SriLankan pilot suspended

21 August 2016 12:18 pm - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Captain who was due to fly the Frankfurt to Colombo flight last Friday (19) has been suspended as he failed to pass a Breathalyzer (alcohol test) carried out by the Authorities at Frankfurt Airport in Germany, SriLankan Airlines confirmed.

Releasing a statement the Airline stated alternative measures had been taken to operate the flight back to Colombo.

Full Statement

SriLankan Airlines confirmed that one of its Captains who was due to operate UL554 Frankfurt to Colombo on Friday 19thAugust failed to pass a Breathalyzer, (alcohol test) carried out by the Authorities at Frankfurt Airport in Germany. Upon receiving the results SriLankan Airlines took immediate steps to suspend the services of the said captain and took alternative measures to operate the flight to Colombo.
SriLankan Airlines has a well-established strict substance abuse policy that is designed to put the safety of our customers and employees first. The Airline has no tolerance for abuse or violations of this policy and accordingly the Airline will thoroughly investigate this matter, whilst extending its fullest co-operation to the law enforcement authorities in Germany. The crew member concerned has been suspended and will be withheld from operating services pending the outcome of the investigation.
SriLankan Airlines would like to reassure its customers that the safety of passengers and crew are the paramount consideration of the Airline and will not be compromised under any circumstances.

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Comments - 24

kumar Sunday, 21 August 2016 05:59 PM

Unchikun must be an eco refugee from SL who can not go to SL

Thiyagi Velupillai Tuesday, 23 August 2016 12:49 AM

This is not a joke, is he is proven guilty then authorities must take severe disciplinary action against this pilot including cancelling his licence. A big lesson to be learnt for other pilots too

gdj100 Monday, 22 August 2016 02:26 PM

What are you nuts? Check your statistics before making such pointless remarks.

Aquarius Monday, 22 August 2016 12:06 PM

Hope he does not have "connections" and get away with this. As any professional organisation would do, he should be dismissed immediately without any lengthy legal battles.

Jerome Monday, 22 August 2016 11:11 AM

I only hope the authorities will do justice by this. The result is plain and simple. He should be immediately terminated with his pilots license permanently cancelled and also heavily fined.

Kingsley Wijesinhe Monday, 22 August 2016 07:52 AM

The Pilots' Guild should demand that the identity of the captain be made public. As it is, the rumour mill is already in action and the names of many captains are being mentioned. This is defamation.

perera Sunday, 21 August 2016 08:39 PM

does all who made comments actually know the citizenship or ethnicity of the pilot in question?

Mandy Sunday, 21 August 2016 07:52 PM

This is nothing - you should have read the uninformed baseless comments when news broke about the 15 hour delay originally..

Bala Sunday, 21 August 2016 07:50 PM

Already pilots union in SL talking tough on other matters. They were like lambs under MR and his BIL who were ruining the airliine. They are MR catchers.

sunil Sunday, 21 August 2016 07:36 PM

So, you can say how passenger safety is at risk. If he was piloting a plane in a third world country, they would not have done the test and he would have piloted with the influence of alcohol.

Bhathiya Waduge Sunday, 21 August 2016 06:21 PM

Cheap and Small airlines?? Please check the safety records of SLA...Better than many so called Expensive

kumar Sunday, 21 August 2016 06:02 PM

Sri Lankan airlines which is one of the oldest airlines in the world, has an fantastic air safety record.

Unchikun Sunday, 21 August 2016 12:45 PM

Simple bit of advise. Keep off cheap and small airlines if you value your life.

Sanipa Sunday, 21 August 2016 05:40 PM

Was he not suspended before because of his drinking problem. Franco you need to,look at this b4 you talk.

Simple Simon Sunday, 21 August 2016 05:26 PM

Hope he faces criminal charges for the number of lives (not to mention the reputation of our flag carrier) he put at risk

Joe rajah Sunday, 21 August 2016 04:14 PM

Tell him to pick tea leves that he can do while toxicated

Unchikun Sunday, 21 August 2016 04:05 PM

Now he qualifies to drive in Sri Lanka , any type of vehicle . Suggest Tuk Tuk!

Franco Sunday, 21 August 2016 03:41 PM

Surprising comments here. For your information your admirable larger airlines such as Quantas, American and EU airlines have had many such issues ! Better comment with knowledge rather than lopsided or biased mentalities.

frequent flier Sunday, 21 August 2016 03:31 PM

This is not a simple matter that any air line can shrug off. Most pilots get away with anything because of their powerful unions. If this happened at Sri Lankan airport ( unfortunately authorities does not have the backbone to challenge members of powerful unions ) incident would have been swept under the carpet.

Sunil Sunday, 21 August 2016 03:30 PM

His pilots licence should be confiscated for life time with a heavy penalty as a warning to other UL pilots

Shelly. Sunday, 21 August 2016 03:08 PM

This statement (came out after very late) is a joke. Frankfurt officials had done the needful. What is there SLA to do now Why kept this habitual drunked in its service for so long Is this the way SLS ensure safety via DM Android App

Aja Sunday, 21 August 2016 03:01 PM

Idiot.

SHEHAN Sunday, 21 August 2016 02:58 PM

This captain should be sacked cos there are hundreds of lives in the hands of the cockpit crew.

Rom Sunday, 21 August 2016 02:13 PM

What a shame! What a waste! At least it will open up for a young cadet to join.

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SriLankan pilot suspended

Comments - 24

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