Lankan skies safe - ICAO

The results released by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) after carrying out a comprehensive system audit on State capabilities for the conduct of Aviation Security Oversight, showed that the degree of compliance of Sri Lanka with International Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) relating to aviation security projects is above the global average.

The ICAO is an organisation of States responsible for setting of SARPS relating to international civil aviation. It is also the UN body specialising in civil aviation. ICAO has 191 members.

The most recent aviation security audit on Sri Lanka shows a significant performance of Sri Lanka in aviation security oversight activities with 85 percent compliance with security- related SARPs as against the world average of 67percent for 145 States, which have been audited.

"The audit results give an assurance to the travelling public that the 'Lankan Skies are secure'", a spokesman said.

Sri Lanka has already filed with ICAO, a Corrective Action Plan for rectification of the deficient areas identified during the audits and those Corrective Action Plans have been accepted by the ICAO to be satisfactory. The newly established Aviation Screener Certification Program enriches all aviation security personnel with the personal licensing, which meets ICAO standards.

"'Safety and Security' will give added confidence to foreign airlines about the safety and security standards in Sri Lanka to carry on their business in Sri Lanka", the spokesman said.