SriLankan celebrates 70th anniversary of commercial aviation

Exactly 70 years ago, on December 10th 1947, a Douglas DC-3 aircraft named Sita Devi took off from Ratmalana airport for Palalay Jaffna and Madras. With this historic flight, Air Ceylon, the national carrier of Sri Lanka was born.

From the classic DC-3, the beloved Dakota, to SriLankan Airline’s current state-of-the-art fleet of Airbus 320s and 330s, the warmth and hospitality that is the characteristic of our nation has been proudly carried all over the world. 

Through many iterations and trials, there has always been an airline based in Colombo serving the nation. Today SriLankan celebrates the achievement of many years of service to the nation, an exemplary safety record and a brand that is very well known.

“We are now at the threshold of a new era, with a fleet and route network which is the largest in the last 70 years, destinations in four continents and poised to transform ourselves once again to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

“Our heartfelt thanks to all our customers and staff members who have supported us with unflinching dedication for all these years,” SriLankan said in a brief statement.