Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

Matters related to maritime security and international cooperation in the Indian Ocean dominated the inaugural meeting of the India-Sri Lanka annual Defence Dialogue held here Tuesday (Jan 31).

Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa led his team at the talks with his Indian counterpart Shashi Kant Sharma.

Mr. Rajapaksa was assisted by Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Prasad Kariyawasam and senior officials of the Sri Lankan Army, Navy, Air Force and Police.

Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa called on Indian Defence Minister AK Antony and National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon.

The Defence Dialogue will provide an opportunity to senior defence officials of the two countries to meet and discuss matters related to defence and security.

The next meeting will be held in Colombo in January next year.

Sri Lanka Army, taking one more great step forward in the reformulation of its training modules that cater to the needs of multifaceted present and future scenarios, established its first state-of-the-art Army Training Command (ARTRAC) Headquarters at Diyatalawa on Sunday (29) during a brief ceremony.

The birth of this umbrella wing that incorporates all Army Training Schools, Battalion Trainings and all joint military training exercises, came about as a result of directions, given by the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya to the Directorate of Training after extensive discussions on the importance of its scope. The ARTRAC is expected to further streamline and reformulate Army training programmes to suit international standards and local requirements to meet with any challenges.

The new ARTRAC, identical to that of a military think-tank of highest academia, is mandated to formulate doctrinal training methodologies that could challenge any possible future scenarios and conduct training at all Army Training Institutes while acting as the central pillar in incorporating knowledge on battlefield operations and different other training traits for a doctrine that could be harnessed and easily, referred by future generations.

The Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army after unveiling the main name-board at the entrance to the ARTRAC and the plaque on the administrative building in the garrison town of Diyatalawa where the prestigious Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) is situated, declared open the new ARTRAC Headquarters with the formal ribbon-cutting and traditional oil lamp lighting, amidst blessings of Seth Pirith.

Later on, the first designate ARTRAC Commander, Major General K. Herath made a brief presentation before the Chief Guest touching on specific areas of the ARTRAC's intended mission, roles and tasks, administration, etc.

The ARTRAC formulating doctrinal teaching concepts and identifying evolving concepts as regards warfare, arms in operations, strategic and tactical levels, is designed to conduct overall evaluation of current doctrines in combat, combat support, combat service support, development of standardized methods and liaise closely with sister services and the UN Peace-keeping operations trainings, etc. The new wing is also responsible for preparation of training manuals and joint military training exercises with sister services or any other foreign participants as deemed necessary.

Under the reformulation programme, the Directorate of Training (Dte of Trg), Army Headquarters, will continue its overall coordination of training within the Army outsourcing Army overseas training, regimental training and other training programmes in the organization.

The Indian government said yesterday it was entering into exclusive talks with the French company Dassault Aviation to provide 126 jets, delivering a devastating blow to the Eurofighter consortium that was hoping to secure the $12bn deal.

Dassault's Rafale and the Eurofighter, produced by a four-nation consortium including Britain's BAE Systems, had been whittled down from a shortlist of six last year and industry observers had been anxiously awaiting the opening of sealed bids that contained the costs of each company's pitch. It appears the French bid came in just a few million dollars cheaper.

'The Indian government has decided to go into contract negotiations with Dassault. We are disappointed that Eurofighter is not moving forward,' said an official at the British High Commission in Delhi.

The official said it was not inconceivable the Indians could yet reject the French offer and turn to the Eurofighter.

James Hardy of IHS Jane's Defence Weekly said: 'It's a big win for the Dassault and the Rafale, its first overseas order, after a couple of big disappointments in Brazil and UAE, and a big loss for Eurofighter. The Typhoon was widely tipped to be the favourite and had major political support from the big beasts of the Eurofighter nations.'

He added: 'However, it is important to note that this is just the first step. Rafale has been selected as preferred bidder but any student of Indian procurement knows that this means nothing until the contract is physically signed.'

The Sri Lankan government is ready to deploy additional troops under UN command for peacekeeping operations, the army has told the world body.

Army Chief Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya informed a visiting high level Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) delegation of the SLA s readiness to increase its contribution by two more battalions.

Jayasuriya emphasized at a Jan. 31 meeting at army headquarters that the SLA was in a position to deploy well-trained troops at short notice when he met the delegation here on a fact-finding mission aimed at assessing SLA s preparedness to sustain existing missions as well as taking new assignments.

The GPOI is a US initiative launched in 2004 by the then Bush administration to ensure the availability of well-trained fully equipped troops for UN missions.

