Team appointed to probe accidents in SL airspace

16 March 2023 05:49 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

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Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva has appointed a team to investigate air accidents in Sri Lanka's airspace for the first time.

Accordingly, letters of appointment were given today to the first batch of Air Accidents Investigators and thereby, seven Air Accident Investigators received letters of appointment from the Minister.

This is the first time in history Sri Lankan aviation services sector Air Accident Investigators were appointed to identify accurate information, investigate the true cause of air crashes and take necessary action to prevent any future disasters in Sri Lanka's airspace.

The Minister said that the regulatory role of the global aviation sector is performed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the regulatory activities of the Sri Lankan aviation sector should follow the ICAO standards.

“For so long, there was no institution or proper program to accurately conduct investigations of accidents involving aircraft had taken place in the domestic airspace,” the Minister said.

He said after an in depth study into the matter, steps have been taken by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka to form an independent pool of Air Accident Investigators is a giant leap forward for the elevation of the Sri Lankan aviation sector.

“Therefore, immediate steps will be taken to amend the Aviation Act to establish the Aviation Accident Investigation Bureau for these activities without delay,” the Minister said.

Training for Air Accident Investigators is conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka adhered to the standards stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The team will function as an independent body under the purview of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation.

Also, the team that is functioning under the Ministry at present, will be known as an Accident Investigation Bureau in the future.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)

Comments - 6

Athk69 Thursday, 16 March 2023 06:25 PM

Nice to have, but is it really necessary? Unless we're expecting a higher number of air accidents due to increased air traffic in SL airspace, this unit won't have much work. Prevention is better than cure. The money spent will be more beneficial on investing in latest air traffic controls and safety systems.

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Prof: W. Vaderwalt Thursday, 16 March 2023 10:01 PM

“Act as independent body under the purview of the Ministry for Ports, Shipping, and Aviation”. An oxymoronic statement with a preview of what is more likely to transpire in reality in the future.

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KP Thursday, 16 March 2023 10:08 PM

If the minister wants to create jobs, there is also no team to investigate road accidents on Saturn.

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Ram Friday, 17 March 2023 02:00 AM

One good move by our sleepy Minister. If the appointees are men of stature in the field they can be even hired by overseas agencies to participate in their teams when they are faced with situations

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K.L Pathirana Friday, 17 March 2023 06:09 AM

More people are killed from the road accidents in one year than the entire aviation history of Sri Lanka combined on our soil. Why not use the resources to train the POLICE and reduce traffic accidents related deaths ? When the brain is in the wrong place and if you're sitting on it, this is what happens

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Adwani Friday, 17 March 2023 06:44 AM

Accidents that occurred on Land are still pending investigations. Such as killing of journalists, sports personalities, disappeareance of 11 youths by SL Navy, muder of Janasakthi director etc.

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