The Japan-Lanka Friendship Association, with the generous support of Mr. Goto Hideaki and the crew, handed over two sky ladders and a fire engine, along with 13 scholarships for school children of SLAF serving personnel and a consignment of reading spectacles, to the Sri Lanka Air Force yesterday (22 May 2023) in a ceremonial procession at Air Force Headquarters. The delegation officially handed over the two sky ladders and a fire engine to the Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, on behalf of the Commander of the Air Force, during the colourful ceremony. The event was executed with meticulous arrangements and oversight by the Director General Air Operations, Air Vice Marshal Samapath Wickramaratne, while coordinated by the Chief Fire Officer, Group Captain Sanjaya Vithana.

In appreciation of the donation, a special cultural programme was held at the Air Force Headquarters auditorium, with the objective of making the day memorable for the Japanese delegation. The friendship between the Japan-Lanka Friendship Association and the Sri Lanka Air Force dates back to 2015 and has been strengthened by the generous donations of 10 Fire Vehicles, eight Ambulances, three Turntable Ladder Vehicles and one Fire Car.

The event was attended by Mr. Goto Hideaki and the delegation, Dr. Eranga Hasanthi, Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapakse, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Roshan Biyanvila, Members of the Air Force Board of Management, Acting Commanding Officer SLAF Station Colombo, Air Commodore Chaminda Wickremaratne, and a cross-section of officers, airmen and airwomen.