The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson, I wish to present proposals to the subject Minister on civil aviation: the Civil Aviation Authority and our airports. We are pleased that Sri Lanka’s aviation security and safety are at a high level—our ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme aviation security score is 92%. Yet we must further enhance safety, especially in domestic aviation. There have been domestic incidents: a Bell 212 helicopter crash in May 2025; a 2018 crash; PT-6 trainer crashes in 2020 and 2023. Therefore, I propose urgent measures:

¶ 02 - Strengthen emergency response and safety infrastructure at regional level: Jaffna/Palaly, Trincomalee, Hambantota/Mattala, Kandy, etc. - Enhance search and rescue capability; establish regional SAR helicopters, drawing lessons from the 1974 Martinair crash. - Implement GPS-based aircraft tracking for all flights. - Enhance Air Traffic Control and navigation. Current primary/secondary radar coverage (200 nm) has geographical gaps—beyond Jaffna coastal areas, Eastern Province, Dondra Head, and parts of the Central hills. Close gaps with improved ATC and navigation systems; deploy enhanced navigation aids. - Decentralize maintenance and technical support: establish capabilities at Jaffna/Palaly, strengthen China Bay, and develop Mattala as a training, tourism, and maintenance hub for the southern region; introduce mobile maintenance units. - Improve communication infrastructure: VHF coverage is limited in hill country—establish satellite communication backups; monitor emergency frequencies at all airports; implement digital comms for remote areas; extend data link systems to cover entire controlled airspace; enable real-time weather data transmission. - Upgrade weather monitoring and forecasting: mountain-based and automated weather stations in Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, and Kandy; enhance reporting and windshear detection; introduce lightning and microburst detection; establish regional weather centers. - Develop human resources and local expertise; integrate technologies for efficiency—real-time engine/system monitoring for all aircraft; nationwide ADS-B; adopt proven digital maintenance solutions (e.g., Lufthansa Technik-type); strengthen aviation safety management systems.

¶ 03 Finally, we need a robust, independent aircraft accident investigation system. While the Civil Aviation Authority has an Aircraft Accident Investigation Board, its reporting, scope, and competencies must be strengthened to international standards.

¶ 04 These proposals may be costly and cannot be implemented all at once, but they are essential for saving lives. We hope the Government will act swiftly. Thank you.