160329-N-IE405-010 COLOMBO, Sri Lanka Maritime Operations Center Director and Operations Assistant Chief of Staff for U.S. 7th Fleet Capt. Wesley Bannister and Director General Operation for Sri Lanka Navy Rear Adm. Dharmendra Wettewa delivers remarks during a welcome brief at the bilateral talks held aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). The U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. As the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build maritime partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability and prevent conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Indra Bosko/Released)