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White elephant national carrier pays thumping salaries

5 October 2017 05:10 am - 14     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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There are 190 employees of the national carrier Srilankan who draw a salary of more than Rupees one million while four top level mangers draw a salary of Rs. four million each, Janatha Vimukthi Peramauna (JVP) MP and Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (COPE) Chairman Sunil Handunetti said yesterday.

Mr Handunetti told a media briefing that the national carrier cannot survive any longer. “COPE at times advices the state enterprises on how they could be turned into profit making ventures but it is unable to think of any advice for the national carrier,” Mr Handunetti said.

He said the national carrier had greatly contributed to the country’s overall economic crisis.

“A sum of Rs. 16 billion has already been paid for the company from which the national carrier was to purchase eight new aircraft, as compensation for the cancellation of the order. Air Bus company was to start manufacturing four more aircrafts for the Srilankan airlines this month. The planes are to be purchased in 2020. We questioned Srilankan whether they intends purchasing these planes. The management said there is no intention of purchasing new aircrafts. If it is so the manufacturing has to be stopped. It is obvious that the government has to inform the manufacturers that it no longer requires the planes,” the MP said

“Srilankn has survived last two years by borrowing $ 400 million from Bank of Ceylon and Peoples Bank. A sum of dollars 400 million has been given to this money- eating monster. The national carrier has suffered losses amounting to Rs. 26 billion despite pumping of this fund” he added.

COPE chief said the decision to purchase eight aircraft was made without a Cabinet approval in 2013. No Cabinet approval was given to pay Rs. 16 billion as compensation for the cancellation of the order either.

“It is the white collar criminals who have led the country towards these economic scandals. The losses have to be recovered from those who destroyed the airline in the past and from those who are destroying it in the present time” he said in this regard.

Coming up with more disclosures the COPE chief said flights to some destinations had been stopped. However Melbourne flight was operating as the Srilankan Airlines CEO visited his family frequently.

“People will be able to see for themselves whether it is the Srilankan, the expressways scandal or the bond issue is the biggest fraud in the country when the Auditor General’s report comes in shortly,” he said. (Yohan Perera)


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  Comments - 14

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  • Labby Thursday, 05 October 2017 10:08 AM

    They should have made these observations during the previous administration also. By the way, what's the status on the investigation into Nishantha Wickremasinghe the former chairman?

    Mohan Thursday, 05 October 2017 03:14 PM

    Just need to observe how other profit making airlines are run.

    Vernon Thursday, 05 October 2017 05:43 PM

    Former Chairman and CEO both had been allowed to go Scot free, without any questioning even

    ranmala Thursday, 05 October 2017 10:19 AM

    Why such huge salaries in this poor country. Who is approving these amounts. Sad state of affairs. Complete turn around is expected in the political field. All corrupt politicians should be thrown out and eminent people brought in

    Mohan Thursday, 05 October 2017 03:16 PM

    If salaries are too high, just reduce them, without making statements to the media.

    Useless Thursday, 05 October 2017 10:38 AM

    Liquidate SriLankan airline. Tax payers CANNOT remunerate HIGH salaries to these useless so called top people.

    Katie Friday, 06 October 2017 11:28 AM

    Easy to say liquidate. What about the 7000 odd employees? what will be their plight?? Only way is reduce employments of the TOP because the top is heavy financially and also their perks should be removed.

    TONY Thursday, 05 October 2017 11:00 AM

    ACCORDING TO REPORT 4 TOP LEVEL MANGERS ARE PAID A SALARY OF 4 MILLION EACH. NO WONDER THE SL IS RUNNING AT A LOSS BY EMPLOYING TOP LEVEL MANGERS

    Nina Kamal Thursday, 05 October 2017 12:08 PM

    while the poor suffers, the farmers commits suicide! What a sad state of affairs!!! Can they even sleep!!

    nimal Thursday, 05 October 2017 04:31 PM

    well you helped them the biggest roughs of all time, come in to power.

    Dee Thursday, 05 October 2017 04:50 PM

    Amazing how a useless manager is given a CEO salary.

    lanka Thursday, 05 October 2017 05:12 PM

    What about Ranilk's appointee! His pals brought to resurrect Sri Laqnkan. Ranil should resign Bond issue - sri Lankan issue - highway issue along with that idiot of a health minister so called dentist.

    Banda Thursday, 05 October 2017 05:33 PM

    No airline can operate with old airplanes like Sri Lanka bus owners run their worn-out buses. The other point is; it cost too much money to refurbish old planes airworthy. Idiots cannot understand that airline business is very very competitive. No airline with old planes attract passengers. So, being a regular traveler, I for one clearly understand why Mahanda regime had to order a new set of planes. Bond thieves who ruined our economy cannot afford them is another matter.

    DJ Friday, 06 October 2017 11:21 AM

    Totally agree. The bottom line is no analysis has been done by the Management or the GOct. , to see if was viable to hv the A350s. The present fleet is shirt Haul and medium Haul aircraft and the A350 is a long Haul. It definitely made sense to order them. Condemning for the sake of it does not do well for our country


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