SriLankan Airlines felicitates students who excelled at the GCE O/L examination

The Welfare Society of SriLankan Airlines organised a ceremony at the Airline Centre, Katunayake to felicitate staff members’ children who excelled at the GCE Ordinary Level Examination- 2013. SriLankan Airlines Head of Human Resources and the patron of the Welfare Society, Mr. Pradeepa Kekulawela, Departmental Managers, members of the Staff Welfare Society and the parents of the achievers were present on the occasion.

Twenty two students who obtained distinction passes for all the subjects and eight students who obtained distinction passes for eight subjects were awarded prizes as an incentive to pursue higher studies.

Commenting on the event, SriLankan Airlines’ Industrial Relations and Welfare Manager and the president of the Staff Welfare Society, Mr. Ajith Biyanwila said, “All parents aspire to provide their children the best educational opportunities. Hence, as parents, it is vital that we recognize the talents and efforts of our children and encourage them to excel further in their respective fields. SriLankan Airlines’ Staff Welfare Society is immensely pleased to be a part of such an endeavour that will contribute to empowering our future generation with knowledge. We have been supporting many children in need of assistance to pursue their education and we will continue to support them in the future”

SriLankan Airlines’ Staff Welfare Society has been also awarding scholarships every year, to three Grade 5 Scholars who score the highest marks, which provides them monetary assistance for seven years.

British Airways terminates its operations to SL

British Airways announced yesterday that it will terminate its operations towards Sri Lanka from March 28 next year.

The decision to suspend the flights between SL and London has been made assessing that the Colombo route is not making a profitable contribution to their business and are unable to sustain it.

British Airways is in the process of contacting all affected customers, who will be offered a full refund. British Airways would like to apologise to its valued customers affected by these changes and would like to thank the airport authorities, local government, tourist organizations and people of Sri Lanka for their support rendered.

hirunews.lk

Leisure Golfers from 18 countries to tee-off at the SriLankan Golf Classic

Considering SriLankan Airlines’ consistent overseas promotional drive to promote leisure golf combined with family holidays, over 100 amateur golfers from 18 nations across the globe will fly into Sri Lanka, to take part in the 15th SriLankan Airlines’ Golf Classic at the stunning Victoria Golf and Country Resort course in Digana, Kandy, from September 24th- 28th 2014. A contingent of local and international media representing India, Asia Pacific and South East Asia will be closely following the action on the green for four days.
The international line-up of keen, consistent golfers will be joined by over 100 Sri Lankan golfers which will increase the total number of participants to around 200 players, creating a great challenge and an opportunity to enjoy two consecutive days of leisure golf on the par 73, 18-hole course overlooking the picturesque Victoria Reservoir. The tournament will be played on two consecutive days by each player and points will be allocated for a player’s Gross and Nett Stableford scores over their two rounds.
The SriLankan Golf Classic has attracted golfers from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, India, Malaysia, Kuwait, Canada, USA, Singapore, Thailand, China, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Italy, England, Spain, Australia, Japan and Saudi Arabia and our own players in Sri Lanka.

Mihin Lanka expands flight operations via Mattala

Mihin Lanka has now increased the number of flights operating via Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA).
The three destinations that Mihin Lanka operates flights to in the Indian subcontinent via MRIA include Madurai, Gaya and Varanasi. The airline also operates seasonal flights to Medan in Indonesia via MRIA.
As Sri Lanka’s only low-cost airline, Mihin Lanka strives to promote MRIA, an international aviation hub created by His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa to spearhead the development of the country. The state-of-the-art international airport is strategically located to connect to over 60 percent of the world within eight hours and boasts a vast 12,000 square-meter international terminal building as well as a duty free section spanning one million square feet.
Mihin Lanka operates flights across the region to sacred places that are of significance to people of different religions. The airline’s most popular pilgrimage routes for Buddhist pilgrims; Gaya and Varanasi also operate via Mattala. Hence passengers travelling for pilgrimages to Gaya and Varanasi as well as for business purposes to Madurai, can now embark or disembark at MRIA.
Mihin Lanka is Sri Lanka’s leading low-cost airline and operates flights to many destinations in the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and South East Asia.

AAC Career Guidance Seminar at Holy Cross College Gampaha

Asian Aviation Centre organized a career guidance seminar based on aeronautical engineering and aviation knowledge which was held at the College Auditorium with the participation of over 100 members of the aviation society of Holy Cross College.

