16 March 2023 05:49 pm Views - 3860
Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva has appointed a team to investigate air accidents in Sri Lanka's airspace for the first time.
Accordingly, letters of appointment were given today to the first batch of Air Accidents Investigators and thereby, seven Air Accident Investigators received letters of appointment from the Minister.
This is the first time in history Sri Lankan aviation services sector Air Accident Investigators were appointed to identify accurate information, investigate the true cause of air crashes and take necessary action to prevent any future disasters in Sri Lanka's airspace.
The Minister said that the regulatory role of the global aviation sector is performed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the regulatory activities of the Sri Lankan aviation sector should follow the ICAO standards.
“For so long, there was no institution or proper program to accurately conduct investigations of accidents involving aircraft had taken place in the domestic airspace,” the Minister said.
He said after an in depth study into the matter, steps have been taken by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka to form an independent pool of Air Accident Investigators is a giant leap forward for the elevation of the Sri Lankan aviation sector.
“Therefore, immediate steps will be taken to amend the Aviation Act to establish the Aviation Accident Investigation Bureau for these activities without delay,” the Minister said.
Training for Air Accident Investigators is conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka adhered to the standards stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The team will function as an independent body under the purview of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation.
Also, the team that is functioning under the Ministry at present, will be known as an Accident Investigation Bureau in the future.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)