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Delivering a speech at the event, SriLankan\'s Country Manager for the UK, Ireland & Scandinavia, Chanaka Olagama disclosed that Sri Lanka\'s national carrier, SriLankan airlines is looking at further long term development with route enhancements, purchasing new air buses and more benefits and services to its passengers. He also said \"With the taking over of the management of the SriLankan airlines by the Government of Sri Lanka plans are in force for further development of the airline with product and route enhancement.\"

He said that during the very brief period that he has been working in the UK he has recognized the valuable services rendered by the Agents and how important the Airline\'s relationship with the agents for the future progress of SriLankan airlines. \"As you all are aware it was on February 4th that I assumed office in London and during this period which is less than two months I have recognized how important you all are to our business. Today these awards are given in recognition of the valuable cooperation you all extended to SriLankan. I am confident that you would continue to support us to overcome together any barriers that stand between you and the airlines\" he noted.

He went on to assure that with the management of SriLankan taken over by the Sri Lankan Government from the Dubai based Emirates airlines from April 1st April, steps are being taken for the airline\'s smooth functioning. \"As you all know by now the Emirates management will pull out from airlines management on March 31st according to the agreement signed between the Emirates and the SriLankan airlines ten years ago and at the time Emirates bought shares of Air Lanka. However Emirates still holds its shares in SriLanka airlines,\" Olagama noted.

He went on to add that during the last ten years Sri Lanka had a strong relationship with Emirates and that SriLankan Airlines acquired a lot of experience during that time. SriLankan Airlines also launched a new Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP), FlySmiLes on April 1, 2008 which offers exciting rewards scheme for all its loyal passengers. The FFP includes a range of benefits, prizes and ways to spend earned air miles.

\"The new frequent flyer programme will have its own unique identity and logo and its membership will be open to passengers who fly SriLankan Airlines to any destination on its route network of 54 destinations,\" Olagama said. The programme will take into consideration the preferences of the airline\'s passengers around the network and it will include a range of new and improved offers to provide more convenience and benefits to frequent flyers. All current Skywards members holding mileage balances will have the option of transferring their miles to the new FFP.

\"We have plans to increase the seating in the Club Class to 30 from the existing 18 and also to change the seating to match flat bed seating. SriLankan airlines is also looking at the possibilities of purchasing more A 340 air buses and the possibilities of expanding the network which was restricted over the last few years. Mr. Olagama said that SriLankan is also exploring possibilities of reintroducing routes to Sydney, Melbourne, Rome and Zurich and to operate more flights to far east such as Bangkok.

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