Director General of Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka, Captain Daminda Rambukwella, has been honoured for his outstanding moderation of a key session at the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of the Asia and Pacific Regions, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
He received the recognition from the Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, in appreciation of his excellent moderation and contribution to the successful conduct of the session.
Captain Rambukwella served as the Moderator of the Capacity Development and Implementation session, facilitating discussions among senior aviation officials on key regional priorities related to capacity development and effective implementation.
The recognition highlights Sri Lanka’s active contribution to regional civil aviation and reflects the growing recognition of the country’s leadership and engagement in regional aviation cooperation.
His role at the conference further builds on his regional leadership as Chairman of the Cooperative Aviation Security Programme – Asia Pacific (CASP-AP) for 2026–2027, demonstrating Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to strengthening cooperation and advancing civil aviation in the Asia and Pacific Region.
A special meeting was held today between Captain Daminda Rambukwella, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), and His Excellency Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA ) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on the sidelines of the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The meeting focused on further strengthening cooperation between Sri Lanka and the UAE in civil aviation, with particular attention to the use of new technologies and the development of technical capabilities within Sri Lanka’s aviation sector.
At the request of Captain Rambukwella, His Excellency Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi agreed to support technical training opportunities for CAASL personnel without course fees. The training will cover key areas including Airworthiness, Air Operations, Air Navigation and emerging technologies such as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the technical expertise of Sri Lankan aviation professionals and support the continued development and modernization of the country’s civil aviation sector, contributing to improved connectivity, tourism and economic growth.
Seven States are now collaborating and sharing safety data and information to enhance aviation safety
Sri Lanka and Vietnam have strengthened regional cooperation in aviation safety by formally joining the Regional Aviation Safety Data and Information Sharing Initiative, bringing the total number of participating States to seven — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) formally joined the initiative on 8 September 2026, on the sidelines of the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, being held in Malaysia from 7 to 11 September 2026.
The agreement was signed by representatives of the participating civil aviation authorities, including Captain Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of CAASL, and Mr Do Hong Cam, Deputy Director General of CAAV, in the presence of senior officials of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The initiative enables participating States to share de-identified aviation safety data and information to identify emerging hazards, analyse regional safety trends and support the development of measures to better manage aviation safety risks.
Since its establishment, the initiative has continued to expand both in participation and in the scope of safety information being shared. In 2025, the number of safety occurrence categories increased from seven to ten, with the addition of runway incursions, unstable approaches that continued to land, and wildlife sightings excluding birds.
More than 13,000 safety reports have been pooled through the initiative, covering the period from January 2023 to April 2026. Analysis of the combined data has provided valuable insights into regional safety trends that may not be evident from the data of an individual State alone.
For Sri Lanka, participation in the initiative supports the objectives of the National Aviation Safety Plan (NASP) by strengthening data-driven safety oversight, enhancing the sharing and analysis of safety information, and supporting the identification and mitigation of aviation safety risks.
Sri Lanka’s participation further demonstrates its commitment to regional cooperation and strengthening aviation safety through data-driven approaches across the Asia-Pacific region.
Captain Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), served as the Moderator of Session 8 – Capacity Development and Implementation at the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Region (DGCA/61), held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Held from 7 to 11 September 2026 under the theme “Smart Skies: Emerging Technologies for Safe, Secure, Sustainable & Efficient Aviation,” the conference brought together Directors General of Civil Aviation, senior aviation officials, international organisations and other key stakeholders from across the Asia and Pacific Region.
Captain Rambukwella’s role as Moderator marked a significant milestone for Sri Lanka, reflecting the growing recognition of Sri Lanka’s contribution to regional civil aviation and its active role in regional cooperation.
Session 8 covered a broad range of regional initiatives related to capacity development, implementation support, technical cooperation, knowledge sharing and human capacity development.
