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Flydubai Strengthens Partnership with Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority

Flydubai Strengthens Partnership with Sri Lanka’s Civil Avia...

17 August 2026

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) recently welcomed...

ශ්‍රි ලංකා රජයේ ආරාධනයෙන්, ජාත්‍යන්තර සිවිල් ගුවන්සේවා සංවිධානයේ තාක්ෂණික විද්වතුන් විසින් පැවැත්වු තාක්ෂණික සහාය මෙහෙයුම් ව්‍යාපෘතිය (CAT Mission) හරහා ශ්‍රි ලංකා⁣වේ ගුවන්සේවා නිරුපද්‍රිතා අධීක්ෂණ පද්ධතිය තව දුරටත් ශක්තිමත් කරමින් සාර්ථකව අවසන් වෙයි.

ශ්‍රි ලංකා රජයේ ආරාධනයෙන්, ජාත්‍යන්තර සිවිල් ගුවන්සේවා සංවිධ...

17 August 2026

ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ගුවන්සේවා නිරුපද්‍රිතතා ප්‍රමිතීන් තවදුරටත් ඉහළ නංවා ගනිමින්, ඉදිරියේදී...

For the first time, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) is set to introduce a licensing system for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operators engaged in commercial and professional activities.
 
Under the guidance of Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer (DGCA & CEO), CAASL has already issued standard drone regulations under IS-53. These regulations form the foundation for the new UAS pilot licensing framework.
 
UAS operators seeking a pilot license will be required to sit for a theory examination followed by a practical assessment, which includes a live demonstration of operational competency. Applicants are also required to complete a medical examination and obtain the necessary security clearance.
 
Accordingly, the evaluation process for the issuance of the first UA pilot license was conducted by Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, DGCA & CEO. Mr. Praveen Wijesinghe, Civil Aviation Inspector (Unmanned Aircraft Systems), successfully completed the practical demonstration at CAASL after passing the theory examination.
 
All UAS used for commercial purposes are required to be registered with CAASL under the current regulatory framework. As the National Aviation Authority, CAASL is responsible for overseeing both manned aircraft operations and unmanned aircraft systems, including drones.
 
With many countries increasingly adopting UAS technology across various sectors, CAASL aims to foster a new operational culture within the drone industry in Sri Lanka.
 
Upon implementation of the UAS pilot licensing system, Sri Lanka will become the second country in South Asia to introduce such a licensing framework, following India.
 
This initiative is expected to act as a catalyst for national economic growth by connecting and supporting multiple industries across Sri Lanka.
Details

 
The Civil Aviation Sports & Welfare Association (CASWA) of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) organized a heartfelt event to commemorate Christmas 2025, embracing the spirit of unity, gratitude, and compassion during these challenging times.
 
A special address was delivered by Rev. Fr. Aruna Clement, Katana Chirch, who shared an inspiring message of hope and resilience.
 
As part of its welfare initiatives, financial assistance was extended to CASWA members whose homes and properties were impacted by Cyclone Ditwah and the recent flooding.
 
In recognition of academic achievements, gifts were presented to students of CAASL staff who excelled in the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination 2025 and G.C.E. (O/L). Additionally, gift vouchers were offered to all children of CASWA members.
The Organizing Committee also arranged lunch for all CAASL staff, including the supporting staff, as a gesture of appreciation and togetherness.
 
While CASWA traditionally hosts a festive celebration with carols, this year’s celebrations were respectfully cancelled due to the national situation and the widespread impact of Cyclone Ditwah.
 
The event was organized by the CASWA Executive Committee, under the guidance of Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Chairman of CASWA and Director General of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive Officer (DGCA & CEO).
 
The occasion was graced by Mr. Sunil Jayarathna, Chief Patron of CASWA and Chairman of CAASL, Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Chairman of CASWA and DGCA & CEO and members of CASWA.
 
Details

All drone operators both commercial and recreational are hereby advised to strictly refrain from operating drones in areas where helicopter operations are taking place, especially during this disastrous period when extensive search, rescue, and relief operations are being carried out across affected areas.
 
Drone operators engaged in search and rescue (SAR) or other aerial activities are further reminded to give way to all manned aircraft at all times to ensure the safety and efficiency of ongoing emergency flight operations.
 
Your utmost cooperation during this critical time is essential to support national emergency response efforts and to maintain the safety and integrity of Sri Lanka’s airspace.
 
Director General of Civil Aviation
Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka
 
 
Details

The Government of the United Arab Emirates has deployed an aircraft carrying essential food supplies and relief equipment to support ongoing humanitarian flood assistance efforts in Sri Lanka.

A, C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the UAE Air Force landed at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake today, delivering much-needed aid.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), under the guidance of Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive Officer (DGCA & CEO), swiftly facilitated the necessary clearances for the arrival of the relief flight.

The humanitarian mission was officially welcomed by Dr. Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Hon. Aruna Karunathilaka, Minister of Ports & Aviation, Eng. Janitha Ruwan Kodituwakku, Deputy Minister of Ports & Aviation, Mr. Khaled Nasser Al Ameri, UAE Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, DGCA & CEO, Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Harsha Abeywickrama, Chairman of Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL), along with senior officials from the Embassy of the UAE, Sri Lanka Air Force, SriLankan Airlines, and AASL.

This mission underscores the strong bilateral cooperation and friendship between the two nations during challenging times.

Additional UAE relief aircraft are expected to arrive within the week.

Details

 The Regulatory Development Workshop was successfully conducted recently under the South Asia Aviation Partnership Project of the European Union (EU-APP-SA), hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL).

 The sessions were facilitated by Capt. Peter Wilczek (OPS/PEL Expert) and Mr. Mihai Voicu (OPS Expert) from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), who provided technical assistance in the implementation of Personnel Licensing and Aircraft Operations regulations.

 The workshop brought together industry participants and Civil Aviation Inspectors, focusing on capacity-building and regulatory alignment.

 The third phase of the EU Aviation Partnership Project – South Asia, which commenced in June 2025, aims to promote harmonized regulations across the region, enhancing effective safety oversight responsibilities for national regulators.

 

Details
  1. Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director GeneraDGCA visited BIA to assess operational responses amidst the ongoing adverse weather conditions affecting the country.
  2. Sri Lanka Strengthens Ties with ICAO at Dubai Air Show 2025
  3. CAASL re-opened office at Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana
  4. CAASL to Strengthen Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Readiness

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