Disaster management officials from the United States and Sri Lanka came together in Galle from June 16 to 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 MoU between Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defense and the Montana National Guard. 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. 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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.