Discussions included the Asia Pacific Flight Procedure Programme, the ICAO Pacific Small Island Developing States Implementation Support Roadmap, capacity development for flying training organisations, technical cooperation and stronger regional coordination.
The session also addressed aviation competencies for emerging technologies, ICAO Global Aviation Training, gender equality in air navigation services, AI literacy and governance, regional training cooperation, and digitalisation of the air cargo industry.
Further discussions covered the contribution of international organisations to technical and regional cooperation, inclusive participation in ICAO Asia and Pacific meetings through virtual and hybrid engagement, monitoring of conference action items through the APAC DGCA Conference Action Items Tracker Portal, and the ICAO Asia and Pacific Capacity Development Initiative.
As Moderator, Captain Rambukwella facilitated the proceedings and guided the exchange of views among participating States and aviation stakeholders on strengthening aviation capacity development across the region.
His participation further reflects Sri Lanka’s active contribution to regional civil aviation cooperation and its continued commitment to the advancement of safe, secure, sustainable and efficient civil aviation.
Sri Lanka and the Sultanate of Oman discussed further strengthening cooperation in civil aviation, with particular focus on the operation and development of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, enhancing direct air connectivity and expanding airline services between the two countries.
The meeting took place today in Kuala Lumpur at the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Region (DGCA/61) between Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), and Eng. Naif bin Ali Al Abri, President of the Civil Aviation Authority of Oman.
A key focus of the discussion was Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), with Eng. Naif bin Ali Al Abri expressing interest in its operations and future development potential.
The two officials also discussed the resumption of direct flights between Sri Lanka and Oman through SriLankan Airlines, the possible resumption of Oman Air services between Muscat and Sri Lanka, and increasing the frequency of existing SalamAir services.
The expansion of air connectivity between the two countries is expected to support the growth of tourism, trade and business while strengthening people-to-people links between Sri Lanka and Oman.
Eng. Naif bin Ali Al Abri also requested Sri Lanka’s support for a special International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) meeting scheduled to be held in Oman. Sri Lanka expressed its willingness to provide the necessary support.
As part of efforts to further strengthen bilateral aviation relations, Eng. Naif bin Ali Al Abri invited the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, the Deputy Minister, the Secretary to the Ministry and Capt. Daminda Rambukwella to visit Oman. Capt. Daminda Rambukwella also extended an invitation to the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Oman to visit Sri Lanka.
The meeting further strengthened the foundation for closer Sri Lanka–Oman cooperation in civil aviation, airport development and international air connectivity.
Following a request from the Delegation of the Republic of Indonesia to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Lukman F. Laisa, Director General of Civil Aviation of Indonesia, on the sidelines of the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Region (DGCA/61) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the two sides to exchange views on matters of mutual interest and explore opportunities to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in civil aviation, as well as collaboration within the Asia-Pacific region.
The discussions included Indonesia’s candidature for election to the ICAO Council under Part III for the 2026–2028 term, which will be considered at the 43rd (Extraordinary) Session of the ICAO Assembly, scheduled to be held on 19 and 20 November 2026.
In this regard, Indonesia shared its vision for the candidature under the theme “Bridging Regions, Strengthening Global Aviation,” highlighting its commitment to strengthening cooperation among ICAO Member States, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, and contributing to the continued development of a safe, secure, sustainable and efficient global aviation system.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of regional connectivity, capacity development, knowledge sharing and closer cooperation among civil aviation authorities, particularly in responding to the evolving priorities and challenges facing international aviation.
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining regular dialogue and constructive engagement between Sri Lanka and Indonesia and expressed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation within the framework of ICAO and the wider Asia-Pacific aviation community.
The 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Region (DGCA/61) commenced in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, bringing together more than 500 participants representing 35 countries across the Asia and Pacific Region.
The Conference is being held under the theme “Smart Skies: Emerging Technologies for Safe, Secure, Sustainable and Efficient Aviation,” reflecting the growing importance of technological advancement and innovation in shaping the future of international civil aviation.
