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SriLankan airlines: Questionable US citizen appointed CCO

22 June 2019 06:03 am - 14     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Opposition yesterday claimed that the government had appointed a corrupt and inefficient US citizen as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of SriLankan airlines paying a monthly allowance of Rs.3.5 million.

Joint opposition MP Kanaka Herath told parliament that an Afghanistan airline had gone bankrupt and closed down under his administration and that he was also found to have been involved in a financial fraud through an agreement signed in Afghanistan with a US company.

He asked why such a person was hired by paying such a huge allowance and asked if a Sri Lankan was not available to be appointed to that post.

State Minister of Finance, Eran Wickramaratne said when in inquired from the SriLankan airlines board of directors, he was told that that the defence ministry had given a clearance to recruit this person.(Ajith Siriwardana)


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  Comments - 14

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  • TONY Saturday, 22 June 2019 09:43 AM

    OH COME ON. THIS GOVT WAS ELECTED TO WIPE OUT CORRUPTION AND BRING TO BOOK THE CORRUPT. NOTHING OF THIS SORT HAS HAPPENED, BUT THEY HAVE ONLY PROTECTED THE CORRUPT INSTEAD

    Lord Wolfstein Saturday, 22 June 2019 09:43 AM

    A Sri Lankan can not do this job. However, a corrupt foreigner following the instructions of the corrupt Sri Lankan politicians to give the job is not a solution either.

    Jude Saturday, 22 June 2019 09:44 AM

    When Srilankan Airlines LOSING billions of rupees as we speak, why THE need of a CCO !!!??? Maybe they want to ground THE airline Sooooon !??? Yeah, very soon!! Huh!!

    Seyed Niyaz Abdeen Saturday, 22 June 2019 09:47 AM

    Our nation is openly corrupt therefore this appointment is suitable and acceptable

    Anthony. R Saturday, 22 June 2019 10:01 AM

    Who's the culprit?? Corrupt recruit the Corrupt, Oh La La This is la la land.

    jaliya Saturday, 22 June 2019 10:05 AM

    "State Minister of Finance, Eran Wickramaratne said when inquired from the SriLankan airlines board of directors, he was told that that the defense ministry had given a clearance to recruit this person" ...... Every foreign body requires clearance from the MD in order to C/W background checks doesn't mean the MD has recommended this person for the job. Based on what and who appointed this rogue who is only a US citizen by name, NOT by merit.

    Sylvester Fernando Saturday, 22 June 2019 10:22 AM

    it is the same old song once again. If the facts are correct about this officer, who is behind this recruitment? Can't you find someone from Sri lanka to do this job or one of the the top heavy in the Sri lankans do this job? add to his /her portfolio.

    Patriot Saturday, 22 June 2019 10:35 AM

    So do our politicans, r they up to the post ?too much wastage in Sri Lanka.

    Yaha Jaha Palan Saturday, 22 June 2019 10:38 AM

    Ha Ha the Afghan Yankee who finished off SAFI airlines at work again....!

    Samson Saturday, 22 June 2019 10:53 AM

    Good way to end the already bankrupt airline.

    Kingsley Wijesinhe Saturday, 22 June 2019 11:10 AM

    What has the Defence Ministry got to do with it? Eran Wickramaratne's answer is not good enough.

    Docuk Saturday, 22 June 2019 11:43 AM

    This is to have incompetent, yes men for the two so called experts running the airline these days. COPE should investigate!

    Chris jayakody Saturday, 22 June 2019 11:45 AM

    The information on hand is that this individual is less qualified than his subordinates . He has no sales or planning experience and has never dealt with cargo or marketing, all key ingredients of a proper commercial head of an airline. His recruitment was promoted by the CEO with the support of Johanne wijesinghe , director of the airline who was a former employee with a known record of incompetence as well as high level corruption

    Raj Gonsalkorale Saturday, 22 June 2019 11:49 AM

    I saw the name of Mr Wasantha Kumarasiri in the committee appointed by the President to probe the Airline's activities. He was the CEO of Air Nuigini, the national carrier of PNG and he did remarkably well turning that airline as a viable profitable airline. Why couldn't he be considered for this post?


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