The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) is gearing up to enhance its preparedness and responsiveness for search and rescue (SAR) operations through collaborative capacity-building efforts and improved inter-agency coordination to ensure timely and effective responses to aviation-related emergencies within Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue Region. As part of this effort, a Joint Search and Rescue (SAR) Workshop was successfully conducted today (03rd November 2025) at the CAASL Auditorium, with a Tabletop Exercise (TTX SAREX) scheduled for 06th November 2025, with the participation of more than 20 stakeholders. This will mark the first event of such scale in Sri Lanka’s aviation history.
Air transportation remains the safest mode of travel globally, with a 2023 accident rate of 1.87 per 1,000,000 flights, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Despite its high safety record, the potential for air accidents cannot be entirely eliminated. ICAO mandates that States must be equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to such eventualities to ensure the safety and rescue of survivors.
After the first National Aeronautical Search and Rescue Committee Meeting (NASCM/01) held on 21st May 2025, CAASL, together with the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), began a joint effort to strengthen Sri Lanka’s search and rescue (SAR) activities.
As part of the National Aeronautical Search and Rescue Plan (NASARP), CAASL is working with many important national agencies such as the Sri Lanka Armed Forces, Police, Disaster Management Centre, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Pvt. Ltd., Department of Meteorology, Immigration and Emigration Department, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Fisheries, Ports Authority, and other related ministries.
This plan helps all these groups work together so they can quickly and effectively respond to emergencies involving local or foreign aircraft within Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue Region. The workshop and upcoming exercise are organized under the guidance of Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation & CEO & Mr. Sunil Jayarathna, Chairman - CAASL and the leadership of Mr. M. A. K. Prasanna, Deputy Director General - Aeronautical Services Regulation, and Mr. Thilina Sri Warnasinghe, Director - Air Navigation Services and seventy (70) representatives from stakeholder organizations actively participated in the event representing the key institutes.
This initiative highlights Sri Lanka’s unwavering commitment to aviation safety and its readiness to protect lives both in the skies and at sea.
