Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Myanmar Janaka Bandara held a meeting with the top management of Myanmar Airways International on 12 May 2023, with the view of establishing direct air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Myanmar. 

Chairman Aung Aung Zaw and Chief Commercial Officer Tanes Kumar represented Myanmar Airways International in the discussion.

The Ambassador highlighted the significance of direct air connectivity in promoting the tourism industries of both destinations.  It was underlined that travelers between the two countries were wasting considerable time at transits while the flight time is just less than three hours.  The Ambassador assured that there would be a sizeable traffic up and down between these two significant destinations underpinned by historical, cultural and religious affinities.

In this discussion, the Ambassador requested to establish a regular charter flight between Yangon and Colombo and proposed to extend the Yangon – Chennai flight up to Colombo.

The Ambassador further suggested exploring the feasibility of having a circuit connecting Colombo – Yangon – Bodhgaya or Colombo – Yangon – Kathmandu with the view of gaining economic benefit out of the religious significance of these countries.

The CCO was positive towards the suggestions and agreed to work on them.  He further agreed to see the possibility of arranging charter flights between Yangon and Colombo during the month of August, enabling the Myanmar pilgrims to go to Kandy to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic Temple “Sri Dalada Maligawa” and see “Asela Perahera” cultural pageant.

The proposal to establish direct air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Myanmar had been discussed at many high level forums in both countries.