Top level US delegation in town for defence talks

• Led by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Jedidiah Royal
• He oversees security spanning China, Taiwan and Mongolia; East Asia; South and South East Asia; and Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia

By Kelum Bandara and Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

A top level US defense delegation led by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah Royal is in Sri Lanka for discussions with key security officials on matters related to regional security , reforms in Sri Lankan military and maritime domain awareness, Daily Mirror learns. 

   The delegation, comprising high-level US defence officials, arrived in the country on two special aircraft of the United States Air Force Tuesday night at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).  

It was reported that the security in and out of the airport and its surrounding areas had been tightened during the last few days due to the arrival of the US delegation. 
The delegation arrived at the BIA aboard two Boeing  C-17 Globemaster III special aircraft. An official of the Airport said that this visit was a top level defence discussion. The delegation was escorted to Colombo from the BIA amidst tight security and the lane towards Colombo at the Colombo - Katunayake Expressway had been closed for traffic during their arrival.
The defence delegation will hold talks with Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne and other key officials today.   

Jedidiah P. Royal, a career member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs. He oversees IPSA’s extensive portfolio – spanning China, Taiwan and Mongolia; East Asia; South and South East Asia; and Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia – and works across the national security enterprise to synchronize IPSA activities with foreign policy objectives.  

The US is a key player in the Indo-Pacific region and a member of the Quad group of countries. India, Japan and Australia are other members of this group which primarily focus on containing China’s aggressive incursion into the region. Sri Lanka is strategically positioned in the Indian Ocean with these countries including China seeking enhanced ties. 

• The defence delegation will hold talks with Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne and other key officials today
• The delegation was escorted to Colombo from the BIA amidst tight security