Japan has formally launched military grant aid to Sri Lanka, marking a significant expansion of its security cooperation with Colombo by providing surveillance drones to the Sri Lankan navy.
An exchange of notes took place in Tokyo on 29 September between Japanese ambassador Akio Isomata and Sri Lanka’s foreign minister Vijitha Herath, in the presence of Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba and Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The deal, worth 500 million yen (around one billion rupees), will see Japan supply two types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) manufactured in Japan. The drones are to be used for “monitoring, surveillance and disaster relief,” according to a statement from the Japanese embassy.
“Japan’s first OSA [Official Security Assistance] for Sri Lanka signifies that bilateral cooperation in security has entered a new phase,” the embassy added. Launched in 2023, OSA is a grant framework distinct from Japan’s traditional Official Development Assistance (ODA), allowing armed forces in recipient states to obtain military equipment.
At a joint press conference, Prime Minister Ishiba described Sri Lanka’s location in the Indian Ocean as “extremely important,” adding that “the stability and development of Sri Lanka… is indispensable for the peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.” Dissanayake expressed gratitude for Japan’s support, pledging commitment to a “peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region.”
PM Ishiba: “I met with President Disanayaka of Sri Lanka🇱🇰. We will further deepen and expand our ‘Comprehensive Partnership’ through initiatives such as Japan’s provision of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (1/2) pic.twitter.com/96e0D0KMSL
— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) September 29, 2025
The announcement comes as Sri Lanka continues to court strategic partners amid its debt crisis and heightened scrutiny at the UN Human Rights Council over accountability for wartime atrocities. Japan’s decision to provide defence hardware to Colombo underscores Tokyo’s interest in securing maritime routes across the Indian Ocean, but also raises concerns given the Sri Lankan navy’s record of abuses against Tamil civilians during the armed conflict and ongoing militarisation across the North-East.
Alongside the military package, Japan also pledged 464 million yen in grant aid to support Sri Lanka’s dairy sector, including the provision of laboratory equipment and technical support in the Northern, Eastern, North Central, North Western and Central provinces.