At the invitation of Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Hon. Eng. Janith Ruwan Kodituwakku, Deputy Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports & Civil Aviation, together with Capt. 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 at ICAO Headquarters in Montreal, Canada, during the 42nd ICAO Assembly.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Sri Lanka and ICAO, in line with ICAO’s strategic priorities of ensuring safe and secure aviation operations, advancing environmental sustainability, and enabling seamless, accessible, and efficient global air transport.

Key highlights of the discussions included:

• Sri Lanka’s plans to appoint a voluntary Ambassador based in Canada to represent the country at ICAO Headquarters in Montreal.
• Establishing an official Sri Lankan presence at ICAO HQ with dedicated office space, similar to other Member States.
• Sri Lanka’s intention to contest for a seat on the ICAO Council at the next election in three years.
• Strengthening technical cooperation and capacity-building opportunities for Sri Lanka’s aviation sector through ICAO-led training and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Supporting capacity building in Sri Lanka with the vision of developing the country as a training hub in South Asia, by creating opportunities to train aviation professionals from across the region.
• Supplying international experts through ICAO to conduct specialized training programs, workshops, and seminars to uplift professional standards in aviation.
• Assisting major aviation projects in Sri Lanka, including air navigation systems, airport development, training facility construction, and other infrastructure initiatives, through the Capacity Development and Implementation Bureau (CDI), covering project management, procurement, feasibility studies, and related technical services.

CAASL and CDI will define priority areas of cooperation once the National Civil Aviation Master Plan of Sri Lanka is approved. CDI is committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s modernization of aviation infrastructure, including airports and air navigation facilities. Additionally, the two sides will enhance cooperation in capacity building through customized training needs analysis for Sri Lanka’s aviation sector.

Mr. Salazar commended Sri Lanka for its consistent commitment and valuable contributions as an active ICAO Member State. He specifically appreciated Sri Lanka’s achievement in maintaining the highest safety and security effective implementation scores in South Asia in both ICAO audits, reflecting the country’s robust regulatory oversight. Furthermore, he praised Sri Lanka’s Next Generation Aviation Professionals (NGAP) programme, initiated several years ago, as a model initiative that continues to build a skilled workforce for the future of aviation.

During the meeting, the Secretary General also explained ICAO’s Strategic Planning framework, emphasizing the principle of “no country left behind” and the goal of developing safe, secure, and environmentally sustainable global aviation systems.

The Secretary General formally handed over ICAO’s Strategic Action Plan to the Deputy Minister. Also present was Mr. Tao Ma, Regional Director of the ICAO Asia-Pacific Office in Bangkok, Thailand, who extended an invitation to the Hon. Deputy Minister and the DGCA & CEO of CAASL to visit the ICAO Asia-Pacific Office in Bangkok to initiate the implementation of the plan discussed with the Secretary General.

With the steady increase in tourist arrivals and the continued growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, DGCA and CEO of CAASL, expressed his strong belief that Sri Lanka’s civil aviation sector will continue to expand, evolve, and play a pivotal role in supporting national development and regional connectivity.

விவரங்கள்

கடைசியாகப் புதுப்பிக்கப்பட்டது: 07 அக்டோபர் 2025

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.

விவரங்கள்

கடைசியாகப் புதுப்பிக்கப்பட்டது: 10 செப்டம்பர் 2025

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 10^th 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.

விவரங்கள்

கடைசியாகப் புதுப்பிக்கப்பட்டது: 10 செப்டம்பர் 2025

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,

1. Be widely recognized for expertise and accomplishments in aviation fields;
2. Be actively working and engaged in the aviation industry;
3. 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;
4. 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;
5. Demonstrate the commitment and proven potential to reach out to significant audiences, including decision-makers; and
6. As much as possible, be influential within their national borders, and corresponding region, thus having the ability to promote ICAO’s imperatives.
7. Must be a citizen of Sri Lanka and be based in Sri Lanka

Kindly send your nomination on or before 04^th September 2025 at இந்த மின்-அஞ்சல் முகவரி spambots இடமிருந்து பாதுகாக்கப்படுகிறது. இதைப் பார்ப்பதற்குத் தாங்கள் JavaScript-ஐ இயலுமைப்படுத்த வேண்டும். with your CV attached, describing your involvement in the promotion of the civil aviation industry.

Enclosures: (Annex A) - Terms of Reference of Ambassadors

Annex A

UNS personal use social media guidelines

விவரங்கள்

கடைசியாகப் புதுப்பிக்கப்பட்டது: 28 ஆகஸ்ட் 2025