CAASL boosts search and rescue capabilities

Colombo, Nov. 3 (Daily Mirror) - The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) is boosting the country’s search and rescue (SAR) preparedness through enhanced inter-agency coordination and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring timely and effective responses to aviation emergencies within Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue Region.

As part of this effort, CAASL hosted a Joint Search and Rescue Workshop today (3rd November 2025) at the CAASL Auditorium, with a Tabletop Exercise (TTX SAREX) planned for 6th November 2025. More than 20 key stakeholders will participate, marking the first event of its kind at this scale in Sri Lanka’s aviation history.

Air travel remains one of the safest modes of transport globally, with a 2023 accident rate of 1.87 per 1,000,000 flights, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). While air accidents are rare, ICAO mandates that states maintain the ability to respond swiftly and effectively to ensure the safety of survivors.

Following the first National Aeronautical Search and Rescue Committee Meeting (NASCM/01) on 21st May 2025, CAASL, along with the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), began a joint effort to strengthen Sri Lanka’s SAR capabilities.

Under the National Aeronautical Search and Rescue Plan (NASARP), CAASL is collaborating with national agencies including the Armed Forces, Police, Disaster Management Centre, Airport and Aviation Services, Department of Meteorology, Immigration and Emigration Department, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Fisheries, Ports Authority, and other ministries. The plan ensures these agencies can coordinate effectively to respond to emergencies involving both local and foreign aircraft.

The workshop and upcoming exercise were organized under the guidance of Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation & CEO, and Mr. Sunil Jayarathna, Chairman of CAASL, with leadership from Mr. M. A. K. Prasanna, Deputy Director General – Aeronautical Services Regulation, and Mr. Thilina Sri Warnasinghe, Director – Air Navigation Services. Seventy representatives from key stakeholder organizations actively participated.

This initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to aviation safety and its readiness to protect lives both in the air and at sea.