Captain Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), is participating in DGCA/61.
The Conference serves as a key regional forum for Directors General of Civil Aviation and senior aviation officials to deliberate on significant developments and emerging priorities in civil aviation, exchange knowledge and experiences, and strengthen cooperation among States in the Asia and Pacific Region.
DGCA/61 also provides an opportunity to consider the opportunities and challenges associated with emerging aviation technologies, while promoting continued progress towards safe, secure, sustainable and efficient air transport.
The participation of Sri Lanka in this regional forum contributes to the continued engagement of the country with the Asia and Pacific aviation community and supports strengthened cooperation on matters of mutual importance to the development of civil aviation.
Captain Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka , met with Ms. Maria Rueda - Strategy and Safety Management Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and Mr. Javier Vicedo - Project Manager of the EU–South Asia Aviation Partnership Project, in Malaysia.
The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views, share perspectives and discuss matters of mutual interest, with particular focus on strengthening cooperation in civil aviation and supporting the continued development of the aviation sector in South Asia.
Captain Rambukwella will also participate in the Project Management Board Meeting of the EU–South Asia Aviation Partnership Project on 9 September, together with Directors General of Civil Aviation from other South Asian countries.
Sri Lanka’s engagement in the partnership further reflects its commitment to international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and strengthening civil aviation standards and capabilities through closer collaboration with European and regional aviation partners.
Captain Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), met with the Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the President of the ICAO Council, together with Mr. Tao Ma, during the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Region (DGCA/61), in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The discussions provided an opportunity to exchange views and share perspectives on matters of mutual interest, including Sri Lanka’s future aviation priorities, emerging technologies and the modernisation of the country’s civil aviation sector.
Particular attention was given to Sri Lanka’s plans to embrace eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) technology and future operations, reflecting the country’s efforts to adopt innovative and next-generation aviation solutions in line with international standards and best practices.
The engagement also provided an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation between Sri Lanka and ICAO and to exchange ideas on advancing the country’s civil aviation sector.
These discussions reaffirm Sri Lanka’s commitment to embracing emerging technologies, strengthening international cooperation, and contributing to the development of a safe, secure, sustainable and efficient aviation sector.
Sri Lanka is set to mark a significant milestone in regional civil aviation, as Captain Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), will serve as a moderator at the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Region (DGCA/61) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The conference will be held from 7 to 11 September 2026 under the theme “Smart Skies: Emerging Technologies for Safe, Secure, Sustainable & Efficient Aviation.” Hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) will host the conference, which will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur.
Building on his current Chairmanship of the Cooperative Aviation Security Programme – Asia Pacific (CASP-AP), Captain Rambukwella will take on a further regional leadership role as a moderator at the 61st DGCA Conference. His appointment underscores the growing recognition of Sri Lanka’s contribution to regional aviation and its active role in regional cooperation.
The conference is expected to bring together over 400 delegates representing 48 countries, including Directors General of Civil Aviation and industry participants.
The conference will provide a strategic platform to address key regional priorities, emerging technologies and the future direction of civil aviation. Through his role as a moderator, Captain Rambukwella will contribute to discussions and facilitate the exchange of perspectives among aviation leaders, while further strengthening Sri Lanka’s international engagement and cooperation.
Captain Rambukwella will also meet with the Secretary General of ICAO and the President of the ICAO Council, providing further opportunities to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with the global aviation community.
The occasion highlights Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to contributing to the advancement of safe, secure, sustainable and efficient aviation in the region.
