Govt. lifts ban on drone operations

• Ban was put in place after Easter Sunday bombings
• New regulations to be enforced

The Government yesterday lifted a ban on civilian drone operations, which was imposed in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bombings in April last year. 

The Government halted civilian drone and aviation operations after the attack citing security concerns. 

Domestic aviation operations were given the green light a few months after the bombing but the ban on drone operations remained. 

Commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as ‘drones’, have the potential to be a ‘game-changer’ in many fields. Ranging from terrain mapping for disaster planning, agricultural crop management, remote sensing, fast courier services, scientific research, media coverage, and medical applications, the list is endless.

The lifting of the ban will see some regulatory changes. The CAA will begin re-registration of some categories of drones which will require the drone to be inspected and licenced by the regulatory body, said CAA Director – Flight Operations Lushan Fernando.