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Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), actively participated in the Dubai Air Show 2025 (DAS25) and engaged in productive discussions with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) delegation.
These discussions further reinforced the outcomes of the high-level meeting held during the 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montreal, Canada, between Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary General of ICAO, Hon. Eng. Janitha Ruwan Kodituwakku, Deputy Minister of Ports & Civil Aviation, and DGCA & CEO.
The talks focused on deepening cooperation between Sri Lanka and ICAO, in alignment with ICAO’s strategic priorities:
- Ensuring safe and secure aviation operations,
- Advancing environmental sustainability, and
- Enabling seamless, accessible, and efficient global air transport.
Key discussion outcomes included:
- Partnering with ICAO to position Sri Lanka as a South Asian aviation training hub, leveraging national infrastructure.
- Expanding technical cooperation and capacity-building through ICAO-led programs and knowledge sharing.
- Deploying international experts to deliver targeted training programs, workshops, and seminars to uplift industry standards.
- Supporting aviation development projects in Sri Lanka including air navigation, airport infrastructure, and training facilities through ICAO’s Capacity Development and Implementation Bureau (CDI).
The ICAO delegation comprised Mr. Christian Khouzam (Project Manager, Business Development Unit), Mr. Mekki Lahlou (Resource Mobilization Officer, CDI), and Ms. Sara Kocnim (Data Sales Associate, Business Development Unit).
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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.
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The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) has officially re-opened its office at Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana (CIAR).
The office will operate every Tuesday, and each day will be staffed by a relevant inspector either from Airworthiness, Aircraft Operations, or Personnel Licensing depending on operational requirements and stakeholder needs.
The reopening took place on 11th November 2025 with the distinguished presence of Mr. Sunil Jayarathna, Chairman of CAASL, and Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer.
Also in attendance were Mr. Rayhan Wanniappa, Deputy Director General Air Transport & Security Regulations, Mr. M. A. K. Prasanna, Deputy Director General Aeronautical Services Regulation, along with senior CAASL officers and stakeholders from AASL, domestic airlines, and aviation training schools.
This initiative, taken in response to stakeholder requests, aims to enhance collaboration, boost operational efficiency, and strengthen engagement between CAASL and industry partners.
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Mr. Sheldon Hee, Regional Vice President (Asia Pacific) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), paid a courtesy call on Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation & Chief Executive Officer, at the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL).
The discussions focused on the current state of Sri Lanka’s aviation industry, which has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years particularly due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and explored emerging opportunities for airline growth and recovery.
Mr. Hee commended Sri Lanka for its steadfast commitment and valuable contributions to fostering a seamless air transport sector, highlighting the importance of collective efforts to rebuild and strengthen the aviation industry.
During the meeting, the DGCA & CEO and the IATA Regional Vice President signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). The IOSA program is a globally recognized safety and quality standard that assesses an airline's operational management and control systems. Established in 2003, it aims to enhance airline safety, streamline auditing processes, and improve operational efficiency. Airlines are typically re-evaluated every two years to maintain IOSA registration.
Also present at the meeting were Mr. Buddika Hewawasam, the Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Beareu & the Country Manager of IATA Sri Lanka, Mr. Rayhan Wanniappa, Deputy Director General (Air Transport & Security Regulation) and Mr. Azhar Azahari, Regional Manager (South Asia) of IATA.
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