Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

Commanding Officer of the “USS Anchorage” welcomes Defence Secretary on board

January 20, 2023

Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne visited the United States Navy Ship ‘USS Anchorage’ at the Colombo harbour today (Jan 20).

The ship’s Commanding Officer Captain KEELER, D.J. warmly received the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary on his arrival and accompanied him on a tour inside the ship.

A cross section of Cadets representing the National Cadet Corps (NCC) was also present during the session to visit the foreign Navy ship.

‘USS Anchorage’ arrived in Sri Lanka on Thursday (Jan 19) to take part in the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Exercise -2023 (CARAT–2023).

The visiting US ship will conduct exercises with the Sri Lanka Navy Ships “Gajabahu” and “Samudura” before departing the island on the 27th.

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy Douglas Sonnek, Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva, Military Liaison Officer of the Defence Ministry  Maj. Gen. Dinesh Nanayakkara, Director NCC Brig. Sudantha Fonseka, US Defence Attaché Seth Nevins, Officers of the Sri Lanka Navy, US Embassy Officials and Crew of the ‘USS Anchorage’ were present during the visit.