Minister Hashim lauds Sri Lankan Aviation College’s success

By Hiruni Dabarera

“Despite the prevailing losses of Air Lanka services over a few years, the Sri Lankan Aviation College remains as a success story,” declared Public Enterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim at the second graduation ceremony of Sri Lankan Aviation College held at BMICH on Friday.

The ceremony marked the successful graduation of over 500 students from faculties like Travel and Tourism, Cargo and Dangerous Good regulations, Image Consultancy and Cabin Crew and Airport service.

The Sri Lankan Aviation College started in 2014 is the only institute in Asia to be endorsed by the international accreditations of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The institute is a part of an exclusive group of 25 institutions worldwide and accounts for 80 foreign students from countries Oman, Maldives, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Japan, Tanzania and even United Kingdom and Australia. “We hope to attract more foreign students in future and help increase our foreign earning,” said the college’s General Manager Primal De Silva. 

He further elaborated how the college hopes to break the perception of career opportunities in aviation been reserved for the elite. It educates students from all over the country and world; from different economical and cultural backgrounds but all with a passion for aviation. The college has conducted aviation awareness programs island-wide and expects to expand their franchise network to the Northern, Southern, Eastern and North Western provinces. 

Undertaking yet another knowledge sharing venture, Sri Lankan Aviation College will launch the only aviation resource centre in Sri Lanka, at the Public Library for the greater benefit of aviation enthusiasts. They are also planning to open their proposed upgraded facility in Katunayake soon and convert the Mattala International Airport to another Aviation College.

The graduation ceremony was also attended by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala as Guest of Honour and Sri Lankan Airlines CEO Suren Ratwatte.

Pix by Lasantha Kumara