Sri Lanka signed Bilateral Air Services Agreement with Ukraine
04thAugust 2011
Bilateral Agreement on Air Services between Sri Lanka and Ukraine was signed at the Ministry of Transport of Ukraine on 04th of August 2011. The agreement was signed by Hon. Piyankara Jayaratne, Minister of Civil Aviation on behalf of Sri Lanka and Mr. Anatoli Kolinsnyk, Chairman of the State of Aviation Administration of Ukraine on behalf of Ukraine, in the presence of H.E. Mr. Udayanga Weeratunga, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation (Concurrently accredited to Ukraine) and Mr. Dhammika Attygalle adviser to Minister of Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka
Addressing the occasion, Hon Minister Jayaratne, explained the progress of the new eco-friendly international airport in Hambantota which is done without disturbing the environment with all modern facilities and in accordance with the ICAO standards.
Hon. Minister appreciated the commencement of flight operations of Ukraine International Airlines to Sri Lanka; as a result of bilateral talks conducted, during the visit of H.E. the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2010.
A special invitation was extended to Hon. Minister to visit Ukraine for the European Cup Football Tournament, which will be held in 2012.
Afterward Hon. Piyankara Jayaratna, Minister of Civil Aviation met with Mr. Alexender Avdeev, General Director of Aerosvit Ukrainian Airlines, during his visit to Ukraine on 04th August 2011.
While being pleased about the bilateral agreement on air services between Sri Lanka and Ukraine, Mr. Avdeev stated that AeroSvit Ukraine Airline will commence flights between Kiev and Colombo in the near future strengthening the air services between two countries.
He further revealed that Aerosvit Company will increase the frequency of flights 2 to 3 per week considering the number of tourists traveling to Sri Lanka from Ukraine.
The Hon. Minister explained the facilities provided to the tourist arriving to Sri Lanka and also the infrastructural development taking place to achieve the goal of attracting 2 million tourists to Sri Lanka by 2016. He also thanked the Aviation industry of Ukraine for facilitating the Ukrainian tourists to Sri Lanka.
The General Director of AeroSvit Airlines, promised to provide all technical and non- technical support to SriLankan Airlines if the airline commences flights to Borispol International Airport in Kiev. He also stated that the company is willing to commence flights to Europe in collaboration with SriLankan Airlines. Appreciating the offer, Hon. Minister Jayartne stated that the matter will be discussed with the Government and the national carrier and agreed to make necessary arrangements in the near future.
The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Russia (Concurrence accredited to Ukraine) H.E. Mr. Udayanga Weeratunga and Mr. Dhammika Attygalle adviser to Minister of Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka were also attended the meeting.
