SriLankan, a corrupted airline without any aircrafts as assets: PM
Apr 02, 2015 (LBO) – State owned SriLankan airlines is a huge burden on the country even though it does not own any aircraft’s at present, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.
Accepting the first copy of a report on SriLankan Airlines, Wickremesinghe told reporters Wednesday that the procurement procedure and power abuse was comprehensively investigated in the report.
“This airline is a huge burden to our country. I don’t think there is an airline in the world with this kind of burden,” Wickremesinghe stressed.
“We don’t even own an Airbus. It only has few vehicles right now; few busses and lorries. Even an ordinary transport company has more than that.”
Former aviation minister Arjuna Ranatunga appointed a four member committee headed by attorney at law J.C Weliamuna to investigate alleged irregularities in the airline.
The committee consisted of two accountants and two lawyers. The assistance of two aviation experts was also received.
“After studying this report the aviation minister will make a detailed statement in Parliament in the coming weeks.” Wickremesinghe said.
SriLankan Airlines, the national airline of the island came under severe criticism saw the previous administration pump huge amount of money into the loss making institution.
“We made a huge loss; not only because of corruption but also because of incorrect management policies,”
“This report will be a guide to me also.” newly appointed aviation services minister Reginald Cooray said.
Corruption + mismanagement. You could have made billions of Money just by selling Landing rights Srilankan wasted over the years.
I can’t understand why an airline with cheap labor and a low cost of borrowing (because of soverign guarantee) can not make money. It is just sheer mismanagement. nothing else. What is DISGRACE.
If this operation making losses what is the point keeping it. I suggest to come up with viable business plan to run or else sell to an International Air Line which run profitably with synergy of existing business. The expected money saving could be deployed for a development. The government could go to the public and the benefit the nation received due to such action. Unless such bold decision this government also will get into bad wicket without taking action. These report also some time not serving any purpose other than slicing mud for previous regime. I have a question whether this government has the right to question every thing did by democratically elected previous government. Adding to corruption Ranil take about yahapalanaya (good governance) made a political appointment to central bank. This is really bad. Why he did not appoint a true professional who has experience at the Central Bank. The biggest concern is our war Heroes put into trouble for petty political gains.
Looks like Ranil is going to sell the Air-Line again. Too much blaming and accusing on previous government and it is time to fix things. The ‘lucky to be Prime Minister’ need to be careful making statements on National Carrier as this is about “Sri Lankan AirLine” so these comments may affect the ticket sales and future of Air Lanka.
Stop all the sri lankan airline corruption then will be ok, 1st lay off all the top management team then the air line will be ok.
What can you expect after 9 years of mismanagement by MR’s brother in law as the CEO ? Why isn’t Nishantha Wickremasinghe taken to task even now?
I endorse what PM said because the flight UL265 of 1st April was landed in Goha Quattar because of the bad wheather and all the passengers had to wait a day at the airport facing various difficulties. Some have not taken meals for over 13 hours until they provided with some tickets later. Usually All the airlines provide hotel facility if there was a delay. Why not Sri Lankan only abstained from that. It proved its AUSTERITY or STINGYNESS
Well atgleast PM has found the issue. But will he take correct decisions? The first and foremost is Sri Lankan Airlines is overstafeed and overpaid.Sri Lankan Pilots are getting too much.Some Management Pilots when you add the salary and perks it comes around $ 10,000 .Thats way too much for this Airline. more than 5000 people working for 15 Aircrafts , massive burden when the ratio Airraft to employee ratio.Heatl fund massive burden more than rs 90 Million annual employee health fund, Fule bill for employees and Perks, Too much, Flight Operations cost when you take the Crew Pick up budget. ECD global is getting paid extra Rs 1 lakh to pick one Pilot. Too much burden , so cut them streamline the first ,
They always say that every thing is “due to corruption” which is a general term. But never explain in detail what this corruption is. People are now sick of listening to this loose talk which is made to the gallery.
The people responsible must be named and shamed. Of what use to the ordinary public is this airline? Just imagine if this money had been spent on trains or buses – even at a loss!