Sri Lanka strengthens ties with ICAO to boost aviation sector

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama

At the invitation of ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar, Deputy Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports & Civil Aviation Eng. Janith Ruwan Kodituwakku, along with Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, DGCA and CEO of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), met with the Secretary General at ICAO Headquarters in Montreal, Canada, during the 42nd ICAO Assembly.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Sri Lanka and ICAO, aligned with ICAO’s strategic priorities of ensuring safe and secure aviation operations, promoting environmental sustainability, and facilitating seamless, accessible, and efficient global air transport.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) and the Centre for Development and Innovation (CDI) will define priority areas of cooperation once Sri Lanka’s National Civil Aviation Master Plan is approved. CDI reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the modernization of the country’s aviation infrastructure, including airports and air navigation facilities, and enhancing capacity building through customized training programs tailored to the needs of Sri Lanka’s aviation sector.

During the meeting, Salazar commended Sri Lanka for its consistent commitment and active contributions as an ICAO Member State. 

He highlighted the country’s achievement in maintaining the highest safety and security implementation scores in South Asia during ICAO audits, reflecting robust regulatory oversight. He also praised Sri Lanka’s Next Generation Aviation Professionals (NGAP) programme as a model initiative for developing a skilled aviation workforce.

Salazar outlined ICAO’s Strategic Planning framework, emphasizing the principle of “no country left behind” and formally handed over ICAO’s Strategic Action Plan to the Deputy Minister. 

The meeting was also attended by Tao Ma, Regional Director of the ICAO Asia-Pacific Office in Bangkok, who invited the Deputy Minister and the DGCA & CEO of CAASL to visit the ICAO Asia-Pacific Office to initiate implementation of the plan.

Capt. Rambukwella expressed confidence that with the steady growth in tourist arrivals, Sri Lanka’s civil aviation sector will continue to expand and play a pivotal role in national development and enhancing regional connectivity.