The United States has concluded a training program for Sri Lankan port and military personnel under its International Counterproliferation Program (ICP) aimed at preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

The US embassy said in a statement a five-day workshop was done in Colombo for members of the Sri Lankan Ports Authority and Customs, Police, Navy, and Coast Guard to provide training on eliminating the proliferation of WMD.

“Led by U.S. military experts from the International Counterproliferation Program, the workshop covered themes such as border security, technology, and threat assessment,” it said.

“The program builds upon a strengthening U.S.-Sri Lankan partnership that includes enhanced cooperation in security in the Indian Ocean Region.”

The U.S. International Counterproliferation Programs aim to counter the threat of the proliferation of WMD-related materials and technologies like nuclear bombs across the borders and through the independent states of the former Soviet Union, the Baltic region and Eastern Europe.

ICP initiatives work toward setting up strong professional border and law enforcement personnel among the participating nations while supplying the necessary technical assistance.

It is run jointly by the U.S. Defense Department (DOD) in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other federal agencies.