SriLankan Airlines (UL, Colombo International) requires at least seven additional aircraft to rationalise its network and open new routes, though global supply shortages are hampering efforts to secure these units, according to deputy minister of ports and civil aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodituwakku.

Speaking to local outlet Daily Mirror, Kodituwakku stated that the state-owned carrier needs "at least one or two [aircraft] immediately" but noted that securing dry leases remains difficult due to high market demand. In the coming weeks, the government plans to launch a "special procurement process" to resolve the availability issue.

Chairman Sarath Ganegoda said, given SriLankan Airlines' current fleet size, that diversifying into manufacturers other than Airbus would not be feasible. Currently, the entire fleet of the airline is dry-leased.

ch-aviation fleets data shows that the carrier operates a 23-strong, all-Airbus fleet, comprising seven A320-200s, two A320-200Ns, four A321-200Ns, three A330-200s, and seven A330-300s. It has a standing commitment for four A350-900s, but has long been open about plans to cancel this order and is not expected to take deliveries of the aircraft.

Ganegoda told The Sunday Morning newspaper that the airline aims to introduce new routes and increase frequencies on existing services where it does not currently operate daily.

Separately, Kodituwakku confirmed that the government is currently shortlisting applications for the airline's chief executive position.