SriLankan to set up aviation training centres in key cities

At the signing of the franchise partnership between the SriLankan Aviation College and Nawaloka Air Services. From left: Buddhika Hewawasam (Deputy General Manager- SLAC), Primal De Silva (General Manager – SLAC), Capt. SurenRatwatte (CEO- SriLankan Airlines), Jayantha Dharmadasa (Chairman - Nawaloka Holdings), Dilip De Alwis (General Manager - Nawaloka Air Services) and Jagath De Silva (Senior Manager GSA Operations and Training - Nawaloka Air Services)

The training arm of SriLankan Airlines, the SriLankan Aviation College (SLAC), has appointed Nawaloka Air Services as its franchise partner to set up aviation training centres in key cities across the island.
“We are delighted to appoint Nawaloka Air Services (Pvt) Ltd as our franchise partner, a subsidiary of one of Sri Lanka’s most reputed diversified corporate houses - Nawaloka Holdings. It was selected from among a number of companies which responded to SLAC’s call for applications for a franchise partner,” SriLankan Airlines CEO Suren Ratwatte said. SLAC, which was launched in 2013, has been listed as one of the top ten aviation training centres in the world by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which drives standards and education in the aviation industry.
It is a Regional Training Partner of IATA, and has also received certification from the European Union EASA. Each of the new centres will have accreditation from IATA.
“We are proud to be the chosen franchisee partner of SriLankan Airlines in its Aviation College expansion. I would like to re-affirm our commitment and support to SriLankan Aviation College towards a successful business expansion in the aviation industry,” Nawaloka Holdings Chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa said.
The first franchise centre will be opened in Galle, followed by others in Batticaloa, Jaffna and Kandy.
A diverse range of academic programmes will be offered at these franchises, including: IATA/FIATA Introduction to Cargo; IATA/UFTAA Foundation Diploma in Travel & Tourism; IATA/UFTAA Consultancy Diploma in Travel & Tourism; Harvard Leadership and Management Diploma; Advanced Certificate in Airline Marketing; National Certificate in Aviation Management; National Diploma in Aviation Management; and Aircraft Maintenance Category A 1.
“SLAC is already expanding its services to clients in the aviation industry throughout Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and the appointment of a franchisee to take our programmes to several major provinces in Sri Lanka is yet another milestone.” SLAC General Manager Primal de Silva said.
SLAC presently operates a franchise in the Maldives and proposes to extend its operations to the Seychelles.