SriLankan Airlines Delights Samanera Monks with Special Airport Tour
SriLankan Airlines, in coordination with Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited, created a milestone on 22nd August 2024. A group of Samaneras or child monks, received a special guided tour at the airport, and it was their very first experience to board an aircraft. This event coincides with the airline's 45th anniversary on 1st September 2024, adding to the airline's history.
The little monks, aged five and above, originated from the Ganewatta Purana Rajamaha Viharaya in Waskadubedda, Deldoova, Kalutara. They were chaperoned by several Venerable Theros and a team of volunteers sponsored by SriLankan Airlines.
Along the way, employees from Bandaranaike International Airport exposed the team to different ground-handling activities. The high point for many of the young monks was actually boarding a SriLankan Airlines Airbus A320 which was parked at the tarmac giving each young monk their first experience of both the airport environment and boarding an aircraft.
The Samaneras and Theros, however, were given a special almsgiving (Dana) and pirikara at the airport’s Silk Route Arrival Lounge while keeping with religious traditions. The almsgiving took place in the presence of SriLankan staff volunteers, members of the airline’s senior management, and senior managers from Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka).
