Sri Lanka completes 72 years as Contracting State to International Convention on Civil Aviation

By Captain Themiya Abeywickrama 

The world’s safest mode of transport is aviation. This is mainly due to the establishment of a uniform set of standards and rules across the world.

With the conclusion of the Second World War, many international organisations emerged to develop and provide regulatory foresight for different industries. It was felt that a dedicated international organisation to harmonise the rules and regulations in the civil aviation field was also a necessity under the auspices of the United Nations.

Accordingly 52 states gathered in Chicago in the United States to deliberate and agree upon the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The Convention was signed on 7 December 1944 and it is known among the aviation community as the Chicago Convention. The convention resulted in the creation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which is a UN-specialised Agency. 

Currently around 11,000 standards and recommended practices have been issued by the International Civil Aviation Organisation to be followed by the 193 Member States. 

Exactly 72 years ago on a day like today, Sri Lanka became a member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Therefore 1 June 1948 will always be an important day for Civil Aviation in Sri Lanka, which has resulted in the enabling of the country to forge a regulatory path that ensures safety and security in the civil aviation industry. 

During the last 72 years, the Civil Aviation Authority and its predecessor the Department of Civil Aviation has always placed the highest priority in ensuring safety and security in our air space. The Civil Aviation Authority is the government entity delegated with the State responsibility to implement the aforementioned nearly 11,000 standards and recommended practices. 

The authority has been able to secure a very high position in the world in terms of its effective implementation of standards and recommended practices in Sri Lanka, which was revealed in successive audits conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation in 2010 and 2018. 

Similarly the Civil Aviation Authority has been able to ensure that the spread of current COVID-19 pandemic is eliminated when conducting civil aviation activities through the means of proper regulatory implementation. 

As we celebrate this important occasion, I appreciate Prasanna Ranatunga, the Minister of Tourism and Aviation who has at all times extended his support for all our activities. I also thank the current secretary S. Hettiarachchi of the Ministry and all his staff members for their support and guidance. I also appreciate Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Upul Dharmadasa and the other Board Members for the guidance and advice given to uplift the aviation industry to greater heights. 

As we celebrate 72 years in the skies as a member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, our gratitude goes out to all the past and present aviators who have shared their passion to enhance our industry. 

(The writer is the Director General of Civil Aviation/Chief Executive Officer.)