කලාපීය සිවිල් ගුවන්සේවා ක්ෂේත්රයේ ශ්රී ලංකාවට සුවිශේෂී සන්ධිස්ථානයක් සනිටුහන් කරමින්, ශ්රී ලංකා සිවිල් ගුවන්සේවා අධිකාරියේ (CAASL) අධ්යක්ෂ ජනරාල් සහ ප්රධාන විධායක නිලධාරී (Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer) කපිතාන් දමින්ද රඹුක්වැල්ල මහතා, මැලේසියාවේ ක්වාලාලම්පූර්හි පැවැත්වෙන 61 වන සිවිල් ගුවන්සේවා අධ්යක්ෂ ජනරාල්වරුන්ගේ සමුළුව – ආසියා හා පැසිෆික් කලාපය (61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Region – DGCA/61) හි සැසිය මෙහෙයවීමට නියමිතය.
2026 සැප්තැම්බර් 07 සිට 11 දක්වා “Smart Skies: Emerging Technologies for Safe, Secure, Sustainable & Efficient Aviation” යන තේමාව යටතේ පැවැත්වෙන මෙම සමුළුව, මැලේසියානු සිවිල් ගුවන්සේවා අධිකාරියේ (Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia – CAAM) සත්කාරකත්වයෙන් ක්වාලාලම්පූර්හි Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur හෝටලයේදී පැවැත්වේ.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) has issued an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to Openskies, making it the seventh current AOC holder in Sri Lanka and the first operator to be issued an AOC by CAASL in 2026.
The Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, formally presented the Air Operator Certificate to Mr. M. D. H. Fernando, Chief Executive Officer of Openskies, following the successful completion of the required certification process and regulatory inspections conducted by CAASL.
The certification process was carried out in accordance with applicable national aviation regulations and relevant International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). The assessment covered the operator’s operational, technical and organizational capabilities to ensure compliance with the required standards for commercial air transport operations.
Captain Lasantha Dahanayake - Deputy Director General (Flight Safety Regulation), and Capt. Duke De Zoysa, Civil Aviation Inspector – Aircraft Flight Operations, CAASL, who served as the Principal Inspector responsible for coordinating the regulatory assessment and certification process.
With the issuance of the AOC, Openskies is authorized to undertake domestic commercial air transport operations in accordance with the privileges and conditions specified in its AOC and applicable regulatory requirements.
The issuance of the seventh AOC represents another important development in Sri Lanka’s domestic commercial flight operations, reflecting the continued growth and diversification of air transport services in the country.
CAASL continues to uphold a strong and internationally aligned regulatory framework, ensuring that operators meet the required standards while supporting the sustainable development of Sri Lanka’s aviation industry.
Mr. Inthaaj Careem assumed duties as the new Vice Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) today, bringing more than two decades of professional experience in Senior Management, Human Resource Management, Administration, Compliance and Organizational Development across several leading organizations in Sri Lanka.
Mr. Careem has built a diverse career spanning multiple sectors, with extensive experience in human capital management and organizational leadership. Following the successful completion of the two-year “We Challenge You” Management Trainee Programme at Ceylon Tobacco Company, he progressed to the position of Area Manager and subsequently served as the Research and Development Manager.
In 2006, he joined Loadstar (Pvt) Ltd. as Senior Manager – Human Resources & Administration and later served as Head of Human Resources at the company’s Corporate Office. In 2009, he joined Sri Lanka Telecom Manpower Solutions (Pvt) Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka Telecom, as Head of Human Resources.
He subsequently served as Manager – Resourcing & Development at Goodhope (Pvt) Ltd. before joining the apparel sector in 2011 as Manager – Human Resources & Administration at MAS Active Asialine, where he continued until 2017.
In 2017, Mr. Careem joined Hirdaramani Industries as Deputy General Manager – Human Resources, Administration & Compliance and was subsequently promoted to General Manager – Human Resources, Administration & Compliance.
In 2025, he further expanded his professional experience by moving into the field of Nanotechnology, serving as a Consultant at the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC).
Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Careem has maintained a strong involvement in sports and extracurricular activities from his school and university years. During his school years at Rahula College, Matara, he was a Cub Scout and served as the School Games Captain in 1988. At the University of Ruhuna, he served as President of the Sports Council and represented the university in athletics and hockey, including captaining both teams. He was awarded University Colours for athletics and soccer and received recognition for his contribution to hockey. He continues to actively participate in Mercantile and Masters athletics in Sri Lanka.
