A Ministry of Defence review of Sri Lanka’s domestic aviation sector has considered a proposal to build a dedicated helicopter landing facility within Colombo Port City, aimed at supporting business travel, tourism, executive transport and emergency response.
The progress review meeting was chaired by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.) and brought together representatives from the Sri Lanka Navy, Air Force and Police, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd (AASL), the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the Aircraft Operators and Owners Association, according to the Daily Mirror and the Ministry of Defence.
Officials said the discussions focused on balancing operational efficiency in domestic aviation with national security requirements, including improved security-clearance procedures, streamlined operations and better airspace management. The Aircraft Operators and Owners Association told the meeting that nearly 90% of long-standing regulatory issues affecting the sector had now been addressed.
The proposed Port City helipad would give the flagship offshore business district — built on reclaimed land off Colombo’s coast — a direct air link for corporate and emergency use. The Defence Secretary instructed the relevant authorities to further evaluate the proposal in consultation with all stakeholders, citing its potential strategic importance to the country’s aviation infrastructure.
The review reflects a broader push to modernise Sri Lanka’s civil aviation framework while maintaining air-defence and security standards. Authorities said work on clearing remaining regulatory bottlenecks would continue.
