Sri Lanka, June 17 -- The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to proceed with the preparation of a draft bill aimed at establishing an independent Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIBSL) in Sri Lanka.

Under the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka Act No. 34 of 2002, the Civil Aviation Authority is currently responsible for investigating aircraft accidents and related incidents occurring within Sri Lankan territory.

However, a safety oversight audit conducted in 2010 by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) revealed the absence of an independent process to investigate aircraft accidents and related incidents.

In response, the Cabinet initially granted approval at a meeting held in 2016 to establish an Airc...