The official handover of ten TH-57 Sea Ranger multi-purpose helicopters donated by the United States government to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) took place on Monday (23) at the Ratmalana Air Force Base under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the helicopters are expected to significantly enhance the Air Force’s pilot training capabilities and expand its operational capacity across a range of missions.
Upon his arrival at the Ratmalana Air Force Base, President Dissanayake was accorded a ceremonial welcome with Air Force honours. The President later inspected the newly received aircraft and joined Air Force personnel for a commemorative group photograph.
A bilateral agreement relating to the transfer of the helicopters was also signed during the event by Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, and Commander of the United States Pacific Air Forces, General Kevin Schneider.
The PMD noted that the versatile TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters are expected to be deployed for a wide range of operational roles, including pilot training, disaster relief operations, search and rescue missions, and emergency public service activities.
The aircraft will also be utilized for training aircrew participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions, further strengthening Sri Lanka’s contribution to international peacekeeping operations.
The helicopters arrived in Sri Lanka on June 1 through a specialized cargo operation from the United States. Following their arrival, the aircraft were assembled by the Air Engineering Wing at the Ratmalana Air Force Base.
According to the PMD, the helicopters will be formally integrated into operational service after completing all required technical inspections, testing procedures, and evaluation flights to ensure compatibility with Sri Lanka’s airspace and environmental conditions.
Among those present at the ceremony were Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), and Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Gunathilake.
Also in attendance were members of the Air Force Board of Management, senior Air Force officers, and a delegation from the United States Embassy, including Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Dr. Paul Kapur, Chargé d’Affaires Jayne Howell, Senior Defence Official and Defence Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Matthew House, and several other senior officials.
The donation reflects the continuing defence cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United States and is expected to contribute significantly to enhancing the operational readiness and training capabilities of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
