Sri Lanka, Dec. 8 -- Jetstar has announced it will offer flights from Australia to Sri Lanka for the first time in in August next year.

The company is expected to launch the service from Melbourne to the South Asian nation's capital, Colombo from August 25 next year.

If successful, the airline would be the first Australian airline to operate the route, flying three times a week between Melbourne and Colombo with potentially more than 100,000 seats a year.

Jetstar chief executive officer Stephanie Tully said the airline's Melbourne to Colombo route will give Australians a new, direct and affordable way to take off more to Sri Lanka.

"Colombo is an incredible destination, and from August next year, we're excited to be making it easier f...