The Sri Lankan government has decided to issue all permits required to operate air ambulances and other emergency flights from the Maldives within two hours.

Previously, it took at least six hours or up to a day to obtain permits to transport patients from the Maldives to Sri Lanka.

While the government begins preparation for Air Ambulance services, the service will be launched between Sri Lanka and the Maldives from March 1, 2024.

The Sri Lankan government decided to reduce the time it takes to obtain a permit to operate an air ambulance to two hours during talks with the government during Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen's visit to Sri Lanka last January.

The Transport Ministry said in a statement today that the Sri Lankan government has made necessary arrangements at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport to do so.

Providing access to better healthcare abroad is a top priority of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. An event has been planned to launch the service at Velana International Airport.