Special baggage offer from SriLankan

SriLankan Airlines, the leading direct airline operator to Europe, now offers travellers to and from the region sensational value through increased baggage allowance. This special offer sees travellers being offered an extra 15 kgs of baggage each way, at no extra charge, thus seeing Economy class passengers have their allowance increase to a total of 45 kgs and Business Class passengers with 55 kgs on each leg of their journey.

Speaking about this special offer, Saminda Perera the Regional Manager SriLankan Airlines for Sri Lanka and the Maldives said “The airline looks to address a key need felt by passengers, primarily those visiting friends and family in Europe as well as Students travelling for higher education; in providing them an opportunity to carry anything and everything they would want with this enhanced baggage allowance offer. As the national carrier we’re keen to cater to specific needs of our local clientele and feel that this offer would be one that the market will indeed appreciate”

“Airlines often offer discounts on fares, but we wanted to give the passengers something which we felt was something they would value even more. With excess baggage rates to Europe across all airlines being what they are, the benefit of the 15kgs of free baggage each way translates to a phenomenal value of around LKR 50,000 which is something no one has ever offered direct travellers before. It lets travellers truly make the most of their journey – not just being able to take local fare or things from home to thrill friends and family overseas but also to be able to bring back gifts as well as souvenirs from their European travels when returning to the island without the worry of exhausting ones baggage allowance. That 15kgs each way will certainly make a world of difference. The offer will be on till December so whether it’s a student heading off to University soon or someone making a holiday visit close to Christmas; winter clothes packed in and all, everyone stands to benefit.” said Fawzan Fareid, the Manager Sales (Agency and Passenger) Sri Lanka.

This is the first time the airline has extended such an offer and is valid both to and from all its European online destinations, namely London, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome and Moscow. With 22 flights a week to Europe, SriLankan Airlines is the premier direct operator out of Sri Lanka. The free baggage allowance offer is valid for tickets purchased before the 31st of December, in Sri Lanka, for passengers travelling out of the island between the 15th September and 31st December, irrespective of the date of return. Air tickets carrying this offer can be purchased from SriLankan Airlines ticket offices in Colombo, Kandy and Galle, as well as any local travel agent or Passenger Sales Agency locations in Aluthgama, Batticaloa, Gampaha, Hambantota, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Vavuniya and Wennappuwa.

‘Ravan’ ready to fly

The Engineering Faculty of University of Moratuwa for the first time in Sri Lanka has produced an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle called ‘Ravan’. Under the guidance of Prof. Rohan Munasinghe the team has been pioneering innovators that adapt world class technology to the Sri Lankan context.

Pilots’ guild and SriLankan management enter in to agreement

A new agreement was signed between the Management of SriLankan Airlines and the Pilots’ Guild on the 12th of September, for the period September 2014 to September 2017.

This agreement mutually recognises the importance of enhancing productivity and contributing to business priorities whilst addressing the needs of the Flight crew in keeping with industry trends and employee retention demands.
SriLankan Airlines’ Management appreciates the Guild’s approach in joining hands with the company in this hour of need and revival, and wishes to recognise the professionalism with which the committee members of the Guild, led by Captain Chaminda De Soysa, conducted during the negotiations, to bring this agreement to a successful conclusion.

The Airline views this agreement as an exemplary achievement which was executed in line with the company’s future expansion plans and overall objectives and calls on all employee groups to work towards the Managements’ slogan, “ Working together and winning together”.

Hajj pilgrims from Maldives benefit from SriLankan Airlines offers this season

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka introduced attractive fares and other incentives for citizens of the Maldives who aspire to make that once in a lifetime spiritual journey in September to Mecca, the holy city for millions of adherents of the Islamic faith all over the world.

As the international carrier that operates the highest number of frequencies to the Maldives with five (05) daily flights and a total of 35 flights per week, SriLankan Airlines were ideally positioned to offer Maldivian pilgrims the convenience and comfort of travel in its wide-bodied Airbus aircraft, necessary for the Hajj journey to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia via Colombo and Mattala in the south of Sri Lanka.

The pilgrims would connect easily in Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport and Sri Lanka’s newest airport Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport with the five (05) scheduled flights per week operated by the airline to King Abdul Aziz international Airport in Jeddah.

Whilst four (04) flights would fly from Colombo to Jeddah on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, the fifth (05th) frequency on Thursdays arrives from Male into Mattala Rajapaksa international Airport and thereafter operates direct to the city of Jeddah.

Significantly, the Mattala Airport was able to offer pilgrims facilities for prayers during transit.

