Airline Ratings, one of the world’s leading airline rating agencies, has reinstated SriLankan Airlines, the national airline of Sri Lanka, to a 7-star safety rating after the airline's management took immediate action in response to a previous downgrade.

The airline's safety rating was previously downgraded from seven to six stars after an incident in which a captain allegedly locked his female co-pilot out of the cockpit during a 10-hour flight from Sydney to Colombo last September.

The safety rating had been lowered to six stars following an incident on September 21, when the captain of SriLankan Airlines flight UL 607 from Sydney, Australia, refused to allow his co-pilot to re-enter the cockpit after she had gone to the restroom. The captain allegedly did not open the cockpit door upon her return due to an earlier dispute between them. Reports also indicated that the captain closed the door while the co-pilot was in the restroom.

In response to the incident, SriLankan Airlines issued a statement confirming that an investigation has been initiated. The co-pilot also filed complaints with the Civil Aviation Authority, the airline's Security Division, and the Human Resources Management Division regarding the incident.

As part of the investigation, the captain’s duties were temporarily suspended. The Captain who was involved in the incident, subsequently resigned amid the ongoing investigation.

SriLankan Airlines took immediate measures to ground the captain involved, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka has launched an investigation to ensure compliance with safety regulations and protocols.