of weapons of mass destruction.  It is the common cause our allies and partners rally around.  



We advance a shared vision for an Indo-Pacific where all countries, regardless of size or strength, are secure in their sovereignty and free from coercion.  An Indo-Pacific where everyone plays by the same rules.  This shared vision underpins our strong network of professional militaries throughout the Indo-Pacific.  It is upheld resolutely by the United States Pacific Fleet and our multinational partners.  It drives us all to do more together.

The United States and Sri Lanka are doing more together as professional militaries than ever before.  Earlier this year, we saw Sri Lanka’s dedication to the rules-based order and regional security with your critical support to Operation Prosperity Guardian.  Sri Lanka recognized that events in and around the Red Sea were affecting our shared prosperity, and acted.  Drawing inspiration from her mighty namesake, SLNS Gajabahu fearlessly deployed to the Gulf of Oman to enforce freedom of the seas.  

That operation was successful.  It reinforced a multinational coalition that can and will prevail over any challenge.



In April, we completed the 29th iteration of CARAT Sri Lanka.  During that exercise, the Sailors and Marines of our two countries exchanged ideas and tactics, and strengthened our common bonds.  In July, we welcomed a contingent of Sri Lanka Marines to Hawaii for RIMPAC, which is the world’s largest maritime exercise.  

And just last month, I welcomed Rear Admiral Bonagoda to Hawaii for the Combined Force Maritime Component Commander Course, or CFMCC.  During CFMCC, we came together as Indo-Pacific military leaders to focus on current challenges.  We strengthened the relationships which empower us to prevail in the maritime domain. 

Today, we are growing our relationship with the Sri Lanka Air Force.

  

The Beechcraft King Air we transfer to Sri Lanka will bring key capabilities to the Sri Lanka Air Force.  It is equipped with cutting-edge technology, maritime patrol sensors, radar, and cameras.  This aircraft will enhance Sri Lanka’s capabilities in maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations, and maritime interdiction operations.  It will help combat trafficking and smuggling.  And it is just one part of a long-term collaboration between the United States and Sri Lanka, funded by the United States Department of Defense’s Building Partner Capacity program.  

In addition to the aircraft, we are also providing support services and training for Sri Lanka air force personnel to operate and maintain the aircraft.

This aircraft empowers Sri Lanka to continue to defend her sovereignty and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.  I am here to tell you that Sri Lanka is not alone in that effort.  Today’s aircraft transfer occurs in the context of historic levels of U.S. Pacific Fleet activity in the Indian Ocean with our allies and partners.

 
 
Those include Indian Ocean operations by our rotational Littoral Combat Ships in and around Singapore, our increased operations in the Bay of Bengal, and our increased operations in India and Western Australia also complement this effort.  We also recognize the broader significance of the Indian Ocean – a third of the world’s bulk cargo and two-thirds of global oil pass through its sea lanes.  Our combined activities in the Indian Ocean promote this free trade and shared prosperity, reinforced by the rules-based international order. 

As two like-minded democracies, and as brothers and sisters in arms, there is so much more we can do together to defend that order and preserve our free and open Indo-Pacific for future generations.  There is so much more we can do together to build on the momentum we have achieved in 2024.  Let this aircraft give wings to our bilateral relationship and lift us to new opportunities.  Thank you very much for the opportunity to be here to welcome this new aircraft, to spend time with my Sri Lankan counterparts. It’s a wonderful day. Thank you.