Japan Powers Sri Lanka’s Disaster Readiness with Doppler Radar & Digital TV Upgrade

COLOMBO (News 1st); Japan is stepping up its partnership with Sri Lanka through a series of high-impact projects aimed at strengthening disaster resilience, digital infrastructure, and maritime security. 

Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Akio Isomata, outlined these initiatives at the A-PAD International Symposium 2025, highlighting the breadth of bilateral cooperation.

Among the key projects is the installation of Doppler radars in Puttalam, funded through Japanese grant assistance, to enhance Sri Lanka’s meteorological forecasting and early warning capabilities. 

Complementing this, a year-long project to digitalize terrestrial television broadcasting is underway, which includes a built-in emergency alert system designed to improve public safety during crises.

On the security front, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces are working closely with Sri Lanka’s military to build capacity for search and rescue operations, with specialized training programs for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief scheduled early next year. 

These programs will also cover aerial medical evacuation, a critical component in disaster response.

Ambassador Isomata noted that the partnership reached a new milestone during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to Japan in September, when the two governments signed an agreement to provide unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the Sri Lankan Navy. The UAVs, supplied under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) scheme, will bolster maritime surveillance and disaster response capabilities.