COLOMBO (News 1st); Colombo International Airport of Ratmalana (CIAR) re-commenced its scheduled international regional flight operations after five decades.

The national carrier of Maldives, Maldivian, launched the international regional flight operations between its main hub, Velana Airport and Colombo International Airport – Ratmalana today (27).

Accordingly, the inaugural flight from Male to Colombo was welcomed by a celebratory water cannon salute upon arrival at CIAR. The passengers were warmly welcomed and presented with gift packs from the Sri Lanka Tea Board followed by a traditional Kandyan dance performance.

Maldivian operates scheduled flights on a Dash-8 aircraft with 50 seats between Sri Lanka and the Maldives three times a week and the frequency will be increased up to five flights from May 2022 onwards.

• Newsline – Corruption Challenges Growth & Governance
• Sri Lanka systematically violated human rights – FIDH
• President orders to further curtail government expenditure
• Driver steers bus to the side of a mountain as brakes fail, averts mishap
• Bangladesh secures $4.7 bln from IMF