Japan Grants 1 Billion Yen to Strengthen Sri Lanka Navy’s Maritime Security

Newswire and Newsfirst report that Japan is providing Sri Lanka with a 1 billion yen grant under its Official Security Assistance programme for fiscal 2026. Newswire gives the value as approximately 2.1 billion rupees, while Hiru News reports a figure of 2.08 billion rupees.

Newswire says the grant is intended to procure rigid-hull inflatable boats for the Sri Lanka Navy, to support maritime monitoring, surveillance and disaster response. Ada Derana describes the assistance as provision of surveillance boats, while Hiru News reports that it is for 25 patrol boats.

Newswire reports that the agreement was formalised on November 10 through an exchange of notes between Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata and Sri Lankan Treasury and Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma. Defence Ministry Secretary and retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha attended, according to Newswire.

Newswire says this is Japan’s second assistance project for Sri Lanka under the programme, launched in 2023 to build partner countries’ security capabilities. It reports that procurement of unmanned aerial vehicles under a first project agreed in 2025 is underway to assist the Navy’s surveillance, monitoring and disaster-relief work.

Newswire reports that Japan links the assistance to its Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision. It says Ambassador Isomata highlighted opportunities for maritime security cooperation between the two island nations and reaffirmed Japan’s support for Sri Lanka’s independent security and law-enforcement capabilities and regional rule of law.