The Chairman of Sri Lanka Airports and Aviation Services (AASL), retired Air Chief Marshal Harsha Abeywickrama, has resigned from his position following a dispute with the subject minister over aviation security regulations.
According to reports, the resignation was triggered by a controversial directive issued by the minister, which the chairman refused to implement. The order reportedly instructed him to issue a permanent airport staff access pass to a Buddhist monk, allowing entry into the airport’s highly sensitive “sterile areas.”
Abeywickrama is said to have rejected the request, stating that such an action would be a direct violation of international security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). He maintained that granting permanent access to restricted zones without proper authorization and clearance procedures would compromise aviation safety and breach established regulations.
Amid the disagreement over security protocols, Abeywickrama submitted his letter of resignation. With immediate effect, the Secretary to the Ministry of Aviation, W.W.S. Mangala, has been appointed as the Acting Chairman of Sri Lanka Airports and Aviation Services.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion within aviation and policy circles, highlighting the growing tension between maintaining international safety standards and political intervention in sensitive operational matters.
Harsha Abeywickrama, a former Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, is widely recognized for his strict adherence to professional integrity and his firm stance on aviation security and regulatory compliance.
