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SriLankan Airlines' massive relief effort has been building up over the last week, and its staff is working around the clock assisting the authorities to repatriate overseas visitors home, fly emergency aid workers and supplies into Colombo from all over the world and launch rehabilitation programmes for the victims of the last Sunday's Tsunami devastation.
The airline is working with embassies and international aid agencies in mobilizing relief and emergency supplies and with the Tourist Board to facilitate the departure of tourists wishing to leave the country.
Airport staff of the airline has been working around the clock to clear the tons of aid already flown into Colombo by the national carrier, other scheduled airlines and charter operators from all parts of the world. Recognizing the sometimes still lengthy process faced by the international aid workers in getting their supplies and equipment cleared through customs, the airline has established a 24 hour canteen in the Cargo warehouse at BIA, to recognize and support the very worthy efforts of these volunteers.
Large backlogs of cargo await shipment at airports in Bangkok , Singapore , Dubai and London and the airline is making every effort to bring this to Colombo as soon as possible. SriLankan Airlines has waived off all handling charges for relief cargo at Colombo 's International Airport as well as providing free carriage on its services.
The airlines' ticket offices and telephone sales departments are working 24 hours a day, to provide immediate assistance to visitors affected by this catastrophe, many of whom have lost of their travel documents. Working closely with local embassies in the case of missing travel documents if necessary, such passengers are accepted for travel without tickets once their original arrival into the country can be established.
SriLankan Air Taxis have been in action supporting the efforts of local authorities in transferring people to remote parts of the country. The Airlines' Cargo Division is also working with Government Departments in transportation urgently needed supplies in its AN-12 freighters to domestic airports around the country from Colombo .
The airline has launched its own internal relief operation, by calling upon the resources of its Country Managers and General Sales Agents world-wide, to mobilize relief aid in their respective territories. Assistance is already flowing in the way of dry rations, milk powder, water and medical supplies. Cash donations, including a day's wages from over 4000 staff is already flowing into the fund. Much of the money collected will be used for rehabilitation work nationally.
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