𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐀𝐯𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Mr. Chandana De Silva - Area Manager of Emirates for Sri Lanka and Maldives
The IAAC Awards Council has the distinct honor of inducting Mr. Chandana De Silva into the Sri Lanka Aviation Hall of Fame for 2023, in recognition of his unique and indelible contribution to the Aviation industry in Sri Lanka.
Chandana De Silva studied at St. Peters College, Colombo and started working in the aviation field for almost 4 decades. Joining Sri Lankan Airlines as a Manager, his tenure saw him rise to the position of Head of Corporate Communications of Sri Lankan Airlines. Most recently he joined Emirates Airlines. In one of the highest positions in the Airline and is currently working as the ‘Area Manager of Emirates for Sri Lanka and Maldives’. Amongst his many achievements in the Aviation industry, Mr. De Silva was instrumental in the opening of Emirates First branch office in Kandy. Under Mr. De Silva’s stewardship, the Emirates Sri Lanka station won the Outstanding Achievements Award in the Passenger category. A man of many his passions and interests, one of the most fascinating aspects of this unique gentleman is his repertoire for unique skills and hobbies, such as
• Rally driver
• holder of a private pilot license
• Golfer
• Avid Gardner
• Loves old Sinhala songs
• Passionate singer and dancer
The personification of versatility, Mr. De Silva in his own word describes his music career “If I go back to the late seventies or the early eighties, my biggest passion was music – singing and I played for the band called Topaz, which was very popular among music lovers at the time. I love that part of my life even though I am working for an airline. Music was very closer to my heart”. As a member of the Topaz band, he has played at several open-air shows in almost all parts of the country and were most noted for paying as the second band of Gypsies or Super Golden Chimes.
Mr. Rizmi Reyal - Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director of The Traveller Global Pvt Ltd
The IAAC Awards Council has the distinct honor of inducting Mr. Rizmi Reyal into the Sri Lanka Aviation Hall of Fame for 2023, in recognition of his unique and indelible contribution to the Aviation industry in Sri Lanka.
Rizmi Reyal, is the Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director of The Traveller Global Pvt Ltd., was established in 1989. From humble beginnings, Mr. Reyal has overseen the growth of The Traveller Global over a span of three decades into a leading inspiration to the Aviation and Travel & Tourism industry in Sri Lanka. The Company with its branch offices in major cities in Sri Lanka and overseas has accumulated numerous achievements and milestones for its service excellence in its lifetime. The obligation of Mr. Reyal and his team is to ensuring maximum customer satisfaction, leadership abilities and strong humanitarian qualities has won the hearts of their patrons. While the global pandemic and the nation’s economic crisis in the country brought country to a stand still and the corporate world faced many challenges. Mr. Reyal, stood as a shining example that nothing is impossible. Mr. Reyal’s visionary approach and unwavering determination has helped the Organization and community to stay ahead and lights the way to a united progressive front.
Mr. Sunil Malawana - Managing Director- Speedmark Transportation Ltd
The IAAC Awards Council has the distinct honor of inducting Mr. Sunil Malawana into the Sri Lanka Aviation Hall of Fame for 2023, in recognition of his unique and indelible contribution to the Aviation industry in Sri Lanka.
Mr.Sunil Malawana was always an inspired individual, driven by passion and a desire to stand amongst the giants of the freight forwarding industry, a journey that led to him becoming one of the nation’s foremost leaders and a giant in his own right in the freight forwarding industry. Inspiration never ceased for Mr.Malawana as his favorite hobby of music also led to him becoming one of the nation’s most popular musicians. From his beginning as a musician, he transitioned into the Garment Manufacturing sector and then to freight forwarding when he established Speedmark Transportation (Pvt.) Ltd. An international freight forwarder that pioneered supply chain management in Sri Lanka.
