State flag of Montana flown over the state capital in Helena in honour of Sri Lanka Embassy

A delegation from the US State of Montana called on Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe on 31 October. 

The delegation headed by State Partnership Program Director Major Christopher Cory, handed over a flag of the State and a certificate addressed to the Embassy of Sri Lanka, signed by Governor of Montana, Greg Gianforte, in acknowledgement of and expressing appreciation for Sri Lanka’s cooperation under the program. 

The ongoing cooperation with Sri Lanka is focused on technical advice and training delivered by the Montana National Guard/Air National Guard in the areas of technical training and education for the military in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) and other activities under Subject Matter Expert Exchange program.

Ambassador Samarasinghe, during his meeting with Governor Gianforte, conveyed Sri Lanka’s gratitude for the assistance already provided by the State of Montana and expressed the expectation that expansion into further areas of cooperation under the State Partnership Program would be possible. Such broadening would encompass the commercial, trade and investment, tourism, education and skills training and cultural spheres. 

He briefed the delegation on Sri Lanka comparative advantages, including skilled human resources, a developed IT sector and infrastructure that could support such cooperation. Sri Lanka is also very interested in developing links that will help grow the renewable energy sector, he added. The state of Montana is a leader in renewable energy in the US.

The Ambassador also invited the Governor to undertake a visit to Sri Lanka in the near future with a view to assessing the potential for new and expanded cooperation. Through the State Partnership Program (SPP), the National Guard conducts military-to-military engagements in support of defence security goals but also leverages whole-of-society relationships and capabilities to facilitate broader interagency and corollary engagements spanning military, government, economic and social spheres.