The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Navy officially opened a state-of-the-art English Language Lab at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee on Monday (15).
The cutting-edge facility was inaugurated by Lieutenant Colonel Matthew House, Senior Defence Official at the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, Rear Admiral Dammika Wijewardana, Director General for Training of the Sri Lanka Navy and Commodore Dinesh Bandara, Commandant of the Sri Lanka Naval and Maritime Academy.
Equipped with advanced multimedia technology and the latest training software from the U.S. Defence Language Institute, the English Language Lab will provide the Sri Lanka Navy personnel with the tools to master English —the common language of international naval operation, exercises, and training.
Speaking at the ceremony in Trincomalee on Monday, Lt. Col. Matthew House reflected on the origins: “This project began with a request from the Sri Lanka Navy in 2020, and together we persisted through challenges to make it a reality. Today, we open a state-of-the-art lab equipped with the latest technology and English learning tools from the U.S. Defense Language Institute. The English Language Lab is more than a classroom — it is a symbol of our shared commitment with Sri Lanka to build future capacity and ensure that what we create together today secures the peace of tomorrow. Language is more than communication; it is connection. By speaking the same language, we deepen trust, coordination, and understanding between our forces, building bridges not just between militaries, but between nations.”
This new facility underscores how U.S.–Sri Lanka defence ties extend beyond hardware to focus on the development of future leaders. The English Language Lab will be used to strengthen the skills of Sri Lanka Navy personnel, enabling them to train, exercise, and operate more effectively alongside U.S. and regional partners. From investing in ports to investing in people, Indo-Pacific ties demonstrate our shared commitment to a more secure and connected future. (Newswire)