The visiting delegation comprised Scott A. Weidie, Chief of Multi-national Training, US Pacific Command (USPACOM), Rich Maloney, GPOI Planner, USPACOM, John L. Otte, Director of Camber Corporation s International Civil Military Division and Lt. Col. Lucien Campillo, Desk Officer, USPACOM. Lt. Col. Patrick Schuler, Defence Attach at US Embassy and Wing Commander Chanaka Fernando (Rtd), Training Programme Manager, US Embassy, too, were also present.

Weidie is a graduate of the US Naval Postgraduate School (1993), Naval War College (1997), and Joint Forces Staff College (2000) and has served in aviation squadrons, aboard ship et al.

The meeting took place in the backdrop of Sri Lanka s No 2 at the UN Maj. Gen. Shavendra Silva being appointed to Special Advisory Group on UN Peace Keeping Operations.

Maj. Gen. Silva commanded the 58 Division (formerly Task Force I), which brought the north-western coast up to Pooneryn under its control before cutting across the Vanni mainland to reach the east coast in early 2009.

The 58 Division also figured in large scale operation in April 2009 that caused a debilitating setback to the LTTE s conventional fighting capability.

A army headquarters spokesman told The Sunday Island that Sri Lankan troops had been deployed under UN command at several countries, with Haiti and Lebanon being the main deployments.

Troops deployed in Lebanon are equipped with armoured fighting vehicles.

In line with UN policy peace keepers rotate every six months. Smaller SL contingents are deployed in Ethiopia, Congo, Burundi, Western Sahara and Sudan. Irrespective of rank, peacekeepers receive approximately $ 1,100 a month.

The Navy and the Air Force, too, contribute personnel for the ongoing Haiti mission.

Asked whether peacekeepers received their salary during overseas deployment under UN command, a senior military official said that they were fully paid, though a part of UN pay received by peacekeepers was utilized by the military for the welfare of personnel.

Lt. Gen. Jayasuriya recently visited troops deployed in Haiti and Lebanon and UN peacekeeping headquarters.

Maj. Gen. Silva told The Sunday Island that even during the height of the ground war against the LTTE (June 2006-May 2009), Sri Lanka maintained its full contingent in Haiti.

He said that the army never contemplated quitting the Haiti mission even though many felt heavy troop commitments on the Vanni front would compel Sri Lanka to pull troops out of the Caribbean.

Sri Lanka joined the UN mission in Haiti during the tenure of the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who believed the country could take advantage of the Norwegian, arranged Ceasefire Agreement to gradually increase its peacekeeping contingent.

Those who had been silent as long as the LTTE held the battle-field advantage were today working overtime against the Sri Lankan government, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson told The Sunday Island. They had been critical of Sri Lanka s recent inclusion in the Special Advisory Group on UN Peace Keeping Operations.

The ministry said that the global community shouldn t allow those prejudiced groups to prevent Sri Lanka from playing a positive role in global peacekeeping operations.

Twelve officers of the Indian Navy, two officers from the Coast Guard and an officer from the Sri Lankan Navy, today (10/02/2012)graduated as Observers in a ceremonial Passing Out Parade at the Naval base here. Rear Admiral S M Vadgaonkar, of Integrated Headquarters Ministry of Defence, reviewed the parade and awarded the 'Wings' to the passing out officers. The officers were trained at Observer School commanded by Commander Vijayant Singh, a Naval press release said. During the 46-week course, the officers were trained in tactics employed in Air Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare and the exploitation of advanced electronic warfare systems in addition to basic training in Air Navigation and flying procedures. These officers would function as the 'The Airbourne Tacticians' onboard Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine warfare aircraft of the Navy, the release said. Assistant Commandant Sunil Negi was awarded Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Eastern Naval command trophy for being adjudged 'Best in Flying' and Uttar Pradesh trophy on being adjudged 'First in the Overall Order of Merit' and Lt G S Rathore was awarded Sub Lt RV Kunte Memorial book prize on being adjudged 'Best in Ground Subjects'. Addressing the parade after presenting the trophies, Rear Admiral S M Vadgaonkar, said the Indian Navy is growing at a fast pace and a wide range of air assests from diverse sources are being inducted. These aircraft would possess the latest and advanced capabilities, he said.

Aviation Minister Piyankara Jayaratne said the country s aviation sector has shown significant improvement when the Government is making a concerted effort to turn Sri Lanka into a regional aviation hub. The Minister told the Sunday Observer that civil aviation has reached international standard due to measures taken by the Government to develop the aviation sector under the Mahinda Chinthana Vision for the Future.

