Air Lanka was established as the flag carrier of once the Sri Lankan government shut down the bankrupt . Air Lanka's initial fleet consisted of two , leased from . One was leased from Maersk Air and maintained by Air Tara. On 24 April 1980, the lease ended; Air Lanka received a replacement Boeing 737 leased from . On 1 November 1980, Air Lanka commenced wide-body operations with a leased from .