Mr. Careem holds a BSc (Special) Degree in Agriculture with Honours from the University of Ruhuna. He also holds the Professional Qualification in Human Resource Management (PQHRM) from the Institute of Personnel Management (IPM) and an MBA in Human Resource Management from the University of Bedfordshire. In addition, he completed the first semester of an MBA programme at the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA) in 2004 and holds a Lean Yellow Belt qualification awarded by MAS Holdings in 2014.
With his broad professional experience and expertise in organizational leadership, human resource management, administration and compliance, Mr. Inthaaj Careem brings a strong foundation in strategic and institutional management to his new role at CAASL.
His experience and leadership are expected to contribute to the continued strengthening of CAASL’s organizational capacity and governance, while supporting the Authority’s ongoing efforts to enhance regulatory effectiveness and advance the sustainable development of Sri Lanka’s civil aviation sector.
Following the commencement of Jetstar’s direct Melbourne–Colombo services, a senior delegation of Jetstar Airways met with Hon. Anura Karunatilaka, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, to discuss strengthening air connectivity and future opportunities for expanding the airline’s operations in Sri Lanka.
The meeting, held at the Ministry premises, was attended by W.W.S. Mangala, Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, and Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive Officer.
The Jetstar delegation comprised Mr. Scott Zeglin - Executive Manager, Commercial, Jetstar, and Mr.Rohan Garnett - Executive Manager, Group Asset Management, Qantas. Hayleys Advantis was represented by Mr. Shano Sabar - Deputy Managing Director, Gerard Victoria, Director/CEO, Advantis Aviation and Ms. Sudeshinie Jayawardena - Commercial Manager, Qantas & Jetstar.
During the discussion, the Minister emphasised the importance of Jetstar’s new service in supporting the growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, particularly by attracting more visitors from Australia and New Zealand. The Ministry also expressed its readiness to support initiatives that contribute to the continued growth of international tourism connectivity.
DGCA & CEO Capt. Daminda Rambukwella highlighted the significance of Jetstar’s operations in strengthening Sri Lanka’s international air connectivity and inquired about passenger demand and the potential to sustain and expand operations. He also raised the possibility of Jetstar considering future operations to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, as part of further utilising Sri Lanka’s airport network.
Jetstar currently operates three direct flights per week between Melbourne and Colombo, with strong passenger demand reported since the commencement of operations. Discussions also focused on the potential for increased frequencies and the continued development of airport infrastructure and passenger-handling capacity to meet growing demand.
The Government reaffirmed its commitment to providing necessary approvals, operational facilitation and support to international airlines, while CAASL will continue working closely with airlines and relevant stakeholders to facilitate the safe, efficient and sustainable expansion of Sri Lanka’s aviation connectivity.
A delegation from the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka paid a courtesy call on the Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer (DGCA & CEO) of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka.
The delegation comprised Mr. Matthew Ferry - Supervisory General Services Officer, Ms. Elizabeth Wysocki - Assistant General Services Officer, Mr. David Kent - Diplomatic Technology Chief, Ms. Chandrika Manohara - Customs and Shipping Manager and Mr. Amal Malinda - Mail/Pouch Manager.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest.
The DGCA & CEO warmly welcomed the delegation and appreciated the continued engagement and cooperation between the U.S. Embassy and the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka.
The courtesy call provided an opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between the two parties and maintain continued coordination on matters of mutual interest.
Mr. O. R. Rajasinghe officially assumed duties today (25) as the new Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), bringing extensive experience in financial management, internal auditing, governance and public administration to his new role.
The occasion was attended by Mr. W. W. S. Mangala, Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the CAASL, Mr. Primal de Silva, Executive Director of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited, and several senior officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka.
