A virtual meeting between the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C. and a delegation of Montana business leaders, facilitated by the Montana National Guard (MTNG), was held on September 24, 2025. The discussion focused primarily on potential collaboration in Sri Lanka’s graphite mining sector.
Professor Kusali Gamage, Professor in Geosciences, delivered a presentation on behalf of the Montana side. She highlighted the significant untapped potential in Sri Lanka’s graphite industry, emphasizing that Sri Lankan graphite, globally recognized for its exceptional purity, is still exported with minimal value addition and through traditional mining methods. She stressed that introducing advanced technologies and value-added processing could greatly enhance the industry’s profitability and competitiveness.
Professor Gamage also announced plans to lead a delegation of 15–20 U.S.-based graphite researchers to Sri Lanka in April 2026 for a Graphite Mining Summit. As part of this initiative, a landmark five-day graphite workshop will be held at the University of Peradeniya from April 27 to May 1, 2026. The program will bring together experts from Sri Lanka and the United States to share knowledge, conduct field visits, and explore research and development opportunities at the country’s renowned vein graphite mines in Bogala, Kahatagaha, and Ragedara.
His Excellency, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka, underscored the favorable tariff environment between the U.S. and Sri Lanka, as well as the strong bilateral relationship currently in place. He noted that this creates a significant opportunity for Montana businesses to explore a wide range of investment opportunities across multiple sectors in Sri Lanka. The Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to supporting these partnerships and promoting foreign direct investment.
The successful State Partnership Program (SPP), launched in 2022 between the Montana National Guard and the Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka, has already delivered substantial benefits. It has facilitated specialized training for the Sri Lankan Armed Forces in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defense, and other critical areas. The growing partnership has also been strengthened through high-level exchanges, including reciprocal visits by senior military and government officials, as well as joint initiatives in fields such as medical operations and aviation maintenance.
Furthering academic and cultural ties, the University of Montana and the Central & Southwest Asia Institute invited the Ambassador to participate in presentations, panel discussions, and deliver a keynote address at the Central & Southwest Asia Summit in Montana, scheduled for April 1–2, 2026. Additionally, the MTNG will coordinate meetings between the Ambassador, the Governor of Montana, and senior business executives of the state.
The meeting on September 24, 2025, was co-facilitated by Major Chris Corey, State Partnership Program Director of the MTNG, and His Excellency Mahinda Samarasinghe, Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States. The Sri Lankan side was represented by Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Maduka Wickramarachchi, Minister of Commerce Mr. Nalinda Wijerathne, and Defence Adviser Commodore Dumindu Abeywickrama. The Montana delegation included Mr. B.G. Moreni, Mr. Ben Coloneli (CEO, Ochroma Group), Mr. Alastair Smith (Founder and Energy Consultant, NextGen), and Professor Kusali Gamage.