The Minister said when attempts are being made to turn Sri Lanka into a key aviation hub, avenues will be opened for youth to train as pilots. The Ministry has introduced the Guwansara educational program which is focused on delivering basic knowledge in aviation, especially for schoolchildren. Students in the GCE Advanced Level classes will be given a knowledge of the aviation sector. After the GCE Advanced Level examination, opportunity will be provided for them to follow an aeronautical engineering degree in Sri Lanka.

Minister Jayaratne said his intention is to provide the opportunity for children to obtain a degree in aeronautical engineering by 2013. After the three-year degree they will be given practical training in association with the Civil Aviation Authority and the Sri Lanka Air Force to produce skilled pilots. He was of the view that youth from the villages will pass out as pilots in the next six years.

The Minister said if the Opposition submits productive proposals to develop Mihin Lanka, he was ready to accept them. Instead of submitting proposals, the Opposition is busy hatching conspiracies and creating unnecessary problems to reverse the country s forward march. The intention of the Government is to turn Mihin Lanka into a profit-making entity. At present losses incurred by Mihin Lanka has been minimised.

Q: When will Mattala International Airport begin operations? Have international airlines expressed interest in Mattala?

A: We hope to commence operations at the Mattala International Airport by the end of this year. If I take the project plan, nearly 65 percent of the construction work on the airport has already been completed. The construction of 3,500 metre runway is one of the major tasks of this project. But we have been able to complete 90 percent of the construction work of the runway. This 75 metre-wide runway has been designed to handle operations of sophisticated flights such as A380. Two taxiways which are required for this runway will also be constructed. A latest passenger terminal consisting of two aero bridges will also be set up. This terminal will provide facilities to one million passengers annually.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed that the airport should be opened by the end of this year. Because we have to prepare for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which will be held in Sri Lanka next year. Four leading international airlines such as Emirates, Fly Dubai and Monark have already expressed their willingness to operate at Mattala International Airport. In addition discussions are under way to attract more airlines like Qatar Airways and Air Arabia. SriLankan Airlines and Miihin Lanka will also operate from this airport. Sixty percent of the airport will be reserved for cargo handling, while the balance will be for passengers.

Q: What are the expansion plans for Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

A: The number of tourists visiting Sri Lankan has shown a significant improvement. The passenger capacity of the BIA had been increased by nearly 20 percent last year. The BIA had been able to handle the highest capacity of over six million passengers last year. The passenger handling capacity will be further increased this year.

The Government expects the target of 12 million tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka by 2016. The capacity of BIA is not adequate to cater to such a passenger demand. The Ministry with JICA funds intends to commence the second phase of the BIA development project by mid this year. This project is scheduled to be completed by 2016.

The Ministry has already formulated plans in this regard. Arrangements have been made to construct a pier which consists of 16 aero bridges and eight departure halls. Once this project is completed, the capacity of handling passengers of the BIA would be 12 million. At present the BIA is not sufficient to cater to six million passengers.

We have identified an adjacent land belonging to the BOI and to connect that land with the BIA with a bridge and shifting the duty free shops. Arrangements have also been made to set up a transit hotel equipped with 200 rooms within the premises.

Q: Have more international airlines expressed willingness to come here in the wake of peace and the tourism boom?

A: At present we don t have enough space at the BIA. Several international airlines have expressed their willingness to come to Sri Lanka. Aeroflot is flying to Sri Lanka now. We have held discussions with British Airways. We have had discussions with several international airlines and they will fly to Sri Lanka shortly. This will be a revenue earner.

Q: Is there a plan to have an open skies policy or will airlines be allowed to come or operate more flights strictly on a bilateral basis?

A: Following bilateral talks held between the Ministry and Qatar Airways last year, they were given permission to have an open skies policy. At present 450 aircraft fly weekly above Sri Lankan skies. Of this 450 aircraft, the challenge before me is to bring at least 100 aircraft to Sri Lanka. This is open to any airline.

Q: With the tourism boom, there is a huge demand for domestic flights. Are you upgrading domestic airports and facilities? Have there been applications by more companies to start domestic flights?

A: We hope to convert the Ratmalana airport into a City Airport. Having considered the growth made by the tourism industry, four domestic airports will be developed. Under the Budget 2012, to develop domestic airports, Rs. 750 million has been allocated to construct domestic airports in Iranamadu, Nuwara Eliya and Kandy.

