The second batch of students who followed the "Diploma in Aviation Studies" programme at the Civil Aviation Training Centre (CATC) in 2012 received their Diploma on 11th July 2013 at the Awards Ceremony held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

Chairman AASL, Mr. Prasanna J Wickramasuriya was the Chief Guest. Vice Chairman Mr. Kamal Ratwatte, the Executive Director Mr. Johanne Jayaratne, CEO Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport Mr. Derrick Karunaratne, Heads of division of AASL and the parents of the students were present at the colourful occasion.

Making the introductory remarks, Eng. Athula Seneviratne Head of Civil Aviation Training AASL stated that the CATC is the only aviation training institution in the island that is accredited to the TRAINAIR PLUS programme of the ICAO and that the diploma programme is the only one of its kind delivered by a state institution.

Delivering the ceremonial oration, Chairman AASL Mr. Prasanna Wickramasuriya talked about the challenges the company faced in implementing the project to commission the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport at Hambantota and added that all challenges are opportunities in disguise.

Chief Instructor – Air Traffic Services CATC Mr. Kishantha Nimalaratne who was the Programme Manager for the Diploma Programme presented the awardees to the Chief Guest who garlanded each awardee, symbolizing the award of the diploma. The diploma certificate was presented to each awardee by the Vice Chairman. Merit awards were also made for outstanding performance.

This Diploma programme is of six (06) months duration and is delivered on full time basis annually by the CATC. The entry qualifications are G.C.E. A/L with a credit pass for English at G.C.E O/L. It grooms the participants for supervisory, junior executive and lower middle level managerial positions in the non-skill based trades in the aviation industry and its allied disciplines. The next intake is in the process of being absorbed.