Disaster management officials from the United States and Sri Lanka have met in Galle from June 16 until today (18) for a three-day workshop focused on strengthening preparedness for natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies.

Organized by the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka in partnership with U.S. Pacific Command’s Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM), the Montana National Guard, the Montana Disaster and Emergency Services (DES), and Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre, the workshop builds on the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding between Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defense and the Montana National Guard, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo said. 

The expert-led workshop culminated in a tabletop exercise designed to test coordination during a realistic emergency scenario.

The exercise challenged participants to respond to evolving disaster conditions, coordinate resources, manage public communications, and make critical decisions under pressure, the statement said. 

Drawing on lessons learned from recent disasters, including Cyclone Ditwah, the workshop provided an opportunity for Sri Lankan agencies to exchange practical approaches to the development of coordinated crisis response plans, interagency coordination, and disaster preparedness, it added. 

The Montana National Guard with members of the Montana Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) bring extensive real-world experience from their roles as emergency response organizations across the U.S. state of Montana. 

Montana Guard personnel and DES emergency management specialists play a leading role in disaster response, mobilizing to help their communities affected by wildfires, floods, severe winter storms, and other disasters, providing planning, logistics, communications, aviation support, and emergency coordination. 

Through its partnership with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defense, the Montana National Guard and MT DES share these lessons and best practices to help strengthen preparedness and response capabilities before disasters strike, the statement said. 

Participants included representatives from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Sri Lanka Police, Department of Civil Security, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands & Irrigation, Ministry of Power and Energy, Ministry of Environment,and the Ministry of Local Government. 

Through hands-on planning and scenario-based exercises, participants strengthened coordination, sharpened response procedures, and improved preparedness for future emergencies, the statement added. 

The workshop underscored the importance of cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region, where effective disaster response helps protect communities, safeguard critical infrastructure and transportation networks, and reduce disruptions to economic activity.