By The Pulseline News Desk
Sri Lanka has conducted its first official demonstration of a pilotless passenger transport drone at Colombo Port City, marking an initial step towards introducing autonomous electric air transport for passengers, tourism and emergency services.
Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka took a ride aboard the aircraft during the demonstration held today (11), attended by Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku and several other officials.
Describing his experience after landing, Minister Karunathilaka told reporters: “It felt like I was flying.”
Deputy Minister Kodithuwakku said commercial passenger transport operations using drones are expected to commence within the next six months.
The demonstration follows discussions held in August between senior Sri Lankan officials and representatives of Chinese passenger drone manufacturer EHang on introducing electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft to Sri Lanka.
The proposed technology is expected to have applications beyond passenger transportation, including tourism services and emergency response operations.
The initiative is initially being implemented as a pilot project, with a six-month testing programme planned at Colombo Port City before commercial operations are introduced.
An EHang E216 two-seater passenger drone was recently imported to Sri Lanka for the trial programme.
The aircraft is designed to operate without an onboard pilot and is equipped with 16 propellers, 12 battery sets, three flight-control systems and an integrated central computer system.
It is remotely operated through a centralised control station, while its automated safety mechanisms are designed to respond to emergencies and disruptions in communication.
However, introducing the technology into Sri Lanka’s transport network will require coordination among several regulatory, security and aviation authorities.
Institutions involved in the initiative include the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka Air Force, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Port City Economic Commission and relevant tourism and investment authorities.
The six-month trial will provide an opportunity to assess the aircraft’s operational capabilities and safety arrangements within the local regulatory environment ahead of any commercial rollout.
The proposed introduction of passenger drones would add a new dimension to Sri Lanka’s aviation and tourism sectors, although the commencement of commercial services will depend on the successful completion of testing and the necessary regulatory approvals.
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