Mr. Rajasinghe is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (FCA) and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Business Administration (Special) degree. He is also a member of several other locally and internationally recognized professional accounting bodies.
With 27 years of professional experience across the public and private sectors, Mr. Rajasinghe brings extensive expertise in financial management, internal auditing, statutory accounting, risk management, procurement governance and public administration. As a retired senior finance officer of the Sri Lanka Army and former Director of Internal Audit, he led one of the largest internal audit functions in the government sector, with responsibility for strengthening financial controls, accountability, compliance and institutional performance.
His international experience with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti further enhanced his exposure to international standards, governance practices and complex administrative environments.
Speaking after assuming duties as Chairman, Mr. Rajasinghe stated that he is committed to promoting good governance, accountability, transparency, financial discipline and the effective utilization of public resources. Recognizing the highly specialized nature of the aviation sector, he expressed his intention to work closely with the Hon. minister and Hon. Secretary of the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, the Board of Directors, the Director General & CEO, senior management and all staff of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, while drawing on their professional expertise and experience.
He also expressed his commitment to fostering a collaborative and accountable institutional environment that contributes to the continued development and advancement of Sri Lanka’s aviation sector.
The management and staff of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka extended their warm wishes to the newly appointed Chairman and pledged their fullest cooperation in supporting him in discharging his responsibilities.
A team from Kshatra Drone Systems visited the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) today to deliver a presentation on the company’s range of drone-related products and services, with particular focus on its counter-drone technology.
During the session, the Kshatra Drone Systems team provided an overview of its counter-drone technology, including its capabilities, applications and potential uses, while also sharing the company’s experience and expertise in the field.
The session provided an opportunity for the Kshatra Drone Systems team to engage with the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, and senior CAASL officials, facilitating a valuable exchange of knowledge and technical insights on emerging drone and counter-drone technologies.
The discussions also explored the potential applications of counter-drone technologies within the civil aviation environment, particularly in supporting efforts to enhance the safety and security of civil aviation in Sri Lanka.
The engagement highlights the importance of continued knowledge sharing and engagement with emerging technologies as Sri Lanka continues to strengthen its capabilities to address the evolving challenges associated with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Singapore Airlines representatives, Mr. Flon Wong, General Manager – Sri Lanka, and Mr. Terence Chew, BH – Station Manager, Colombo, paid a courtesy call on Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), today at the Civil Aviation Authority.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Singapore Airlines’ operations in Sri Lanka, current developments in the aviation sector and opportunities to further strengthen air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Singapore.
Discussions also focused on enhancing cooperation between the CAASL and Singapore Airlines and supporting the continued growth of safe, secure, efficient and sustainable international air services.
Capt. Daminda Rambukwella highlighted the importance of continued engagement with international airline partners in strengthening Sri Lanka’s air connectivity and contributing to the sustainable development of the country’s aviation sector.
The Singapore Airlines representatives expressed their appreciation for the continued cooperation and support extended by the CAASL and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a strong and constructive relationship with the Authority.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to continued collaboration towards strengthening Sri Lanka’s international air connectivity and supporting the further development of the aviation sector.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) has adopted the proposals presented by EHang Intelligent under its Global Fast-Track Programme, aimed at establishing the first electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) sandbox in Sri Lanka, with a target of achieving initial sandbox commercialisation within four months.
The development follows a series of discussions between EHang Intelligent and the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, followed by technical engagements with the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) to assess the proposed approach for introducing eVTOL operations in Sri Lanka.
The EHang delegation, comprising Mr. Conor Yang, Chief Financial Officer; Ms. Xiao Na Lee, General Manager – Operations; Mr. Hu Along, Vice President – Guangzhou; and members of the company’s operations and technical teams, held discussions with the Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer (DGCA & CEO), Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, together with relevant CAASL officials and inspectors.
