The US military has resumed training exercises with Sri Lanka's navy after suspending the cooperation while the previous government was in power, The Island reported.
The US Navy’s Sea, Air and Land Forces – commonly known as SEALs – are taking part in the exercise, which involve the elite Special Boat Squadron (SBS) and Fast Attack Craft (FAC) flotilla off the coast of Trincomalee in the North-East of the island. According to the paper, the navy headquarters confirmed the resumption of exercises with the US.
Sri Lanka was included by the US in a project called Extended Relations Programme (ERP) during then-president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s administration.
China is also currently engaged in military exercises with Sri Lanka.
See links below for more.
Sri Lanka commences joint ground military training exercise with China (22 June 2015)
Engaging in militarisation - Editorial (24 August 2013)
US - SL military engineers do DIY in Jaffna (13 August 2013)
US and Sri Lanka Armed Forces engage in training (13 July 2013)
Sri Lankan General barred from US military training (26 January 2013)
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