'Silk Route' lounge launched

Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Ltd., (AASL) launched the "Silk Route" Lounge- an exclusive pathway that will provide a smooth and hassle-free entrance for Commercially Important Passengers (CIPs) through the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

As guests of the lounge, CIPs will have the opportunity to relax in luxury and comfort and will be provided with an exclusive and expedited immigration and customs process. The "Silk Route" is specially designed so that the ambience is conducive not only for passengers enjoying a short break in journey, but also for those requiring thorough and continuous connectivity.

Chief Guest Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka addresses the gathering. Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka Lal Liyanaarachchi, CEO, Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel Suren J. Amerasekara, Chairperson Sri Lanka Telecom and Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel Leisha de Silva Chandrasena, Chairman Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited Prasanna J. Wickramasuriya, Chairman BOI Dhammika Perera, Executive Director Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited Johanne Jayaratne, Vice Chairman Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited Kamal S. Ratwatte and Director Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel Wijesiri Ambawatta look on.

The "Silk Route" lounge, a vision of AASL for the new post-war Sri Lanka is expected to play a vital role in ensuring the comfort and ease of travel for CIPs. Chairman of AASL, Prasanna Wickramasuriya said: The `Silk Route' is an accomplishment under AASL's belt and will further enhance the standards and appeal of BIA which is already recognised as one of the best airports in the region with over 20 airlines serving more than 31 cities in over 21 countries. With the ending of the terrorist conflict, there is widespread anticipation that foreign investments to Sri Lanka will progressively improve in the near future bringing with it an increased flow of CIPs. Therefore, from Sri Lanka's economic point of view it is important and necessary that state-of-the-art facilities and high service standards are in place to resonate the country's growth potential to these prospective stakeholders." he further added.

Farsightedness

Mobitel, the trusted national mobile services provider, is the proud sponsor of the "Silk Route", and will equip the lounge with free wifi access to these passengers.

The "Silk Route" CIP lounge is expected to create an indelible "first impression" of Sri Lanka and reflect the country's state-of-the-art infrastructure and service standards to potential investors, very important visitors and other important guests. Chairperson of Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, Ms. Leisha de Silva Chandrasena, said "As a group we are delighted to be partnering AASL in this timely venture which is of high significance at a National level.

"AASL should be commended for its farsightedness in taking this initiative in building service infrastructure at a time where the country is showing high potential in terms of growth in tourism and influx of foreign investments due to economic stability anticipated with the ending of the terrorist conflict''.

Suren Amarasekara, CEO of Mobitel, also commenting on the latest lounge at the BIA said "It is a matter of pride and honour to be the sponsor of the "Silk Route". This lounge embodies the excitement and potential prosperity of the new, united and developing Sri- Lanka and we are happy to extend our full services to the AASL in taking this message forward to the world".

Well poised

Mobitel's vision is to lead Sri Lanka towards an information communication and knowledge rich society through its service offerings. With a keen eye for value innovation and equipped with the very latest in mobile technology, Mobitel is well poised to be the face of Sri Lanka's mobile telephony. The company continues to engage in public and private partnerships to further expand its offerings to different market segments.

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd is a fully government owned company with statutory powers to manage and develop civil airports in Sri Lanka.

It is one of the leading public business undertakings making a great contribution to the national economy and it is the institutional mechanism of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) through which economic benefits of civil aviation industry are channelled to the nation's coffers.

The company is among the top most profit-making blue chip companies in Sri Lanka.

It is actively involved in the national infrastructure development drive of the GOSL especially in the field of aviation and the construction of the Southern International Airport at Mattala in the Hambantota District is one of such mega projects, which is currently on its public works schedule.

The company has identified the need for doubling the handling capacity at Bandaranaike International Airport within the next five years and construction works necessary for such capacity enhancement are planned to commence in the near future.

AASL is being transformed into a marketing oriented blue-chip public company capable of withstanding competition and benefit from competitive advantage. The company is planning to promote domestic aviation using the existing infrastructure at civil aerodromes scattered around the country and spread its wings covering the whole island.