News
US, SL launch PACIFIC ANGEL 25 exercise to enhance disaster response
The United States and Sri Lanka officially yesterday (8) launched PACIFIC ANGEL (Pac Angel) 25 at Katunayake Air Base, with U.S. Defense Attaché Lt. Col. Matthew House joining Sri Lanka Air Force leaders to open the exercise. The five-day multilateral program, running from September 8–12, brings together nearly 90 U.S. and 120 Sri Lanka Air Force personnel, along with participants and observers from Australia, Bangladesh, India, Japan, and Maldives, to strengthen disaster response and save lives. Training focuses on search and rescue, medical readiness, air safety, and engineering cooperation. Supported by two U.S. C-130J aircraft and Sri Lanka’s Bell 412, B-212 helicopter, and King Air 350, Pac Angel 25 builds the teamwork and trust needed for faster, stronger responses to real-world crises.
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung commenting on the exercise noted that, “PACIFIC ANGEL 25 is the largest multilateral exercise hosted in Sri Lanka this year, and we are proud to welcome participants from Australia, Bangladesh, India, Japan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and the United States. This exercise shows how our nations are working side-by-side to prepare for real-world challenges—from disaster response to humanitarian crises. As Indo-Pacific partners, we safeguard security and open commerce, and exercises like Pac Angel strengthen our ability to face challenges together to protect the peace and stability on which our region depends.”
U.S. Defense Attaché to Sri Lanka Lt. Col. Matthew House welcomed participants on behalf of the United States, highlighting the practical impact of the exercise: “Pac Angel is more than just an exercise; it is about forging real-world cooperation with our allies and partners that enables rapid, coordinated responses to crises. By training together, we strengthen trust, deter threats, and ensure that when disaster strikes, we can respond swiftly and effectively. What we build together today is a foundation for tomorrow’s shared security.”
Members of the South Asian Journalists Forum have gathered at the University of New Delhi for a two day conference themed ‘Peace and Co-operation’.
Journalists from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are attending the conference hosted by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the India Chapter of SJF, and will deliberate on how the media can act as a catalyst for regional stability and mutual coexsistence.
A tree plantation campaign was also held at the Ghandi Bhawan premises of the University to mark the event and symbolize growing regional ties.
The Sri Lanka delegation is led by President of SJF’s Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.
The Governor of the of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursdy [February 05] at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the arrangements related to the exposition of the Devnimori Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought to Sri Lanka under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India.
These sacred relics of Lord Buddha were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Until now, these relics had never been taken outside India. As a result of discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka have been granted this rare opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.
The exposition of the relics is being held for a period of seven days, from February 05 to February 11, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo. Discussions were held between both parties regarding the arrangements related to this event.
The discussion was attended by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture; Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; along with several others.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.
Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.
During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.
The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.
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