The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation reports that there is currently a shortage of air traffic controllers in Sri Lanka.
Although there should be 150 air traffic controllers in the country, it is stated that currently only 80 controllers are working there.
Due to this problem, foreign countries have to provide the airspace service for the planes passing through Sri Lanka.
It is also reported that under this situation only the control of the planes landing and leaving the country is done and the controls related to the international planes have to be withdrawn as well.
It is said that this problem has arisen because the employees who worked as air traffic controllers in Sri Lanka have left Sri Lanka considering the money and other privileges provided by foreign countries.
However, if flight control is lost to Sri Lanka, it is said that the loss to Sri Lanka will be about 25,000 US dollars and the maximum service time available from existing employees will be limited to 12 hours.
In the meantime, it is also reported that if sanctions are imposed for the violation of international laws, India and Australia will be able to control the aircrafts passing through Sri Lanka.
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