- To strengthen the relationship, India handed over a substitute Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to Sri Lanka.
- The aircraft was handed over by High Commissioner to the Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President celebrating 77th Independence Day.
- The India-made Dornier is the second such aircraft to be deployed with SLAF on lease under a Government of India grant.
- It replaces the first Indian Navy Dornier aircraft which returned to India for scheduled maintenance after one year of service since its ceremonial handing over to Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe exactly one year ago, on August 15, 2022.
