US Navy concludes Pacific Partnership mission in Sri Lanka

The US Navy detachment which had been based in the Hambantota district for the past two weeks as part of the US Navy's Pacific Partnership 2017, has concluded their mission and are scheduled to leave the country today.

The detachment arrived at the Magampura Port in Hambantota on March 7 onboard the transport vessel USNS Fall River. Since then, the US Navy's civil engineers, with assistance from the Sri Lanka Navy, had been engaged in various reconstruction projects in the Hambantota district. These projects included reconstruction work at the Ambalantota Hospital, pre-schools, as well as numerous clinics for mothers and children.

Upon completion of the reconstruction activities at the Ambalantota Hospital, staff members held a function in honor of the US Navy detachment.

Sri Lanka is the first stop in South Asia for the USNS Fall River on its Pacific Partnership mission. 

A special ceremony is being held today at the Magampura Port to farewell the vessel and its crew. 

Story and Pix by Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi in Hambantota 

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