Lal Perera, SriLankan's Head of Worldwide Sales, said on the occasion that SriLankan Airlines considers Pakistan as an extremely important market.

He pointed out that the Airlines started operations to Karachi way back in 1980 and now have daily flights between Karachi and Colombo.

"We look forward to a new era in our operations in Pakistan with the appointment of TCB Aviation as our GSA", Perera further remarked.

Lalith De Silva, Regional Manager Indian Subcontinent, said that with our policy of having daily frequencies to as many cities in our global route network as possible, Sri Lankan Airlines provides rapid connections in Colombo for Pakistani travellers bound for the Far East and Male for business and leisure travel.

He was of the view that the Airlines also provides rapid and convenient air cargo options for Pakistan's export industries which are very popular, especially for perishables and textiles to the Far East.

It was pointed out that growing market opportunities in Pakistan resulted in SriLankan Airlines exceeding its own passenger targets by an impressive 13% in 2011/12, and cargo targets by an astounding 81 %.

Sri Lanka's National Carrier has reinvented itself over the past year, almost doubling its aircraft fleet and transforming the passenger cabins of its long-haul aircraft.

Its global route network now spans some 60 destinations in 33 countries.

SriLankan Airlines recently became a member-elect of the prestigious airline alliance `oneworld', which recognised it as the fastest growing airline in the South Asian region, it was further pointed out.