US, SL conclude naval exercise

the Mini CARAT 2024 exercise, conducted by the navies of the US and Sri Lanka, ended successfully on Friday (26), the Navy said yesterday.

The Mini Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) bilateral exercise 2024 between the United States Pacific Fleet and the SL Navy commenced on April 22 and was held at the Marine Headquarters, Special Boat Squadron Headquarters, Naval Dockyard and Upparu in Trincomalee as well as certain segments at the Lighthouse Galley in Colombo.

The closing ceremony of the bilateral exercise was held at the Marines Headquarters in Sampoor, under the auspices of Commander Sean Jin, Office of Defence Cooperation at the US Embassy in Colombo and Captain Upul Samarakoon, Acting Director Sri Lanka Navy Marines. Mementoes were also exchanged, signifying the importance of this occasion.

During the Force Protection exercise in CARAT, activities included rescuing hostages, handling arrested individuals, tracking, weapon handling, showcasing native plants of Sri Lanka, handling snakes, conducting exercises with Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS), Explosive Ordnance Disposal exercises (EOD), and firing exercises.

On the side lines of Mini CARAT – 2024, a seminar on Women, Peace and Security was also held at the Lighthouse Galley in Colombo.