During the technical evaluation, the CAASL team and EHang representatives held detailed discussions on the proposed Global Fast-Track Programme, including the implementation pathway, regulatory requirements, operational framework, aircraft and technical requirements, infrastructure, airspace considerations, maintenance arrangements, personnel requirements and other matters relevant to the establishment of an eVTOL sandbox.
The proposed programme is designed to provide a structured and accelerated pathway for the assessment and introduction of eVTOL operations, while ensuring that all applicable regulatory, operational and safety requirements are addressed throughout the implementation process.
The adoption of the proposed fast-track approach marks an important milestone in Sri Lanka’s efforts to embrace Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and emerging aviation technologies. The four-month target reflects the proposed implementation timeline and remains subject to the successful completion of the required regulatory, technical, operational and safety assessments and approvals.
Further technical engagement will continue between EHang and the relevant CAASL inspectors and technical teams to progress the necessary regulatory and operational requirements for the proposed sandbox.
This initiative represents a significant step towards positioning Sri Lanka as a potential regional destination for Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL innovation, while maintaining a strong focus on regulatory compliance, operational integrity and the highest applicable standards of aviation safety.
The newly elected Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka Association of Airline Representatives (SLAAR) paid a courtesy visit to the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), where they met with the Director General of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive Officer (DGCA & CEO), Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, and senior officials of CAASL.
During the cordial meeting, the DGCA & CEO and the SLAAR representatives exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, including current developments in the aviation sector, operational matters and key issues concerning the airline industry in Sri Lanka. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss industry-related matters, share perspectives and strengthen mutual understanding between the regulator and airline industry representatives.
The discussions highlighted the importance of continued cooperation and effective engagement between CAASL and airline industry stakeholders in addressing emerging industry matters and supporting the safe, efficient and sustainable development of Sri Lanka’s air transport sector.
The engagement further underscored the importance of maintaining an open and constructive dialogue between the civil aviation regulator and the airline community, particularly in facilitating effective coordination and addressing matters of common interest to support the continued growth and development of the aviation industry.
CAASL appreciates the valuable contribution made by SLAAR in representing the airline community and its continued engagement with the civil aviation authorities. CAASL looks forward to further strengthening the collaboration and partnership between CAASL and SLAAR through continued dialogue and cooperation for the advancement of Sri Lanka’s aviation industry.
A delegation from EHang Intelligent visited the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation today to brief the Hon. Minister and Deputy Minister on the company’s preparations to establish electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) sandbox operations in Sri Lanka.
The delegation comprised Mr. Conor Yang, Chief Financial Officer of EHang; Ms. Xiao Na Lee, General Manager – Operations; Mr. Hu Along, Vice President – Guangzhou, and members of EHang’s operations and technical teams.
During the meeting, the delegation presented EHang’s proposed approach to establishing and developing its operations in Sri Lanka, including a phased implementation framework for the proposed eVTOL sandbox. Discussions also focused on the regulatory, operational, safety and technical requirements that would need to be addressed to facilitate the safe and structured introduction of eVTOL operations.
Following the meeting, the delegation visited the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), where they held further discussions with the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, and senior CAASL officials on the proposed eVTOL sandbox. The discussions focused on the regulatory and practical pathways for implementing the proposed sandbox operations in Sri Lanka, including the applicable regulatory framework, operational requirements, safety considerations and technical assessments.
It was agreed that the technical engagement will continue over the next two days with the relevant CAASL inspectors to further examine the requirements and procedures necessary for the potential implementation of the proposed eVTOL sandbox.
The discussions mark an important step in Sri Lanka’s efforts to explore the safe, structured and forward-looking introduction of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and eVTOL technologies, while ensuring that any potential operations are developed in accordance with applicable aviation regulatory, operational and safety requirements.
The proposed sandbox approach is expected to provide a structured environment to assess eVTOL technologies, operational concepts and regulatory requirements, while supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts to remain aligned with the evolving global aviation landscape.
