The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has announced plans to begin a passenger drone pilot project next month, operated by Chinese company EHang, with initial routes connecting Colombo to southern coastal areas and Katunayake to Port City.

Sri Lanka is preparing to introduce its first passenger drone service, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation. Deputy Minister Ruwan Kodithuwakku confirmed that the pilot project will launch next month and be operated by EHang, a Chinese drone manufacturer.

The initial phase of the service will establish routes from Colombo to destinations along the southern coast, as well as a connection between Katunayake and Port City. The drones will be remotely operated from a centralized control facility using artificial intelligence technology, rather than requiring on-board pilots.

According to the Deputy Minister, the government envisions multiple applications for the service beyond passenger transport. The initiative is expected to strengthen tourism offerings, provide rapid response capabilities during natural disasters and emergencies, and support operations within the maritime sector for navigation purposes.

The announcement represents a significant step toward modernizing Sri Lanka's transportation infrastructure and positioning the country as an early adopter of emerging aerial mobility technology in the region.