To further expand domestic flights, it has been proposed to modernise domestic airports in Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Hingurakgoda, Sigiriya and Anuradhapura. Initiatives will also be taken to further develop Palali and Ratmalana airports.

The Ministry has also decided to set up a domestic airline so that tourists would be able to travel easily within the country. The Ministry is also exploring the possibility of establishing a new domestic airport in Kandy and expects to commence construction of this airport by March this year.

Meanwhile, there is a growing demand for domestic sea plane service.

Q: Are you working on a new civil aviation policy or bringing in new civil aviation laws?

A: We have already focused attention on this. We have published newspaper advertisements to obtain public views. The new civil aviation policy will be drafted taking into consideration the views of the public and will be presented to Parliament with the approval of Cabinet. The Ministry decided to formulate a civil aviation policy, as existing rules and regulation do not suit modern day needs. The Civil Aviation has attained international standards.

According to an audit conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation last year to assess the degree of compliance of international standards and requirements in the country, it was revealed that Sri Lanka has 86.5 percent effective implementation of international standards. This has helped Sri Lanka to achieve first place among South Asian States and fourth place out of 34 States in the Asia Pacific Region.

This is an accomplishment as far as the maintenance of aviation safety standards are concerned where only Korea, Singapore and Japan have been able to surpass the performance level attained by Sri Lanka. 2012 would be significant for Sri Lanka as it completes hundred years in the aviation sector.

An airplane was first brought to Sri Lanka by ship on September 12, 1911 during the regime of Governor Brown. In the near future, we hope to celebrate this event on a grand scale. When the Civil Aviation sector completes a hundred years, it has achieved significant development.

Q: There was a report that your Ministry was going to popularise aviation among students and youth. What is the aim of this program?

A: The number of aircraft in the world will increase by 2030. As a result, the number of hours spent by passengers in aircraft will also increase. Therefore, there is a dearth of required resources for the aviation sector.

It has been identified there will be a shortage of 250,000 pilots in the world by 2030. If we take this as an overall figure with other resources such as aircraft engineers, this amount will go up to nearly 400,000 by 2030.

If we take Sri Lanka as an example, even today nearly 50 percent of our pilots are foreigners. The President has instructed us to introduce a program to provide the opportunity for village youth to become pilots. At present there is no opportunity for village children to become pilots. It is restricted to those who come from the upper segment of society. Those who are fabulously rich can go to America, England or Australia to follow an aeronautical engineering degree. But the President wants to change this trend and provide opportunity to village youth to become pilots.

When attempts are being made to turn Sri Lanka into a key aviation hub, priority will be given to Sri Lankan youth to become pilots.

The Ministry has introduced the Guwansara educational program which is focused on delivering basic knowledge in aviation to schoolchildren. Those who want more information about the Guwansara program can log onto its web site-guwansara.lk. Steps will also be taken to set up Aeronautical Clubs in schools.

Students who are in the G.C.E. Advanced Level classes will be selected and provide with an understanding in the aviation sector. After they complete their G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination, opportunity will be provided to follow an aeronautical engineering degree in Sri Lanka. We have also discussed this matter with Higher Education Minister S.B.Dissanayake as well. My intention is to provide the opportunity for children to follow an aeronautical engineering degree in Sri Lanka by 2013. After they complete their three-year degree, they will be given practical training in association with Civil Aviation Authority and the Sri Lanka Air Force with the intention of producing a good pilot.

We hope pilots will be produced from the villages within the next six years. We also intend to produce all other aviation related resources based on the villages. President has instructed that every possible measures should be taken to produce pilots from the village.

Because if we cater to the international demand of pilots, we should have adequate pilots to fulfil the requirement of our aviation sector as well. The Ministry has also made arrangements to set up an Aviation Academy in Rathmalana by 2013.

Q: There was a report that the Government was considering expanding SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka. Any progress in this regard?

A: Definitely. When President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office SriLankan Airlines had only 12 aircraft. At present this aircraft fleet has been increased up to 20. Our target is to expand this aircraft fleet up to 25 this year. SriLankan Airlines operates without being a burden. It is dependent on services rendered to passengers.

I extend my thanks towards the dedication made by the staff of SriLankan Airlines to bring the airline to a high standard. At present Mihin Lanka has two aircraft. We hope to increase the aircraft fleet to five.

Following bilateral discussions held with various States, we have been able to increase frequencies to those countries.

