Sri Lanka
USA
Canada
India
UK
UAE
Sri Lankan business tycoon Dudley Sirisena has sparked fresh interest in the country’s aviation sector after hinting that a brand-new, modern helicopter could soon be introduced to Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the Singapore Airshow 2026, Sirisena revealed that he hopes to turn his long-standing dream of bringing advanced helicopter technology to the country into reality in the near future. He made these remarks during an interview with a YouTube channel at the international exhibition.
Sirisena noted that he has closely followed developments in helicopter technology for many years and has been a regular visitor to the Singapore Airshow, Asia’s largest aviation event.
The 10th edition of the biennial Singapore Airshow kicked off on Tuesday (3), bringing together over 1,000 companies from across the globe. Major aviation giants such as Airbus and Boeing are participating, alongside regional players like ST Engineering and emerging defence and drone-focused firms including Anduril Industries and Shield AI. The event takes place at a time when the global aviation industry is aiming for rapid growth despite ongoing supply-chain challenges.
During the interview, a latest helicopter model by Bell Textron Inc. was displayed behind Sirisena. Referring to it, he highlighted Sri Lanka’s forward momentum, particularly with the revival of the tourism industry.
“I have made many of my life’s dreams come true through great sacrifice,” Sirisena said. “My next dream is behind me now, but I am dreaming of a helicopter even better than the latest Bell model. I will make this dream come true very soon.”
His comments have generated excitement and speculation, especially amid growing demand for modern aviation solutions to support tourism, emergency services and private transport in Sri Lanka.
