The IATA Agents Association of Sri Lanka (IAASL) successfully held its 38th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 17 September 2026 at the Dusit Princess Hotel, Kathmandu, Nepal, bringing together leading representatives of Sri Lanka’s travel trade and key stakeholders from the regional tourism and aviation industry. 

The AGM was attended by representatives from over 60 travel companies, reflecting the strong participation and continued commitment of Sri Lanka’s IATA-accredited travel agency community towards strengthening the country’s outbound travel and aviation sectors. 

The event was graced by Her Excellency Ruwanthi Delpitiya, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, whose presence added significance to the occasion and underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and greater cooperation between Sri Lanka and Nepal in tourism and travel. 

At the AGM, Mr. Mumthazer Mahir, Managing Director of The Travel Port (Pvt) Ltd, was elected as the new President of the IATA Agents Association of Sri Lanka. Mr. Mahir brings with him over 36 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry, with extensive knowledge of outbound tourism, airline distribution and the travel agency sector. 

In his address as the newly elected President, Mr. Mahir expressed his sincere appreciation to the members of the Association for placing their trust and confidence in him. He also paid special tribute to his mentor and Guru, Mr. Rizmi Reyal, Chairman of The Traveller Global (Pvt) Ltd, whom he credited for playing a significant role in mentoring and guiding him throughout his professional journey and inspiring him to pursue a career in outbound tourism. 

Mahir acknowledged the importance of the guidance, mentorship and industry knowledge that have shaped his career, while expressing his commitment to working collectively with members and industry stakeholders to further strengthen and develop Sri Lanka’s travel agency sector. 

The AGM was further strengthened by the presence of a number of distinguished industry stakeholders and tourism representatives, including officials representing SriLankan Airlines, comprising representatives from its General Sales Agent (GSA) and online partner network. Their participation reflected the continued importance of close collaboration between airlines and the travel agency community. 

The event also welcomed representatives from key tourism and industry organisations in Nepal, including the Nepal Tourism Board and the Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA). Their participation provided an important platform for strengthening bilateral industry relations and exploring opportunities for greater cooperation between the Sri Lankan and Nepalese travel and tourism sectors.