Montana Governor Holds Talks to Expand Trade and Defence Ties with Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st): Governor of the U.S. state of Montana, Greg Gianforte, has held talks with Sri Lankan government representatives on expanding cooperation in trade, industry, critical minerals and defence.

The discussions took place on October 9, the final day of his strategic trade mission to Sri Lanka.

He met Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe to explore opportunities in advanced manufacturing, investment and cooperation in Sri Lanka’s vein graphite industry.

Governor Gianforte also met Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara to discuss the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the Montana National Guard.

The talks focused on disaster-response training, maritime and air security, port resilience and further cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Governor Gianforte expressed condolences for the lives lost during Cyclone Ditwah and commended Sri Lanka’s response to the disaster.

He later met Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe to discuss expanding trade opportunities for Montana’s agricultural producers and potential partnerships in industrial hemp and Sri Lanka’s textile and apparel sector.

The meetings were part of a trade mission to India and Sri Lanka aimed at expanding markets for Montana businesses and strengthening economic and security ties.