By Charles Haviland BBC News, Colombo

The travel wing is the latest sphere of civilian society in which the armed forces are adopting new roles

It is the latest sphere of civilian society in which the armed forces are adopting new roles, nearly two years after the military victory over the Tamil Tiger separatists.

The army says its Commander had the idea for this new ticketing agency last year because of the many army officers going on overseas assignments.

But with the opening of its new office next to the Air Force headquarters, it has decided to open its services to the general public.

Pakistani example

It offers air tickets and holiday package tours to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and China and a Buddhist pilgrimage to India and Nepal.

Air Travel Services (Pvt) Ltd offers special holiday packages to China, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangkok and specially organized pilgrimages to Dambadiwa, India Sri Lanka army website

The travel agency’s website shows generic pictures of smiling travel agents and one of the Defence Secretary, who opened the new office on Monday.

The site advertises its “unparalleled customer support” and affordable prices.

Sri Lanka’s army, which has more than 200,000 personnel, is establishing a varied set of new interests.

In recent months it has started selling vegetables with the stated aim of bringing cheaper food to consumers.

It also runs a holiday resort and roadside shops in the north.

The navy now conducts whale- and dolphin-watching trips for tourists, while the defence ministry is in charge of the country’s Urban Development Authority.

One Sri Lankan commentator, Darini Rajasingham Senanayake, recently remarked that there were too many military businesses in Sri Lanka and said the military was growing increasingly akin to its Pakistani counterpart, helped by state subsidy.

However the Sri Lankan military clearly feels it can get certain things done more efficiently than the civilian sector.