Capt. Daminda Rambukwella officially assumed duties as the Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) on 10th September 2025.
A ceremony was held to mark this significant occasion in the presence of Mr. Sunil Jayarathna, Chairman of CAASL, Mr. Rayhan Wanniappa, Deputy Director General (Air Transport & Security Regulation), Mr. M. A. K. Prasanna, Deputy Director General (Aeronautical Services Regulation) along with other senior officers of CAASL.
Prior to this appointment, Capt. Rambukwella served as the Deputy Director General (Flight Safety Regulation) and Acting Director of Aircraft Operations at CAASL, where he demonstrated exemplary leadership, sound decision-making, and strong administrative capabilities. He began his career at CAASL as a Flight Operations Inspector (Aircraft Flight Operations).
His extensive experience and strategic insight make him well-positioned to guide Sri Lanka’s aviation sector into a new era of progress and innovation.
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The Cabinet of the Government of Sri Lanka has approved the appointment of Captain Daminda Rambukwella as the new Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL).
Capt. Rambukwella is a highly accomplished aviation professional with over 25 years of distinguished service in the field. His expertise spans flight safety, aircraft operations, airworthiness, personnel licensing, accident investigation, safety management systems, rulemaking, and regulatory compliance.
Prior to this appointment, he served as the Deputy Director General (Flight Safety Regulation) and Acting Director of Aircraft Operations at CAASL, where he demonstrated exemplary leadership, sound decision-making, and strong administrative capabilities. He began his career at CAASL as a Flight Operations Inspector (Aircraft Flight Operations), handling critical responsibilities across international and domestic airline operations, aviation fuel management during crises, the national COVID-19 response, accident investigations, and other major operational challenges.
He holds a valid Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) with Airbus A320 rating and multiple endorsements. His flying career spans thousands of hours across a wide range of aircraft—from the Cessna 150 Series to the Airbus A320—along with types such as the MA 60, Y-12, and Beechcraft 200. Over the course of his career, he has held multiple roles including Flight Operations Inspector, Aircraft Accident Investigator, Flight Test Examiner, Flight Instructor, Designated Check Pilot, Chief Pilot Training & Standards, and Lecturer at several universities.
Academically, Capt. Rambukwella holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Gloucestershire (UK), a Postgraduate qualification in Management from the University of Kelaniya, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Kotelawala Defense University. He has also earned postgraduate qualifications in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law from the University of Colombo, in addition to specialized training in Safety Management Systems (SMS) from the University of Southern California, USA. An alumnus of St. Peter’s College, Colombo 04, he was also an active sportsman during both his school and university years.
Capt. Rambukwella has gained extensive international exposure through collaborations with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and regional forums such as the ICAO Asia Pacific Regional Aviation Safety Team (APRAST). He has contributed to international safety initiatives, ICAO-standard audits, and regulatory harmonization programs, while building strong networks with civil aviation authorities worldwide.
At the national level, he has played a pivotal role in formulating the National Civil Aviation Master Plan and the National Aviation Safety Plan. He has also made lasting contributions to aviation education and industry standards, training hundreds of pilots and aviation professionals as a Flight Instructor, Examiner, SMS Instructor, and Mentor.
With his visionary leadership, Capt. Rambukwella is expected to further strengthen public–private partnerships in civil aviation, expand domestic aviation in Sri Lanka, and promote leisure and recreational aviation activities. His appointment aligns with the Government of Sri Lanka’s vision of positioning civil aviation as a key driver of national growth and with ICAO’s global commitment to a safe, secure, efficient, and sustainable aviation industry.
Engineer Janitha Ruwan Kodituwakku, Deputy Minister of Ports & Aviation, officially handed over the appointment letter to Capt. Daminda Rambukwella on 09th September 2025 at the Ministry of Transport, Highway, Ports & Civil Aviation.
Mr. Sunil Jayarathna, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, also attended the occasion.
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In a significant step towards strengthening air connectivity, a delegation from Belavia Airlines, the National Air Carrier of the Republic of Belarus, paid a courtesy visit to the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) on 05th August 2025.
The discussions centered around Belavia’s new business plans and potential opportunities within Sri Lanka’s aviation sector. CAASL extended a warm welcome to their proposals, and the Belavia representatives expressed strong interest in exploring these opportunities further.
Representing CAASL at the meeting were Mr. Sunil Jayarathna, Chairman, Mr. Rayhan Wanniappa, Acting Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Deputy Director General (Flight Safety Regulation), Mr. M. A. K. Prasanna, Deputy Director General (Aeronautical Services Regulation) along with other senior officials.