“SriLankan Airlines Regional Manager for Sri Lanka & Maldives, Saminda Perera said, “ we are pleased to say that the airline was able to capture nearly 60 % of the pilgrim market distribution in the Maldives, comprising of 04 groups totalling 500 passengers, further underlining our decades old presence in this extended home market for SriLankan. “

This we believe coupled with a strong brand, credentials as the single largest international carrier to the Maldives in terms of operations, and a reputation for warmth and hospitality has enabled the airline to play a pivotal role in this nation’s economy thereby helping us serve our customers well and gain their confidence”.

Adding to this, SriLankan Airlines Area Manager in the Maldives, Dileepa Wijesuriya, commented “Our combination of attractive group fares, additional baggage allowance and advance Check-in provisions for luggage out of Male, convenient flight schedules and connections, has been advantageous to us. We offered a baggage allowance of 40Kg, which is 10 kg more than the normal allowance plus an addition of 10 kg on the return trip from Jeddah to Male for unaccompanied luggage and to carry Zam-Zam (holy water) which is a boon for devotees.”

SriLankan Airlines marks its 35th anniversary with a blood donation campaign

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, marked its 35th anniversary with a blood donation programme themed “Donate blood, save a life” organized by the Airline’s Medical Unit, recently.

Held at the Airlines’ Medical Centre, Katunayake, the annual blood donation campaign was a great success with over one hundred employees taking part in it, despite their busy schedules.

Commenting on the endeavour, SriLankan Airlines Group Medical Officer Dr. Anomi Jayasinghe stated, “This is the thirty-fifth occasion we have organized this event and it was encouraging to witness a large increase in the number of donors. Whilst thanking all who actively contributed to make this event a success, I am confident that the SriLankan family will rally around and support similar events planned for the future.”

To coincide with the anniversary celebrations, the Airline also organized a series of religious activities to invoke blessings on the SriLankan family.

Lanka Challenge Tuk Tuk

Intrepid travelers from all over the world joined with the humble tuk-tuk (three wheeler) challenge, one of the funkiest modes of transport invented by man in Sri Lanka recently.

Air Force to send chopper to UN Peace Keeping Force

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has decided to send a helicopter for the use of United Nations Peace Keeping Force (UNPKF) for the first time.

SLAF acting media spokesperson, Wing Commander Padman De Costa said the UNPKF has chosen a SLAF helicopter considering the SLAF’s superior trade skills and technological abilities.

On the request of the UNPKF, the helicopter is to be sent to the Central African Republic.

The SLAF has planned to officially make public the agreement with UNPKF.

Ceylontoday

‘AVIATION VOICE’ Magazine Launched!

After the 30 years of civil war, now the field of Aviation is rapidly developing in Sri Lanka and people interested in aviation, unfortunately there are very limited resources available. Understanding the necessity Aviation Voice team has launched and publicized a website ‘Aviation Voice’ in June 2013 as the first aviation relating news web portal in island. The website is both in Sinhala and English. Also with parallel to the website we have created FB fan page on aviation in same name and at present the website is going well and there are many daily viewers and more than 11,000 aviation fans on the FB fan page. Considering the requests of viewers and with the objectives of improving the industry knowledge among general public, Aviation Voice team decided to launch a magazine as the second step.

The launching ceremony of the Aviation Voice magazine was held on 06 September 2014 at the Russian centre. Mr. Primal Silva, General Manager, SriLankan Aviation College, Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, Manager, SriLankan Aviation College, Mrs. Kate Lowe, Country Head, Aspire Aviation Institute, Ms. Michelle Pinto, Group General Manager, INFOTECHS Company, Mr. Dammika Wickramaratne, Chairman, Sayaki Company and other distinguished guests were also participated at this event.

                            The ‘Aviation Voice’ magazine is the first selling magazine in Sri Lanka which provides information on aviation to the Sri Lankans and they have planned to publish the magazine once in two months. This is a bilingual magazine, targets aviation enthusiasts all over the country. We intend to publish latest news relating to aviation industry of Sri Lanka, job opportunities available in the industry latest technology using in the field of aviation, etc. Especially they intend to cover the all aviation relating functions and Events taking place Island wide. We expect all aviation enthusiasts will link with them to spread the basic knowledge and the awareness of aviation industry among Sri lankans.

This magazine is available at all the Sarasavi Book shop outlets and Russian Publications or you can order it online through the Aviation voice website for 200LKR. For further information please contact Chathura Ranaweera, the Managing editor on 0711 27 77 69 or Gayanga Wijesena, Editor on 0766 76 91 11.

