Japan Grants Rs. 2.1 Billion to Strengthen Sri Lanka Navy's Maritime Security Capabilities

Japan has agreed to provide grant assistance worth approximately Rs. 2.1 billion (one billion Japanese yen) to strengthen the maritime safety and security capabilities of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The exchange of notes for the grant assistance took place on 10 November between Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata and Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha, was also present at the signing ceremony.

The grant, valued at one billion Japanese yen (approximately Rs. 2.106 billion), is being provided under Japan's Official Security Assistance (OSA) scheme for the 2026 financial year.

Under this assistance programme, Japan will provide funding for the procurement of Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) for the Sri Lanka Navy.

The boats are expected to strengthen the Navy's maritime safety and security capabilities, particularly in monitoring, surveillance and responding to disasters and emergencies at sea.

The assistance is also expected to enhance the Sri Lanka Navy's capacity to carry out maritime security and law enforcement operations.

This is the second project undertaken for Sri Lanka under Japan's Official Security Assistance scheme.

Under the first project, agreed upon last year, the procurement of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for the Sri Lanka Navy is currently being processed.

The UAVs are also expected to enhance the Navy's monitoring, surveillance and disaster relief capabilities.

Launched by the Japanese Government in 2023, the OSA scheme is a grant-based cooperation framework designed to strengthen the security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries.

Japan's assistance to Sri Lanka is based on its vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).

In May this year, the Japanese Government announced an updated FOIP vision, highlighting the importance of strengthening autonomy and resilience across economic, social and security sectors to address an increasingly complex global environment.

Commenting on the latest assistance, Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata said that Japan and Sri Lanka were both island nations sharing the Indo-Pacific region, with considerable potential for further cooperation, particularly in maritime security.

He reaffirmed Japan's commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in strengthening its capacity to independently undertake security and law enforcement functions while playing a proactive role in upholding the rule of law across the Indo-Pacific region.