Sri Lanka is set to conduct its first official trial of an electric-powered, unmanned passenger drone service today (11) at the Colombo Port City premises, the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has announced.
The initiative aims to introduce Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) technology, a new generation of aviation technology designed to transport passengers without requiring conventional runways.
According to the Ministry, China's EHang, a company specialising in autonomous passenger-carrying aircraft, held a special discussion with Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka, Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Ministry Secretary W.W.S. Mangala and officials of the Civil Aviation Authority in August to explore the possibility of introducing the technology in Sri Lanka.
The eVTOL aircraft can take off and land vertically, making them suitable for operations in areas where conventional runways are unavailable. Discussions have focused on their potential applications in tourism, passenger transportation and emergency services.
The project will initially be conducted as a testing programme rather than a commercial passenger service. The Ministry plans to carry out trials at Port City over a period of approximately six months.
An EHang E216 passenger drone, capable of carrying two people, has already been brought to Sri Lanka for the testing programme.
The aircraft features 16 propellers, 12 battery packs, three flight-control systems and a computer-based control system. It is operated remotely from a central control station, while its autonomous safety mechanisms are designed to activate appropriate emergency procedures in the event of an accident or communication failure.
The introduction of this technology will require coordination among several government institutions, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka Air Force, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Colombo Port City Commission, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Board of Investment and airport authorities.
The Ministry expects the technology to create new opportunities for the tourism industry, particularly by providing visitors with access to destinations such as Sigiriya, Pidurangala and various island locations.
The initiative could open up a new market for tourism transportation while introducing advanced autonomous aviation technology to Sri Lanka.
The EHang E216 uses autonomous eVTOL technology, combining electric propulsion, multiple propellers, onboard flight-control systems and remote operation to enable runway-free passenger transport.
