Communication Engineering Section – Ratmalana
At Colombo Airport, Ratmalana, the Communication Engineering Section looks after the systems that let controllers see, hear and exchange data with aircraft across the Colombo Flight Information Region.
Area Control Centre upgrade
The Area Control Centre (ACC) at Ratmalana was upgraded in the mid-2000s with a fully integrated Air Traffic Management system, EUROCAT 1000. The system brings oceanic and radar control together, and adds Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS) and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) functions.
Surveillance and data-link tools give controllers a clearer picture of traffic over the ocean, where radar coverage does not reach.
International message switching
One international switching node of the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN) is located at the Area Control Centre in Ratmalana. Flight plans, weather and operational messages pass through this node between Sri Lanka and the rest of the world.
Other systems maintained here
- Laser-guided aircraft docking system
- Automatic Weather Observation System (AWOS)
- Trunk communication system
Engineers in the section carry out preventive maintenance, fault diagnosis and calibration so that each system stays available and meets the standards set by ICAO.