Sri Lanka is set to mark a notable milestone in regional civil aviation, with Captain Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), appointed to serve as a moderator at the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Region (DGCA/61), in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The conference will be held from 7 to 11 September 2026 under the theme “Smart Skies: Emerging Technologies for Safe, Secure, Sustainable & Efficient Aviation.”
Hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), the conference will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur and is expected to bring together more than 400 delegates representing 48 countries, including Directors General of Civil Aviation, senior regulators and aviation industry representatives.
Captain Rambukwella’s role as moderator further strengthens Sri Lanka’s presence within the regional aviation community and builds on his current position as Chairman of the Cooperative Aviation Security Programme – Asia Pacific (CASP-AP).
His selection is particularly significant as it marks the first time a Sri Lankan Director General of Civil Aviation has been entrusted with a moderator role at the DGCA Conference, highlighting the increasing recognition of Sri Lanka’s contribution to aviation cooperation and policy discussions across the Asia-Pacific region.
The DGCA Conference serves as a key strategic forum for civil aviation leaders to discuss regional priorities, regulatory developments, emerging technologies and the future direction of the aviation industry.
As moderator, Captain Rambukwella is expected to facilitate discussions among senior aviation leaders, encourage the exchange of views and contribute to deliberations on issues affecting the safety, security, sustainability and efficiency of civil aviation.
His participation also provides Sri Lanka with an opportunity to strengthen its engagement with regional counterparts and contribute more actively to the development of aviation policy and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
During the conference, Captain Rambukwella is also expected to meet with the Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the President of the ICAO Council.
These engagements will provide further opportunities to strengthen Sri Lanka’s relationship with ICAO and reinforce the country’s participation in the international civil aviation community.
The conference comes at a time when the aviation sector is rapidly adapting to technological innovation, evolving safety and security requirements, sustainability challenges and increasing demands for operational efficiency.
Sri Lanka’s participation at this level reflects the country’s continued commitment to strengthening its aviation sector while contributing to broader regional and global efforts aimed at promoting safe, secure, sustainable and efficient air transport.
Captain Rambukwella’s role at DGCA/61 therefore represents not only personal recognition, but also a significant opportunity to further enhance Sri Lanka’s profile and engagement within the international aviation community.
