Bilateral discussion on a new Air Services Regime with China

COLOMBO:A delegation lead by Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Aviation Tilak Collure and comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Civil Aviation Authority, Attorney General's Department and SriLankan Airlines, will visit Beijing from March 15 to 16 to discuss matters pertaining to an enhanced air services regime between the two countries.

This meeting is viewed as an immediate follow up to the recently concluded visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to China to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which paved the way towards further enhancing the political and economic ties between Sri Lanka and China.

During the Presidential visit, the two sides agreed to further strengthen the exchange of cooperation in culture, tourism and in other agreed areas. Enhancement of air services would be an important step in the development of such cooperation.

The aviation relationship between Sri Lanka and China was established in 1959 with the signing of a Bilateral Air Services Agreement. It was only in 2005, however, that direct air links were established between the two countries, when SriLankan Airlines, commenced thrice weekly flights to Beijing.

Sri Lanka has recently concluded several liberal Air Services Agreements with countries in the South East Asian Region, viz. Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, in keeping with the growing liberal aviation environment.

The forthcoming meeting will focus on enhancing frequencies to points in China, and to maximise the tourism potential, particularly in the context of the Approved Destination Statues Agreement signed between Sri Lanka and China.