China and India have donated military hardware to the Government within two weeks that will help the island nation to enhance its defence capabilities both on land and at sea.
China on Tuesday provided the Army with 11 ‘Emergency Command and Communication System Vehicle Fleet’ (11 automobiles) valued at US$ 6.2 million.
These vehicles with ultra-modern communication devices have been originally designed for military purposes, the military said.
The Sri Lanka Army intends to deploy these highly-developed military automobiles for both internal security and special duties in future, an army spokesman said.
These vehicles with ultra-modern communication devices have been originally designed for military purposes, he said.
Acting Defence Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon accepted the vehicles on behalf of the Government during a event organised at the Army Headquarters on Tuesday.
The Indian Air Force gifted a Dornier 228 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to the Sri Lankan Air Force, with another aircraft to be provided within two years, the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) said.
The donation was in response to a request by the Government five years ago for two Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft from India to enhance the maritime surveillance capabilities of the country, the SLAF said.
“India (GOI) has agreed to provide one Dornier 228 Maritime Patrol Aircraft from its Indian Naval Fleet on gratis basis for an initial period of two years,” a spokesman for Air Force said.
“Thereafter, the Indian Government will provide a brand new Dornier 228 Maritime Patrol Aircraft free of charge”, he said.
Subsequently, another brand new Dornier 228 will be inducted to Sri Lanka Air Force through mutually agreed terms and conditions between both countries, he said.
The Dornier aircraft was donated to commemorate the 77th Independence Day of India.
Officials that the aircraft would act as a force multiplier, enabling Sri Lanka to tackle multiple challenges such as human and drug trafficking, smuggling and other organised forms of crime in its coastal waters more effectively.
India’s gift came a day before a high-tech Chinese missile and satellite tracking ship was scheduled to dock at the Hambantota Port
“Induction of the aircraft is timely in view of the current challenges to Sri Lanka’s maritime security,” the officials said.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka early next month where he will travel to the Eastern port city of Trincomalee where Delhi has embarked on strategic investments with the aim of establishing a pipeline linking the two countries for the transfer of petroleum products. He is expected to be in the country during the first week of September, the Sunday Observer reliably learns.