The Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft, donated by the United States to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) will arrive in Sri Lanka next week. The U.S. Embassy said that funded by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Building Partner Capacity programme, this donation, which originated in 2019, is part of a long-term collaboration with the Sri Lanka Air Force.

This advanced aircraft is designed to enhance Sri Lanka’s capabilities in search and rescue operations, drug interdiction and combating trafficking and smuggling. It will also significantly improve the country’s maritime surveillance operations while reinforcing US-Sri Lanka defense cooperation.

This USD 19 million U.S. Government grant includes the aircraft and support services, all provided at no cost to the Sri Lanka Air Force. The Beechcraft King Air 360ER is equipped with cutting-edge technology to boost Sri Lanka’s ability to patrol its waters and address maritime threats.

Following a training and induction period, the official handover is expected to take place later this year. As part of the collaboration, U.S. government personnel will conduct a three-month training programme to ensure Sri Lanka Air Force personnel are fully equipped to operate and maintain the aircraft.

The aircraft, manufactured by Beechcraft Textron Aviation and completed in late 2022, underwent additional upgrades, including the installation of maritime patrol sensors like radar and cameras, finalized in mid-2024.

From June to August 2024, Sri Lankan Air Force personnel participated in training in Kansas and Florida to prepare for the aircraft's arrival, which is expected next week.

Once in Sri Lanka, the aircraft will undergo further training and integration at the Ratmalana Air Force base before joining Maritime Patrol Squadron 3 in China Bay, Trincomalee.

For the first time in Sri Lanka, the government is to establish a mechanism to supervise and advice ministries in the implementation of policies, a source said.

A tense situation was reported at the UNP party headquarters in Sirikotha when a group of UNP supporters arrived to hand over a document on reviving the party.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva said today that an NPP MP has told him that the Parliament canteen will not be closed but the government will see that no one will abuse the facility.

Two fishermen were seriously injured and hospitalised after a parcel floating on the sea exploded while they were checking it off the coast of Mannar.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Examinations Department have initiated a joint programme to mitigate potential disasters during the 2024 Advanced Level examinations.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka today. Following are 11 key points from the President’s Government Policy Statement;

Speaker Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala informed Parliament that nomination of Sajith Premadasa, leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has been accepted as the Opposition Leader of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Jaffna District Independent MP Archuuna Ramanathan refused to move away after he sat on the Opposition Leader's seat inside the chambers despite requests by Parliament staff to move.

National People's Power (NPP) Gampaha MP Dr. Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala was elected as the Speaker of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka a short while ago. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya proposed his name, and the nomination was confirmed by Vijitha Herath.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake adjourned the Sri Lankan Parliament until 9:30 a.m. on December 3. The adjournment followed the President’s delivery of the government’s policy statement during the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament earlier today.