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Exercise Pacific Angel – 2025 concludes with refurbishment of Akaragama District Hospital
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Sri Lanka concluded “Exercise Pacific Angel – 2025”, held from September 8 to the 12 at Katunayake, with the participation of leading regional forces from five countries under the presence of the Sri Lanka Navy and Army. The exercises featured Subject Matter Expert Exchanges covering military operational expertise, as well as on-the-ground training at the SLAF Base Katunayake, giving participants hands-on skills to enhance regional coordination.
Additionally, it focused on enhancing capabilities in search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and overall “interoperability and knowledge-sharing among Indo-Pacific partners” as quoted by the Secretary of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd).
In addition to the presence of senior Sri Lankan military officials, including the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, the exercise was graced by the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, who was present at the closing ceremony.
Defence secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) with US Ambassador Julie Chung
“This exercise demonstrates how we prepare together for real world challenges, and how cooperation strengthens our collective ability” said Ms. Chung at the ceremony.
Later that day, the US Air Force and the Sri Lanka Air Force, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Health, unveiled a significant modernisation project of the Akaragama District Hospital.
With the hospital refurbishment costs totaling Rs. 40 million, with nearly Rs. 8.8 million-worth of essential medical equipment, the renovations would bring long-term benefits to the local community. The first phase was ceremonially attended by Ms. Chung following the conclusion of the military exercise.
Regional forces from five countries attended the exercise. Pix by Priyanka Samaraweera
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