COLOMBO, June 23 -- The United States on Tuesday (23) formally transferred 10 American-made TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), significantly enhancing the country's pilot training, search-and-rescue capabilities, and maritime security operations.

The handover ceremony was held at Ratmalana Air Force Base and was attended by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur, and Commander of the US Pacific Air Forces, General Kevin Schneider.

The helicopters, manufactured in Texas and based on the Bell 206 platform, were provided under the United States' Excess Defence Articles (EDA) program. Previously used by the US Navy for pilot training ...