පුවත් සංග්‍රහ

To mark the 80 Years of the International Civil Aviation Day...

දෙසැම්බර් 10 2024

To mark the 80 Years of the International Civil Aviation...

59th Asia Pacific DGCA Conference

ඔක්තෝබර් 22 2024

The 59th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)...

Implementing Standard 72 Requirements for Flight Crew Licensing was published being effective from 1st April 2021. The Training Organization and Personnel Licensing section in collaboration with the Operations Section of CAASL needed to grant DGCA authorization to the Flight Test Examiners who are involved with the practical assessments of the aircrew engaged with commercial air transportation. Mainly Flight Test Examiners of SriLankan Airlines Limited and Fits Air (Pvt) Ltd.

Prior to granting authorization a one-day training session was held at CAASL on the 5th of April 2022 for them to familiarize with the requirements stipulated in the Implementing Standard 72. 

The participants viewed a presentation by CAASL Designated Flight Operations Inspector Capt. Romesh De SIlva where 15 Flight Test Examiners representing SriLankan Airlines and 2 from Fits Air were present. The regulatory requirements were presented by the Director Training Organization and Personnel Licensing Mr. Sugath Nagahawatte during the session. While the Director Flight Operations Capt. Lushan Fernando explained the change from the previous Designated Check Pilot concept to the new Flight Test Examiner concept.

At the conclusion of the training, Certificates and the DGCA authorization letters were awarded to the participants by Director general of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive Officer Capt. Themiya Abeywickrama at a function held at the auditorium.  

Personnel Licensing section Senior Inspector Ms. Champika Vidanapathirana, Inspectors Ms. Sandamali Kapilratne, Mr. Nimanka Fernando and Operations inspectors Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Capt. Isuru Srathchandra and Designated Flight Operations inspcetors Capt. Anton Keil and Capt. Ravi Dharmawickrama participated at the event.

Mr. Murat Bayder, the General Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives of Turkish Airlines had a courtesy discussion with  Capt. Themiya Abeywickrama the Director General of Civil Aviation at the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka. At the meeting Mr. Murat and Capt. Themiya discussed about the Turkish airlines operations and its future operational plans to and from Sri Lanka. Mr. Murat specially mentioned that Turkish airlines has identified Sri Lanka as an important aspect of their operation and wish to increase flights to Colombo from October 2022. As per Mr. Murat, the Turkish airline will explore operating two flights per day between Istanbul and Colombo from the next winter season.

The DGCA emphasized the opportunities of operating to Mattala International Airport since it has more concessions for commercial airlines and the Turkish Airline representatives promised to consider the proposal from next winter positively.

Mr. Rayhan Wanniappa, the Act. Deputy Director General (Corporate Management), Mr. Ishara Gunawardana, Manager (Air Services and Traffic Rights) from Civil Aviation Authority were also present for the meeting while Ms. Shermika Kuweju, Regional Sales Manager of Turkish Airlines represented the airline.

Mr. Tao Ma, The Regional Director of Asia Pacific of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) visited the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) on 01st April 2022.
 
He addressed the staff members on his role and vision.
 
His visit was an inspiration and encouragement to our staff.

The 29th Steering Committee Meeting of COSCAP - South Asia (Cooperative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness Program – South Asia), the organization established with the aim of promoting safety in civil aviation, was successfully held in Colombo. The meeting was being held at Hotel Hilton for three days from 29th to 31st of March.

This organization was established back in year 1997 and has taken many steps to secure the safety of the civil aviation of the South Asian region.

Apart from the members of the organization, there were representatives from Airbus, Boeing, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Civil Aviation Authorities of Britain (CAA-UK) and France (DGCA-France) attended the meeting.

There were about 60 representatives attending the meeting representing various stakeholders and  Sri Lanka is privileged to hold the meeting and Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka acts as the organizer of the meeting.

This was the first international conference in the field of civil aviation holds in Sri Lanka after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The meeting revolved the safety operations of South Asian region and delegates were very keen on the suggestions and agreed to look into them favorably.     

The Steering Committee meeting has been organized under the guidance of the Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Mr. Upul Dharmadasa, Vice Chairman – Mr. Amitha Wijesuriya, Director General of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive OfficerCaptain Themiya Abeywickrama & Mr. P A Jayakantha, Additional Director General. The organizing committee is comprising Mr. Rayhan Wanniappa as the chief organizer, Mrs. Shermila Magamamudali as the secretary with other officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka.

Image –

Capt. Themiya Abeywickrama, Director General of Civil Aviation is presenting a token of appreciation to Capt. Marie Zubryckyj, Chief Technical Advisor of COSCAP-SA.

ICAO – the International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialized agency of the UN at its 5th council meeting, 224 session has designated 20th day of February as the international day to commemorate the aircraft accident victims and their families.

In line with the ICAO declaration, Sri Lanka being one of its member states has established the commemoration day beginning February’22 at a simple ceremony organized by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL).

The Civil Aviation Authority is the statutory body that regulates and oversees all aspects of civil aviation within the territory of Sri Lanka and air space above it, established by an Act of Parliament (Act No.34 of 2002).

On 1st December’21, at the first ever international symposium on assistance to aircraft accident victims and their families, The Secretary General of ICAO Salazar, during his key note address observed that ‘Aviation Safety is an incredible team effort and the same co-operation must be directed towards ensuring the rights of accident victims and their families in the aftermath of these tragic events’.

During the first commemorative event conducted in Sri Lanka, Capt. Themiya Abeywickrama, Director General of Civil Aviation said that “in addition to the implementation of International Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) on assistance to the aircraft accident victims and their families which is a MUST, and that CAASL looking beyond boundaries to enhance legislations and regulations for fulfillment of victims with what they deserve to further improve care and treatment. 

CAASL has organized a series of commemorative events to increase awareness of consequences on people who suffer from aircraft accidents and their families, the significance of extending required respect for victims and obligation to understand the mental, physical and spiritual well-being of their families.

Henceforth Sri Lanka will make 20th day of February a commemorative day for aircraft accident victims and their families.