The Belavia Airlines delegation was led by Mr. Uladzimir Barkun, Deputy Director General & Chief Commercial Officer, and Ms. Olga Mikhed, Head of Government & Industry Affairs, together with other senior officials.
The meeting was coordinated by Ms. Kaumadie Wijesinghe, Assistant Director (Europe and North America) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. Representatives from Far East Air Services (Pvt) Ltd, including Mr. Andre Fernando and Ms. Thanuja De Silva, General Sales Agents for Belavia in Sri Lanka, also attended the meeting.
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Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) has the honour of inviting you to join the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as it launches a new initiative to promote aviation to the public at large through its new ICAO Global Ambassadors Program, as approved by the ICAO Council in its 235th Session.
Aviation Sector is projected to serve 12.4 billion passengers annually by 2050, an increase of nearly 300% over the current volumes. To address this growing demand, it is critical for the aviation sector to tap into pools of competent and skilled professionals, including those traditionally under-represented in the aviation sector. The ICAO Global Ambassadors Program will play an important role in promoting greater engagement across the sector.
This Program aims to enlist the volunteer services of prominent individuals from the aviation sector to raise awareness among various groups, notably women and youth, on aviation and the opportunities it offers. This Program is aligned with ICAO’s Strategic Plan 2026–2050 through which the Organization seeks to chart a new, forward-looking, and fit-for-purpose course to strengthen aviation safety, security, and sustainability worldwide.
You are invited to apply for ICAO Global Ambassadors Program, for designation by the ICAO Secretary General for a duration of two years.
The following criteria are expected to be taken into consideration in the selection of Ambassadors,
- Be widely recognized for expertise and accomplishments in aviation fields;
- Be actively working and engaged in the aviation industry;
- Be persons of ethics and integrity who demonstrate a strong desire to help mobilize public interest in, and support for, the Strategic Goals of ICAO and priorities of the aviation sector;
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding about ICAO, aviation workforce needs, as well as relevant topics such as women in aviation, next generation of aviation professionals, and be able to articulate them;
- Demonstrate the commitment and proven potential to reach out to significant audiences, including decision-makers; and
- As much as possible, be influential within their national borders, and corresponding region, thus having the ability to promote ICAO’s imperatives.
- Must be a citizen of Sri Lanka and be based in Sri Lanka
Kindly send your nomination on or before 04th September 2025 at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your CV attached, describing your involvement in the promotion of the civil aviation industry.
Enclosures: (Annex A) - Terms of Reference of Ambassadors
UNS personal use social media guidelines
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The 60th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions (DGCA/60) has been graciously hosted by the Civil Aviation Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan in Sendai, Japan from 28 July - 1 August 2025.
The five-day conference took the theme “The Sustainable Skies of The Asia-Pacific Region: Towards Increased Economic Prosperity and Social Well-Being by Air Transport of People and Goods in the Region”.
The APAC DGCA/60 opening ceremony highlighted the importance of aviation safety and cooperation in the Asia/Pacific regions. His Excellency, Mr. Nakano Hiromasa, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, emphasized the region's significant growth, with air traffic expected to double by 2043. Ms. Nakayama Rieko, Director-General for International Aviation of Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) underscored the challenges of safety, efficiency, and environmental impact. The conference aims to foster sustainable skies and economic prosperity. ICAO Secretary-General, Juan Carlos Salazar emphasized the need for consistent safety standards, with the region's effective implementation score at 67%. The meeting also addressed environmental efforts, including CORSIA participation, and economic development strategies. After the opening remarks, a sacred Kagura style dance was performed which gave a cultural touch at this opening ceremony.
Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO Secretary-General, headed the ICAO Delegation. Mr. Tao Ma, the ICAO APAC Regional Director, and Dr. Manjit Singh, the ICAO APAC Deputy Regional Director acted as Secretary of the conference proceedings supported by ICAO APAC technical officers.
35 States and Administrations along with 12 International Organizations attend the Conference. Altogether over 400 participants attended the conference including 16 exhibitors and 14 sponsors supporting the conference.
There are 100 discussion papers and 60 information papers totaling 160 papers across 10 agenda items that capture the entire spectrum of civil aviation sector. The conference has several interesting discussion papers that capture various current challenges in the field of civil aviation apart from the emerging challenges. In addition, there are a couple of discussion papers on regional collaboration that are through the spirit of this conference.
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