The 31st Steering Committee Meeting of COSCAP - South Asia (Cooperative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness Program – South Asia), dedicated to advancing civil aviation safety in the region, successfully concluded in Paro, Bhutan from 7th to 9th of May 2024.
During this gathering, AVM Sagara Kotakadeniya (Retd.), Director General of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka, assumed leadership as the Chairman for a 2-year term. This pivotal role oversees the annual steering committee meetings, which play a vital role in shaping civil aviation safety initiatives. Mr. Khaqan Murtaza, DGCA of Pakistan, served as the previous Chairman for the past two years.
Established in 1997, COSCAP-SA embarks on its 6th Phase with a steadfast commitment to enhancing safety measures within South Asian civil aviation. Over the years, it has proactively implemented various initiatives to bolster safety standards across the region.
The Steering Committee meeting drew participation not only from member states but also representatives from key stakeholders such as Airbus, Boeing, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), as well as Civil Aviation Authorities from Britain (CAA-UK) and France (DGCA-France).
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The government has decided to modernize the Hingurakgoda Domestic Airport, an antiquated airport in Sri Lanka, to facilitate international flight operations. This airport, originally constructed for the Royal Air Force of England during World War II, was known as RAF Minneriya at the time.
Under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the current government aims to transform this centrally located airport into an international airport to bolster the country's economy. As part of this initiative, the 2024 budget includes a financial allocation of 2 billion rupees to commence initial construction and development activities.
With this funding, the first phase of development will focus on extending the existing 2287-meter-long and 46-meter-wide runway to 2500 meters. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation emphasizes that upon completion of these enhancements, the runway will be capable of accommodating Airbus A320 and Boeing B737 aircraft. The total Project Cost is 17 billions rupees.
In order to assess existing challenges and conduct a feasibility study to guide the development efforts at Hingurakgoda Airport, Mr. Nimal Siripala de Silva, the Hon.Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, conducted a special inspection at the airport on April 4th, 2024.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation – Mr.K.D.S.Ruwanchandra, Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force – Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, Acting Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority – Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., - Mr. Athula Galketiya, Director, Civil Aviation Services Authority – Air Vice Marshal Sagara Kotakadeniya and several officials were also present at the occasion.
In the discussion, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said: Through the modernization of this airport, we hope to transform it into an international airport in the future, for which the President has given 02 billion rupees in the budget of 2023 to start the construction. Accordingly, every year to come Higurakgoda is working to provide funds from the budget for the construction of the airport.
Explaining further, the minister said: Our ultimate goal is to operate Mattala, Katunayake, Ratmalana and Palali airports as well as Higurakgoda airport as a civil airport.
Therefore, he asked for the support of all parties to make this development project a success.
Source - Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Aviation.
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Mr. Florian Guillermet assumed duties as the Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) from April 1, 2024 following his selection by the EASA Management Board on December 13, 2023.
Mr. Guillermet succeeds Mr.Luc Tytgat, who led the Agency as Acting Executive Director for the last seven months. Mr. Tytgat will remain with the Agency in a senior leadership role until August, supporting Mr. Guillermet through the transition period. Mr. Tytgat was in Sri Lanka for EASA’s International Cooperation Forum successfully hosted jointly by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka and EASA from 19th to 21st of March 2024.
Mr. Guillermet brings extensive leadership experience from various organizations in the aviation sector. He has worked in aviation for 26 years, including top level management posts in France and in European Union aviation organizations.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka wishes Mr. Florian Guillermet for a successful tenure as the Executive Director of EASA.
About the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka:
The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) is the national aviation regulatory authority in Sri Lanka, responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and efficiency of civil aviation operations within the country. Established under the Civil Aviation Act No. 14 of 2010, the CAASL oversees various aspects of aviation, including licensing, airworthiness, airport operations, air navigation services, and aviation security. Committed to upholding international standards and best practices, the CAASL works collaboratively with domestic and international stakeholders to promote safe and sustainable aviation development in Sri Lanka. For more information, please visit www.caa.lk.
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The representatives of Maldiviana Aviation (Private) Limited, GSA (General Sales Agent) for Aeroflot Russian Airlines & Rossiya Airlines, made a courtesy call on AVM Sagara Kotakadeniya (Retd.), the Director General of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive Officer (DGCA & CEO) on 02nd April 2024 at the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka.
The discussions revolved around the Airline’s new business opportunities and the DGCA & CEO positively welcomed their proposals. The Representatives were very keen on the suggestions and agreed to look into them favorably.
Ms. Padma Beddewela, Operation Director/ Accountable Manager of Maldiviana Aviation (Private) Limited , was also present at the meeting and she specially mentioned that both airlines have identified Sri Lanka as an important aspect of their operation and wish to continue direct operations from Russia to Colombo.
Ms Viktoria Smirnova, Mr Aleksandr Chermiuk, Mr Praneeth Fernando & Mr Nimal Maussawa were present on this occasion representing the Maldiviana Aviation (Private) Limited.
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Mr.Simon James Mone, Aerodromes and Ground Aids Expert for COSCAP-SA was on mission to review the ICAO Protocol Question in the field of Aerodromes and Ground Aids (AGA) for future USOAP CMA audits.
A mission debrief was conducted by AGA Expert to DGCA, DDG-ATSR , Director Aerodromes and his team on 22nd March and the report was handed over to DGCA along with the Action plan prepared to improve the effective implementation of ICAO Standards at Sri Lankan Aerodromes and the regulatory framework.
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