Sri Lanka Airports

Jan 12, Colombo: Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has initiated the process of handing over its facilities at Ratmalana to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) this week.

The SLAF said the relinquishing of facilities and areas occupied by the SLAF in the Ratmalana Airport environs commenced this week. A conference to finalize the modalities of the handover was held on January 7. The specialist checking of the buildings' inventories had begun soon after.

The handing over is the culmination of discussions between the Civil Aviation Authority and the Air Force. The final agreement was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on December 12, 2017.

Three Air Force flying formations, namely the No 8 Light Transport Squadron, Helitours Ltd., and No 61 Flight were shifted to temporary locations until the construction of the alternate hangar and apron infrastructure within the Air Force Base in Ratmalana.

A total land area of approximately 25 acres will be handed over to the Civil Aviation Authority when the transfer is completed. The Air Movement section, previously located at the Ratmalana Air Port complex, will also be relocated within the Air Force Base in Ratmalana. It will handle all military air movements once operations recommence when the alternate accommodations are complete.

The Ratmalana Airport, being the first international airport in Sri Lanka was operating as the major international airport up to the year 1969.
The airport which has been located very close to the major commercial city in Colombo, with easy access to all the main roads, presently operates around 70 domestic aircraft movements per day, the airport serves domestic aviation needs including commercial passenger flights, Aviation Training, During the war, the airport was used mainly for Sri Lanka Air Force operations and after the war ended in 2009, it was re-opened for civil aviation services.

SriLankan Airlines, in partnership with immersive entertainment specialist SkyLights, yesterday unveiled a new Virtual Reality (VR) cinema at its Business Class lounge.

Installed in the Serendib lounge at Bandaranaike International Airport, SkyLights’ Allosky and Skykids cinematic VR headsets offer passengers the unique opportunity to relax and enjoy the latest films and TV series in 2D, 3D and 360° on individual immersive headsets. In offering this innovate new service, the leading national carrier looks to transform passenger-waiting times and set its customer journey apart. If deemed successful, SriLankan Airlines may also look to introduce the service onboard its long-haul flights.



SkyLights is an American-French company pioneering VR as passenger entertainment in-flight and in the lounge. Recognising its expertise in the field, SriLankan Airlines selected SkyLights’ Allosky and Skykids solutions to create a dedicated private cinema area as a new type of guest experience, including children entertained during their stay at the lounge.

SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Vipula Gunatilleka said: “We are pleased to partner SkyLights in our endeavour to provide a memorable travel experience to our valued customers. Introducing this immersive cinema experience for the enjoyment of our premium passengers is a truly progressive step given that we are one of the first Airlines in the Asian region to adopt the service. We continue to embrace new technology and trends in all our service aspects whereby to provide a unique passenger journey amidst the comforts of contemporary air travel complemented with the traditional Sri Lankan warmth and hospitality.”

With the sleek and comfortable Allosky headsets and Bluetooth headphones, guests at the Serendib lounge will enjoy films such as critically acclaimed Crazy Rich Asians, and in 3D Spielberg’s Ready Player One in Full HD. Furthermore, passengers that wear reading glasses are not excluded from enjoying the service thanks to focus adjustments on the device.

For younger travellers, films such as Ferdinand (3D), Harry Potter and The Lego Batman Movie (3D) will be available on Skykids headsets, which have a fun design, are extremely easy to use and allow reading glasses to be worn inside of the headset.

“The lounge is an important part in the premium customer journey and to date there has been little in the way of passenger entertainment in this space. With SriLankan Airlines we secure our first deployment in the Asia-Pacific region. Together we are working to set a new standard in customer experience before passengers even step foot on the plane,” said SkyLights CEO David Dicko.