ICAO Pledges Technical Support for Sri Lanka’s Aviation Growth ✈️

• International Collaboration: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has assured continuous support to maintain Sri Lanka’s aviation industry as safe, efficient, and sustainable. This comes ahead of a critical international audit scheduled for later this year. • Industry Outlook: ICAO Regional Director Tao Ma noted that the global aviation industry is projected to grow threefold over the next 20 years. He highlighted that developing the necessary human resources to meet this expansion will be a primary challenge for the region. • Compliance & Standards: The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) was commended for maintaining standards in alignment with ICAO regulations. Technical guidance will be provided to ensure the country successfully navigates the upcoming 2026 audit. • Human Capital & Leadership: • Rehan Wanniappa was designated as an ICAO Global Champion for the Asia-Pacific. • Prabath Kularathna and Dr. Upuli Sachithra were appointed as Sri Lankan Ambassadors. • Several retired Directors General were felicitated for their contributions to infrastructure and safety advancements. • Diplomatic Engagement: Discussions were held with the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation to strengthen bilateral ties and ensure the long-term sustainability of the transport and tourism nexus. 📈