The Government, which lifted the ban on civilian drone operations yesterday, is to introduce new regulations on drone operations, which was banned in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attack in April, last year.
On the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne has issued directives to relevant authorities to lift the ban imposed on drone operations to pre April 21, 2019 with immediate effect. Restrictions on drone operations were imposed under Gazette S/No. 2123/10 issued on May 13, 2019 citing security concerns.
According to instructions, the ban will continue for drone operations in dangerous and restricted flying zones.
All civil drone operators are required to obtain prior approval from the Defence Ministry to fly drones in all zones.
A drone, technically named as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is a flying robot that will be remotely controlled with onboard sensors and GPS, and is widely used for military purposes and civilian activities ranging from search and rescue, surveillance, traffic monitoring, weather monitoring and firefighting.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Director Operations Lushan Fernando told defence.lk with the lifting of the ban, there will be regulatory changes on some categories of drones prior to getting them registered in the CAA. He said each drone operator had to get clearance from the Defence Ministry and come to the CAA with the drone to be registered in its database. “We have to check the drone, its weight, camera, etc before granting permission. A sticker will be issued for approved drones to operate,” he said.
According to Fernando, under new regulations drone operators will be given permission by the CAA to operate only in the requested location, for the mentioned purpose and time period.
He said there is a significant demand for flying drones from media institutions, foreigners, wedding videographers, photographers and commercial advertising companies. - Shanika Sriyananda