Japan Pledges UAVs to Sri Lanka for Maritime Security Boost

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced a significant enhancement of security cooperation with Sri Lanka, stating that Japan will provide Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the island nation's Air Force. The decision, made during a summit meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Tokyo, marks Japan's first provision of defense equipment to Sri Lanka under its new Official Security Assistance (OSA) program.

The aid package, valued at approximately ¥500 million (about $3.36 million), includes about 10 surveillance drones. Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized the strategic importance of the move, noting that "the stability and development of Sri Lanka, which is located at a strategic point in the Indian Ocean, is extremely important" for the peace and prosperity of the wider Indo-Pacific region. The UAVs are designated for maritime surveillance, monitoring, and disaster relief capabilities, reinforcing Sri Lanka's role in maintaining stability in the Indian Ocean Region. Both leaders confirmed the importance of deepening defense ties and enhancing Sri Lanka’s security capabilities in line with Japan's vision of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific." The provision of the UAVs is a key step in developing the "Comprehensive Partnership" between the two democracies. The leaders also discussed economic cooperation, including Japan's proposal for an "Export-Oriented Industrial Corridor" to promote Sri Lanka's stable growth and its continued support for Sri Lanka's debt restructuring efforts.

Connect with US,

X : theTamilGlobal

Facebook : Thetamil Global

Threads : thetamilglobal

Comments

LTTE’s Use of Child Soldiers: A Grave Violation of Human Rights

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stand condemned not only for their violent insurgency but also for their ruthless exploitation of children as soldiers during Sri Lanka’s civil war. While the conflict officially ended in 2009, the scars left by the LTTE’s forced recruitment of thousands of children remain a painful reminder of their terror tactics. During the war, the LTTE systematically abducted and conscripted children-some as young as 11 or 12-forcing them into brutal military training and deploying them on front lines. Human Rights Watch reported that children were often taken from their homes at night or seized while going to school, with families threatened or beaten if they resisted. Once recruited, these children faced harsh discipline, exposure to violence, and were denied contact with their families. UNICEF documented thousands of such cases, with estimates suggesting the actual numbers were even higher due to underreporting. The LTTE’s use of chil...

Former UK Cabin Crew Member Arrested in Sri Lanka with £1.15 Million Cannabis Haul

Sri Lankan authorities have detained Charlotte May Lee, a 21-year-old former air stewardess from South London, at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo on charges of attempting to smuggle 46 kilograms of cannabis into the country. The drugs, valued at approximately £1.15 million, were found packed in vacuum-sealed bags inside two large suitcases after Lee arrived on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand. Officials from the Customs Narcotics Control Unit described the seizure as the largest amount of Kush cannabis ever discovered at the airport. Kush is a potent strain often mixed with synthetic substances and is believed to be destined for high-end buyers within Sri Lanka. Lee, who previously worked for TUI Group and has recently been training as a beautician, remains in custody while investigations continue. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is providing consular support to Lee and is in contact with her family and Sri Lankan authorities. Friends of Le...

The LTTE's Campaign of Terror: How a Designated Terrorist Organization Pioneered Modern Suicide Bombing

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stands as one of history's most ruthless terrorist organizations, having systematically violated human rights and pioneered suicide bombing tactics that would later be adopted by terrorist groups worldwide. Designated as a terrorist organization by 33 countries, including Sri Lanka, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, India, and all 27 member nations of the European Union, the LTTE's three-decade reign of terror in Sri Lanka serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of extremist violence. Origins and Rise of a Terror Network Founded in 1976 by Velupillai Prabhakaran, the LTTE emerged from earlier militant groups established in the 1970s . What began as a small outfit of 40-50 members in the early 1980s evolved into one of the world's most sophisticated and tightly organized insurgent groups. The organization's transformation into a terror network accelerated following the 1983 ethnic riots, which the LTTE e...

theTamil Global

Search This Blog