Opening a new chapter in bilateral maritime cooperation, the Sri Lanka Navy and the United States Navy officially commenced the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2026 — widely known as CARAT 2026 — in Sampoor, Trincomalee, on July 27, 2026. The landmark exercise signals a continued commitment between the two naval forces to enhance interoperability, strengthen regional maritime security, and build lasting professional relationships across the Indo-Pacific region.
The opening ceremony was held under the distinguished patronage of the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy and Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Buddhika Liyanagamage, whose presence underscored the strategic significance of the exercise for Sri Lanka's naval establishment. Senior officers from both the Sri Lanka Navy and the United States Navy attended the ceremony, marking the formal beginning of what promises to be a comprehensive and mutually beneficial training program.
What Is CARAT and Why Does It Matter?
The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training exercise, commonly referred to as CARAT, is a long-standing series of bilateral naval exercises conducted annually by the United States Navy in partnership with partner nations across South and Southeast Asia. Since its inception, CARAT has served as a vital platform for participating navies to sharpen their maritime skills, exchange best practices, and develop the kind of seamless coordination that is essential during real-world maritime operations.
For Sri Lanka, participation in CARAT represents a meaningful opportunity to engage with one of the world's most advanced naval forces. The exercises typically cover a broad range of maritime disciplines, including surface warfare, diving and salvage operations, maritime patrol and reconnaissance, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and search and rescue operations. Each edition of CARAT is designed to challenge participants and push the boundaries of their collective capabilities, ensuring that both navies are better prepared to respond to a wide array of maritime scenarios.
Strategic Location: Sampoor, Trincomalee
The choice of Sampoor in Trincomalee as the host location for CARAT 2026 is deeply significant. Trincomalee is home to one of the finest natural harbors in Asia and has historically been regarded as a critical maritime hub in the Indian Ocean region. Its strategic position along major shipping lanes makes it an ideal setting for naval exercises of this magnitude.
The Eastern Naval Area, commanded by Rear Admiral Buddhika Liyanagamage, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding Sri Lanka's eastern maritime boundaries. Hosting CARAT 2026 in this region not only highlights the operational importance of the Eastern Naval Area but also reinforces Sri Lanka's commitment to maintaining a secure and stable maritime environment in its surrounding waters. The selection of Sampoor as the exercise venue demonstrates thoughtful planning by both navies, ensuring that the training environment closely mirrors real-world operational conditions in the region.
Strengthening US-Sri Lanka Naval Ties
The commencement of CARAT 2026 builds upon a foundation of growing defense cooperation between the United States and Sri Lanka. Over recent years, the two countries have steadily expanded their security partnership, with naval cooperation forming a cornerstone of this relationship. Joint exercises like CARAT provide tangible benefits that go beyond the training floor — they foster trust, improve communication protocols, and create personal and institutional bonds between naval professionals that endure long after the exercises conclude.
From the United States' perspective, CARAT aligns closely with its broader Indo-Pacific strategy, which emphasizes the importance of working with partner nations to uphold a free, open, and rules-based maritime order. Sri Lanka's geographic position at the crossroads of vital Indian Ocean trade routes makes it a particularly valuable partner in this strategic framework. For Sri Lanka, the exercise offers access to advanced training methodologies, cutting-edge equipment demonstrations, and the professional expertise of the United States Navy — all of which contribute directly to the Sri Lanka Navy's ongoing modernization and capacity-building efforts.
What to Expect From CARAT 2026
CARAT 2026 is expected to encompass both shore-based and at-sea training components, offering participants a well-rounded experience that combines classroom instruction with practical, hands-on exercises in open water. Subject matter expert exchanges will allow naval professionals from both sides to share knowledge across a variety of technical and tactical disciplines. Medical, engineering, and operational teams are all expected to participate, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the exercise program.
Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training is anticipated to feature prominently in this year's edition, given the region's vulnerability to natural disasters and the critical role that navies play in emergency response operations. Additionally, diving operations, small boat handling, and communications interoperability drills are expected to form key components of the at-sea phase.
A Promising Start to 2026
As CARAT 2026 gets underway in the scenic coastal setting of Sampoor, Trincomalee, both the Sri Lanka Navy and the United States Navy have expressed optimism about the outcomes of this year's exercise. The event represents not just a training milestone but a reaffirmation of the enduring partnership between two nations committed to maritime security, regional stability, and the shared values that underpin their naval cooperation. With strong leadership, clear objectives, and a robust training agenda, CARAT 2026 is well-positioned to deliver meaningful results for both participating navies and the broader region.