Since its inception, Mr. Malawana has helmed Speedmark and guided the company from a fledgling freight forwarded with just 7 employees to one of the Nation’s largest freight specialists, with over 150 employees, ranked among top 3 freight forwarders by IATA for the last two decades.
Mr. Ramzeen Azeez - Retired Asst. Airport Manager
The IAAC Awards Council has the distinct honor of inducting Mr. Ramzeen Azeez into the Sri Lanka Aviation Hall of Fame for 2023, in recognition of his unique and indelible contribution to the Aviation industry in Sri Lanka.
“Give your best to whatever job you do. Civil Aviation is a as cinating and an adventurous career”. Mr. Ramzeen Azeez, is one of the most senior members of Sri Lanka’s Aviation industry, with well over a half century of experience under his belt. Soaring high on the wings of a career that took off in 1969 when he took up his first posting as a Radio Technician at the Department of Civil Aviation, Mr. Azeez’s career has taken him across the globe including training assignments in France, UK, USA, Canada, Singapore, and Pakistan, and job postings in Riyad,Saudi Arabia.
An individual of unwavering drive and determination Mr. Azeez rose to the rank of Airport Manager (BIA) in 2005. True to his nurturing spirit, Mr. Azeez has devoted the latter years of his career to his passion for teaching. Always the educator, Mr. Azeez never passed on an opportunity to educate the youth in Sri Lanka, or as he more affectionately referred to them “The Future of Aviation”. Known fondly as Azeez Sir by his students at the IAAC and in his other teaching assignments, he is beloved by all and looked upon as an expert in the aviation industry, whose expertise is only rivalled by the many.
Mr. Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC Sri Lanka
The IAAC Awards Council has the distinct honor of inducting Mr. Mohan Pandithage into the Sri Lanka Aviation Hall of Fame for 2023, in recognition of his unique and indelible contribution to the Aviation & Shipping Industry in Sri Lanka.
Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC. He has served as a Board Director of Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Jaya Container Terminals Ltd, and is currently a Director of Sri Lanka Port Management Consultancy Services Ltd. He is a former Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Ceylon Association of Ships’ Agents and serves on its Advisory Committee. Mr. Pandithage was adjudged the Best Shipping Personality in 2004 by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Sri Lanka. In addition, he serves as a Board Director at Diesel & Motor Engineering Co. PLC.
Mr. Peter Hill, Vice President - Passenger Operations Fits Air
The IAAC Awards Council has the distinct honour of inducting Mr. Peter Hill into the Sri Lanka Aviation Hall of Fame for 2024, in recognition of his unique and indelible contribution to the aviation industry in Sri Lanka.
The IAAC Awards Council has the distinct honour of inducting Mr. Peter Hill into the Sri Lanka Aviation Hall of Fame for 2024 in recognition of his unique and indelible contribution to the aviation industry in Sri Lanka. The journey began in 1961 when he joined British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), now known as British Airways, as a commercial trainee.
In 1974, he took his expertise to Gulf Aviation in Bahrain, playing a key role in establishing Gulf Air.
By 1978, Hill had found himself in Dubai, contributing to the birth of Emirates Airlines. As part of a pioneering team at Dnata, he played a crucial role in presenting Emirates’ first business plan. His journey continued at Emirates, where he served as the commercial manager until 1996. His strategic vision helped shape the early success of this now-global airline.
In 1998, a new chapter unfolded as he took on the CEO role at Sri Lankan Airlines. Over the next 10 years, he led the airline through rebranding, restructuring, and profitability. Under Hill’s watch, Sri Lankan Airlines became a hub for South Asia, achieving profitability in eight out of the 10 years, without additional funding.
Fast forward to 2008, and Hill’s expertise as an airline maestro led him to assume the position of CEO at Oman Air, where his leadership has been instrumental in shaping the sultanate’s flag carrier.
For over 50 years, Peter Hill’s journey through British Airways, Gulf Air, Emirates, Sri Lankan Airlines, and Oman Air is a testament to his enduring impact on the aviation industry.”