Sri Lanka calls for foreign bids to purchase four helicopters

Sri Lanka will call for international tenders to buy four used Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) helicopters to prepare pilots for Peacekeeping Missions. Co-Cabinet spokesman Romesh Pathirana told reporters today July 9th President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on behalf of the Defense Ministry had sought approval from the Cabinet to make the purchase.

Pathirana said the SLAF currently trains Pilot Officers using two 1981 helicopters. “Currently, units of Sri Lankan Air Force are on peacekeeping missions in Sudan and Central Africa. It has been identified as a prime necessity to train and assign new pilots to those units“, Pathirana said.

The Departments of Government and the Armed Forces are to keep vehicles unclaimed and held by Customs, the Minister’s Cabinet has agreed. Co-Cabinet spokesperson, Minister Romesh Pathirana said, these vehicles, referred to as escheat vehicles, would be provided to meet State authorities’ demand for cars.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa presented the cabinet proposal for that move. Pathirana said government organisations had requested vehicles for the respective organisations including the Armed Forces.

OSL Take: The Sri Lankan is in the process of making necessary arrangements to reopen the country to foreign visitors from August 1st. The country’s economic activities have already restarted, and the tourism industry will kick start from August 1st.

Given Sri Lanka’s geological positioning in the Indian Ocean, the ease of doing business environment, the many trade deals, as well as trade reductions enjoyed by the country, it will be easy for the island to become a business hub in the South Asian region. Foreign businesses/investors could, therefore, confidently explore opportunities in Sri Lanka.

International airlines have already made arrangements to resume flights to Colombo, expressing confidence in the manner in which Sri Lanka has contained the spread of COVID 19. Foreign businesses/investors interested in exploring opportunities in Sri Lanka could confidently make arrangements to visit the island soon.

Also, Sri Lanka’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean, the ease of doing business environment, the many trade contracts as well as trade reductions enjoyed by the country will help Sri Lanka regain its position as a business hub in the South Asian region. Business/investment interest in Sri Lanka would, therefore, see an increase shortly. Foreign businesses/investors could, therefore, explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s real estate sector.

VBS/AT/06082020/Z_TB2