Sri Lanka, June 24 -- The United States yesterday formally transferred ten American-made TH-57 Sea Ranger (Bell 206) helicopters to the Sri Lanka Air Force, delivering a major boost to the country's helicopter training programme, search-and-rescue capabilities, and the security of its air and maritime domains - a milestone that reflects the growing strength of the US-Sri Lanka defence partnership.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, US Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kevin Schneider, and US Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur presided over the event at Ratmalana Air Force Base.

The Texas-built helicopters - transferred under the US Excess Defence Articles (EDA) programme - were previously flown by the US Navy for pilot training...