Sri Lanka President and Japan Premier unveil the phase 2 of BIA development project

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and First Lady Akie Abe at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this afternoon. The President and the Prime Minister then proceeded to the site of the two-story passenger terminal building at BIA that will be constructed with funds provided to Sri Lanka through a Japanese loan facility. The airport is being expanded towards the objective of developing Sri Lanka as an aviation hub in the region.

The project is expected to generate significant economic benefits with the financing scheduled to be used for the construction of a two-story passenger terminal building with two terminals for arrivals and departures. It will also include a number of aerobridges, an aircraft parking apron and a taxiway.

The expansion of the airport will not only facilitate commercial activity but will also help accommodate the growing number of tourists into the country. From Japan, the number of tourists to Sri Lanka has significantly increased, from approximately 17,000 in 2005 to more than 31,000 in 2013. Tourism, in general, has also seen drastic increases with Sri Lanka having recently welcomed its one millionth tourist in 2014.

Sri Lanka and Japan share a long history with diplomatic relations having been officially established in 1952 when a Japanese Mission was established in Colombo. Subsequently, Sri Lanka established a Legation in Tokyo in 1953. To mark this 60-year anniversary, President Rajapaksa made an official visit to Japan last year. It has been 24 years since a Japanese Prime Minister last visited Sri Lanka.

nation.lk

SriLankan newest Airbus A330-343 completed the first test flight

The newest member of SriLankan Airlines, Airbus A330-343 completed the first test flight on 04 September 2014.
The new aircraft registered under the 4R-ALL: F-WWYX: MSN 1564.

planespotters.net

Aviareps to represent Cinnamon Air in UAE, Qatar

Aviareps, a global leader in tourism, aviation and hospitality representation with 52 offices in 42 countries around the world, has been appointed by Cinnamon Air, Sri Lanka’s premier domestic airline, as its representative in the UAE and Qatar.

The appointment was made as the airline seeks to firmly establish and strengthen its brand and sales outreach among travellers and travel industry leaders from the Middle East, said a statement.

As part of the representation, Aviareps will be responsible for the airline’s sales promotions and marketing in the region.

Cinnamon Air will provide domestic Air Taxi services that operate daily scheduled flights from its base at the Bandaranaike International Airport to key destinations across the country including Kandy, Sigiriya, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Dickwella and Koggala.

Cinnamon Air’s fleet consists of two eight-seater Cessna 208 Amphibian Caravans and a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan wheeled aircraft, both amphibian aircraft have the capability of landing on land and water, and all three aircrafts are amongst the most reliable planes in the world.

cinnamanair.com

A Centre to handle maintenance of Air Force aircraft

Spokesman of the Media Centre of the Defense Ministry Brig. Ruwan Wanigasuriya said that the maintenance of these aircraft can be undertaken within the island with the construction of the new Centre. He was addressing a news conference at the Defence Ministry Media Centre.

Brig. Wanigasuriya said that discussions are in progress for the establishment of a Centre in Sri Lanka for the maintenance of aircraft. He mentioned that at present, maintenance of aircraft was being done in China. But the country has to bear a massive expenditure. But he said this money could be saved if maintenance was done in Sri Lanka. This is not a process of maintenance being carried out by Chinese technicians by staying in Sri Lanka. They will be in the island only for a period of two years and train personnel of the Sri Lanka Air Force. He added that the Centre will thereafter be manned only by Sri Lankan Air Forces officers.

Itn news

Emirates opens Sri Lanka’s first branch office in Kandy

Emirates, a global connector of people and places, has opened its first branch office in Sri Lanka in Kandy, making it easier for residents and travel agents of the hill country capital and the central highlands of the country to interact with the airline.

Located at 104, Yatinuwara Veediya, Kandy, in the heart of the city’s business precinct, the new branch office of 1,100 square feet comprises of a Sales and Ticket Office with a staff of five.

The new office was formally declared open by Chandana de Silva, Emirates Area Manager for Sri Lanka & Maldives and Kasthuri Chellaraja Wilson, Managing Director of the Transportation Sector of Hemas PLC.
Emirates currently operates 34 flights a week from Colombo – 27 flights westward to the Maldives and Dubai and a daily flight eastwards to Singapore, offering convenient connections to the Emirates global network of 143 destinations.

SriLankan Airlines celebrates its thirty-fifth anniversary

Colombo, August 31, 2014: SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka and the newest member of the oneworld global airline alliance, celebrates thirty-five years of flying, at the Airline Centre in Katunayake, today (September 1st).

Founded in 1979, SriLankan today has expanded its services to 89 destinations in 44 countries across the globe, operating around 260 weekly flights out of Bandaranaike International Airport, with its all Airbus fleet of 21 aircraft.