The passenger revenue of SriLankan Airlines which was Rs. 48,360 million in 2010 has increased to Rs. 60,518 million by 2011. Sri LankanAirlines had reduced its Rs. 2,698 million net loss recorded in 2010 to Rs. 381 million last year. Rs. 1,607 million passenger revenue recovered by Mihin Lanka in 2009/2010 has been increased to Rs. 2,981 million in 2010/2011. In addition, the net loss of Mihin Lanka which was Rs. 1,221 million in 2009/2010 has come down to Rs.938 million in 2010/2011. We intend to further increase the revenue of Mihin Lanka by increasing frequencies.

A new aircraft is expected to be added to Mihin Lanka s aircraft fleet this year. Mihin Lanka intends to commence flights to Sharjah, Calicut, Chennai, Philippines, Bangkok, and Dohar. SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka have agreed to follow the Lodeshare Agreement for frequencies made to several Middle East and Asian destinations as well as all Indian destinations.

Q: Can you outline the plans to make Sri Lanka a regional aviation training hub?

A: Under the Mahinda Chinthana Vision for the Future , our objective is to turn Sri Lanka into a key aviation hub in Asia by 2015. Now we are working towards this target.

At present SriLankan Airlines flies to 60 destinations in 33 countries. When attempts are being made to turn Sri Lanka into an aviation hub, it is a pleasure to note that we would have two international airports by the end of 2012.The Mattala International Airport is scheduled to be opened and commence operations by the end of this year. It would help increase passenger and cargo handling.

The Government intends to develop Mattala International Airport as a centre which can provide technical facilities to many airline services to operate in the South Asian region.

Q: Any plans to upgrade Palaly to the level of an international airport?

A: We have not drawn up such plans so far. I think two international airports are sufficient to cater to the present demand. However, we were slow in setting up the second international airport. During the conflict, we had to turn back some aircraft which came to Sri Lanka and they flew into India due to lack of a second international airport in Sri Lanka. However, the establishment of Mattala International Airport would overcome this situation. The Government has emphasised to develop BIA and Mattala International Airport. Steps will be taken to develop domestic airlines.

Q: Various speculations are made on the huge losses incurred by Mihin Lanka. What is the present position of Mihin Lanka? Is there any plan to merge SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka?

A: There is no possibility to merge these two airlines as they have been registered under two different companies. According to the lodeshare Agreement,two airlines cannot operate jointly. I regret to say that whatever good work is done by the Government,the Opposition always criticises it to gain political mileage.

The Opposition does not think of the country and they attempt to take undue political advantage over any issue. When the Opposition raises questions about Mihin Lanka, I respond to them and tell them to make their proposals.

If the Opposition submits productive proposals to develop Mihin Lanka, I am always ready to accept them. Instead of submitting proposals, they attempt to hatch conspiracies and create unnecessary problems to reverse the country s forward march. The intention of the Government is to turn Mihin Lanka into a profit-making entity.

We have minimised losses incurred by Mihin Lanka. Mihin Lanka is rendering a service without considering profit. The Opposition never asks poor mother or father in the village about facilities provided by Mihin Lanka. Mihin Lanka has given the opportunity to public servants who go on pilgrimage to India and settle payment in 10 instalments. However, Mihin Lanka has been able to reduce losses incurred.

A large number of Opposition Parliamentarians and their families have also flown to several destinations via Mihin Lanka. Is it their hypocrisy that prevents them from appreciating the efficiency and quality of the services provided by Mihin Lanka?

SriLankan Airlines recent batch of cadet pilots were awarded 'Wings' when they passed out as Junior First Officers recently.

A batch of 2010 untrained pilots underwent a stringent one-year training program before qualifying to fly with the national carrier, and obtained a CAASL licence (Civil Aviation Authority) - a globally recognised certification.

The nations' flag carrier recruits two cadet batches each year for training and has a strength of 267 pilots serving in its cadre.

New batch of pilots -

Shehan Fernando, Nimesh Nelson, Dinesha Gunasekera, Tharaka Gunaratne, Anuja de Silva, Kanchana Attanayake, Geethika Weerasinghe, Kasthuri Warnakulasuriya, Bhagya Tennakoon.

'Gagana Sky Aviation Edu', a professional institute providing future pilots with a theoretical background related to the aviation industry, commenced operations at Clifford Avenue, Bambalapitiya on February 2.

Thushara Salgadu, who holds the license from the Sri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority for helicopter and fixed wing aircraft,will coduct lectures at 'Gagana' .

Johnathan Shockman, Director Education and Administration, told the Sunday Observer that though they operate as a ground level training academy to lay a strong theoretical background, they expect to move in to practical training as well.