The Colombo–Katunayake route is being reintroduced as part of the government’s program to expand domestic air travel and promote tourism. Cinnamon Airlines, a subsidiary of the John Keells Group, will operate the services.
The inaugural flight, a Cessna 208 aircraft, departed from Katunayake Airport and landed at the Cinnamon Lakeside Pier in Colombo. On board were Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Sunil Jayaratne, and other dignitaries. The flight was piloted by Captain Indika Premadasa with Isuru Munasinghe as Co-Pilot.
Minister Ratnayake said, “With this initiative, we aim to develop domestic air services and encourage more companies to expand operations to regional airports such as Palaly. The government is committed to providing maximum support for such ventures.”
