Japan Grants ¥500 Mn to Sri Lanka for High-Tech UAVs

COLOMBO (News 1st); Japan and Sri Lanka took a major step in strengthening their strategic partnership with the signing of a ¥500 million grant under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework.

The agreement was formalized in Tokyo by Japanese Ambassador Isomata Akio and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, in the presence of Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The grant will fund the provision of advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the Sri Lanka Navy for maritime surveillance and disaster relief operations.

The UAVs, manufactured in Japan, are expected to significantly enhance Sri Lanka’s security capabilities, safeguard vital sea lanes in the Indian Ocean, and strengthen regional stability.

Sri Lanka occupies a critical position along key maritime routes connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Both nations have been expanding security cooperation under their Comprehensive Partnership, and this OSA initiative marks a milestone in that effort.

The OSA framework provides defense-related equipment, infrastructure, and capacity-building support to partner nations, aiming to bolster security and deterrence capabilities while contributing to international peace and stability.