Historic First: Two Sri Lankan Pilots Command American Airlines Flight

In a proud and historic moment for Sri Lanka, two pilots of Sri Lankan origin shared the cockpit of an American Airlines commercial flight for the very first time. This milestone marks a significant chapter in U.S. aviation history, with both the Captain and First Officer hailing from the island nation.

Lalith Perera, an esteemed alumnus of Dharmaraja College in Kandy, and Pierre Le Bond, a proud product of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, came together in the skies aboard one of the nearly 1,000 aircrafts operated by American Airlines — the world’s second-largest airline.

This extraordinary event not only highlights the global competence of Sri Lankan aviation professionals but also serves as a powerful reminder that Sri Lankans continue to soar in every corner of the world.