Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka (AASL), in a strategic partnership with Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, 
announced the launch of Silk Route, the Departure Lounge, at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). Priyankara Jayaratne, Minister of Civil Aviation, ceremonially opened the new Departure Lounge.
Speaking at the event, the Minister said that in order to realise Sri Lanka’s aspirations to become the Wonder of Asia, the aviation sector must be developed. He added, “Transforming the Bandaranaike International Airport into one of the best airports in Asia is a milestone in that journey and we are well on our way towards achieving that goal.”
As exclusive guests of the Silk Route Lounge, Commercially Important Passengers (CIPs) have the opportunity to relax in luxury and comfort while enjoying the convenience of an expedited check-in, immigration and customs process. The Silk Route Departure Lounge is specially designed to provide convenience that highlights guest comfort at all times.
Mobitel, partnering with AASL in this endeavour, will equip the lounge with state-of-the-art communication services including free Wi-Fi access to passengers enjoying the exclusive benefits provided at the lounge. 
The Silk Route Departure Lounge is expected to create an indelible impression of Sri Lanka and its renowned hospitality, while reflecting the country’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and service standards to potential investors, very important visitors and other important guests.
At the launch ceremony, Prasanna Wickramasuriya, Chairman of AASL said, “We believe that the addition of the Silk Route Departure Lounge will further enhance the standards and appeal of the Bandaranaike International Airport, which is already considered one of the best airports in the region. With the recent influx of tourists into our country, it is important that state-of-the-art facilities and high service standards are in place to resonate the nation’s growth potential to prospective stakeholders. Prior to their departure from our country, our main objective is to ensure that their brief stay in the lounge is both relaxing and luxurious while giving them a final glance into the true Sri Lankan hospitality that our country is widely renowned for.”
Nimal Welgama, Chairman of 
Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, speaking about the new lounge said, “Having partnered with AASL in 2009 for the opening of the arrival lounge, Mobitel is proud to further strengthen its partnership and consider it a great honour to be the official sponsor and telecommunications partner for the Silk Route Departure Lounge at the BIA, a globally acknowledged intersection for potential investors, Commercially Important Passengers and other significant visitors travelling to and from Sri Lanka.”
