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SriLankan Airlines Regional Manager Sri Lanka and Indian Ocean Jayantha Abeysinghe and Manager Maldives Fawzan Fareid receiving the ‘Visitors Choice – Airline of the Year’ award
SriLankan Airlines Head of Worldwide Sales and Distribution Dimuthu Tennakoon accepting the ‘President’s Gold Award’ from Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
SriLankan Airlines walked away with the prestigious ‘President’s Gold Award’ at the Golden Jubilee of the Maldives tourism industry and the ‘Visitors Choice – Airline of the Year’ award at the 6th South Asian Travel Awards (SATA).
The President’s Gold Award was conferred in recognition of SriLankan’s outstanding service to the Maldivian tourism industry for half a century, whilst the winners of SATA were selected by a regional panel of judges and through votes cast online by passengers. The wins prove once again that SriLankan Airlines remains a powerhouse in commercial aviation in the region.
The President’s Gold Award for Tourism was presented at the Golden Jubilee Gala of Maldivian Tourism held on 3 October. SriLankan Airlines was among a handful of recipients recognised for contributing exceptionally to develop tourism in the Maldives. SriLankan Airlines Head of Worldwide Sales and Distribution Dimuthu Tennakoon accepted the award from the President of the Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The South Asian Travel Awards have been endorsed by over 16 regional and international bodies, and aims to raise industry standards by recognising stellar organisations within the hospitality and travel trade in South Asia. Launched in 2016, SATA has grown steadily over the years attracting the participation of some of the biggest names in the trade from India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Maldives Vice President Faisal Naseem, Tourism Minister Dr. Abdullah Mausoom, and SATA Chairman Ismail Hameed were present at this year’s ceremony which took place on 29 September. Representing SriLankan Airlines at the event were Regional Manager Sri Lanka and Indian Ocean Jayantha Abeysinghe, and Manager Maldives Fawzan Fareid, who accepted the award on behalf of the airline.
The two awards won by SriLankan Airlines is a testament to the airline’s strength and stability in South Asia. The airline currently operates 90 flights a week to nine cities across India, seven weekly flights each to Bangladesh and Pakistan, and five weekly flights to Nepal.
SriLankan Airlines has also maintained a significant presence in the Maldives over the years, and is the only airline to operate to two destinations in the Maldives at present – Male and Gan Island. The airline flies 23 times a week to the Maldives, providing easy connections to passengers from Europe and the Middle East via Colombo and has played a pivotal role in shaping the island country’s success as one of the most sought-after holiday destinations.