SriLankan Airlines Chairman, Mr. Nishantha Wickremesinghe said, “SriLankan Airlines has been progressively supporting the government’s vision of making Sri Lanka an aviation hub and an aviation knowledge centre in Asia. To achieve these targets, the national carrier has been steadily expanding its reach and enhancing its training facilities to cater to the growing demands of the industry.”

The national carrier has undertaken the arduous task of replacing its wide-body fleet, starting this year. The Airline’s extensive fleet renewal plan will see the arrival of 6 brand new Airbus A330-300 aircraft and 7 next generation Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The first A330 aircraft will be added to its existing fleet, in October this year.

SriLankan Airlines, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kapila Chandrasena said, “These aircraft will replace our existing wide-body fleet and allow us to offer a wider range of destinations, seamless connectivity and a superior service to our passengers, while also achieving improvements in efficiency and yields. SriLankan carried over 4.2 million passengers last year; out of which the in-bound traffic facilitated by SriLankan is over 2 million. These figures are set to increase steadily over the next few years in concurrence with our fleet expansion.”

The national carrier launched its new Aviation Academy, which will provide the opportunity for local students to expand their aviation knowledge. In view of establishing Sri Lanka as a knowledge hub for aviation, the Simulator Centre of SriLankan Airlines, which is one of the few EASA certified institutions in the region, providing A320-A330 simulator training will be further developed to cater to aspirant youth looking for lucrative carriers in aviation.

SriLankan will also be establishing an aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Facility at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in the near future to provide MRO services for the regional carriers.

SriLankan Airlines joined the oneworld airline alliance on May 1st this year as the first carrier from the Indian Sub-continent. SriLankan now flies alongside some of the biggest and premier brands in the airline business – airberlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Royal Jordanian and S7 airlines. Together with its oneworld membership, the flagship carrier of Sri Lanka offers its customers convenient connections to a thousand destinations in over 150 countries.

Cathay Pacific enhances Sri Lanka service with new non-stop flights to Colombo

Cathay Pacific today announced that it will enhance its service to Sri Lanka by operating four non-stop flights a week to Colombo from 27 October 2014. The direct flights will replace the flights that currently stop in Singapore and will make Cathay Pacific the only airline to operate direct services between Hong Kong and Colombo. The airline will still offer a daily service to Sri Lanka, with three flights a week continuing to operate via Bangkok.

The new direct flights will be operated by an Airbus A330-300 aircraft equipped with Cathay Pacific’s award-winning long-haul Business Class seats together with new Premium Economy and Economy Class seats. Passengers will be able to enjoy on-demand inflight entertainment in all classes.

Cathay Pacific has been serving Sri Lanka for more 20 years. This latest service enhancement will provide passengers from Sri Lanka with greater choice and more convenience when travelling to Hong Kong or onwards to other destinations in Cathay Pacific’s international network or the regional network of sister airline, Dragon air.

Sri Lanka welcomes one millionth tourist for 2014

Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals reached one million today with the arrival of Joshua Gladstein and Sophie Nathan who arrived via UL 504 Sri Lankan Airlines flight from London at 12.45pm today.

A small ceremony was held today to welcome the one millionth tourist to Sri Lanka with the participation of officials including Managing Director Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Board Rumy Jauffer at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.

The couple has visited Sri Lanka on the date of their first wedding Anniversary today and said that they are indeed delighted to be the one millionth tourist of Sri Lanka. Special cultural dance performance was held at BIA to welcome the couple and Sri Lanka Tourism offered a special gift and a complimentary package to the lucky tourist couple who arrived today to visit country’s well- known attractions.

With the arrival of the one millionth tourists today, the booming tourism industry of Sri Lanka has shown early signs of achieving its goal of 1.5 million tourist arrivals target set for year 2014 under the guidance of Ministry of Economic Development, adding another ground breaking record in tourism industry. The key focus for tourism industry for the next two years is to attract a number of 2.5 million arrivals by the end of 2016.

www.nation.lk

Chinese Miss Universe finalists visiting Sri Lanka

The 23 finalists of the Chinese Miss Universe contest are on a tour of Sri Lanka. The contestants who arrived in the island under the aegis of SriLankan Airlines was accorded a warm welcome at the Katunayake International Airport. These 23 finalists will face the finals in Shanghai on the 13th of next month.

Before facing the finals, these contestants have undertaken a tour of Sri Lanka under the sponsorship of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. They will be hosted by the Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts.

The fourth highest number of tourists to Sri Lanka comes from China. Chinese tourist arrivals last year alone was 55,000.