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UL planning fully sponsored VVIP flight to Nairobi next week?

22 April 2021 02:05 am - 20     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lankan Airlines is likely to plan a VVIP flight to Nairobi on April 29 which will see several VIP’S being taken for one week fully sponsored stay in Kenya.

At a time when the airline has dismissed several staff amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and is suffering financial strains, the Daily Mirror learns this flight is to mark the launch of the Colombo, Nairobi sector weekly flights by Sri Lankan Airlines.

An official, who was going to be a part of the trip confirmed on the grounds of anonymity that the flight from Colombo to Nairobi, which is to mark the launch of direct flights between the two destinations, was initially planned for April 22 but had been postponed to April 29. The Daily Mirror learns that those on board the fully sponsored vacation will include businessmen, journalists and models. The VVIP invitees were all invited by a phone number which belonged to one Ruwan Fernando, who upon inquiry is the Managing Director of Mayleen Group, a company which is said to have diverse operations in a wide range of sectors in Kenya with its main areas of services being Civil Engineering.

It is still unclear at this moment of time if Mayleen Group will be paying Sri Lankan Airlines for the air travel of these VVIP guests as when contacted, an official at Sri Lankan airlines said he could not divulge the details of the passengers travelling on any of their flights and would get back with the details of this particular VVIP flight.

However, at the time of going to print, Sri Lankan Airlines was yet to respond to any of our queries on the said flight and whether in fact Sri Lankan Airlines would be paid for the air travel of the invitees.

According to the scheduled itinerary, the flight will land in Nairobi and will receive a water salute after which an event will be held which will be covered by Sri Lankan and Kenyan media.

The VVIP guests will then kick off one week fully sponsored stay in Kenya which will include sightseeing and safaris. The invitees will travel under a travel bubble and will return back to Sri Lanka after a week. (JAMILA HUSAIN)


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  Comments - 20

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  • Shehan Thursday, 22 April 2021 08:41 AM

    Bring back more covid to country. Other question is who are these VVIP??????. Hell. Sri Lankan air lines making a huge losses.....Nawaa gilunath ban choon Lanka.

    FF Thursday, 22 April 2021 08:48 AM

    IS MAYLEEN GROUP OWNED BY ANOTHER RELATION OF R FAMILY?

    RoaringCreek Thursday, 22 April 2021 08:53 AM

    Another wheeler dealer in action?

    Susith kolagolla Thursday, 22 April 2021 09:01 AM

    Kenya is RED listed country by the UK government.

    Jude Thursday, 22 April 2021 09:22 AM

    Can't believe SriLankan airlines NOT grounded!! Not because of covid!! The bloody airline is BLEEDING BILLIONS OF RUPEES DAILY !!

    Jude Thursday, 22 April 2021 09:34 AM

    The arrogance of government hypocrisy demonstrated clearly for not grounding money-losing national airline, soon the loses will reach ONE TRILLION RUPEES YEAH !! The Only reason all successive governments keeping it flying 'Coz the POLITICIANS want to use SriLankan airlines like UBER to Roam globally for free on public dime !!

    Renu Thursday, 22 April 2021 09:38 AM

    Bloody joke. Fun tours

    Sanje Thursday, 22 April 2021 09:43 AM

    Mrs. Sri Lanka (with divorce papers) also traveling.

    Jude Thursday, 22 April 2021 09:46 AM

    People here's a comparison!!! SRILANKAN AIRLINES accumulated Loss as of March 31,2020 is Rs.326 BILLION Whoa Whoa Whoa AND MORAGAHAKANDA DAM PROJECT COST Rs.48 BILLION !!! This is one of the reasons that SL need to Borrow Borrow and Borrow!! Somebody do the right thing !!!

    Siribiris Thursday, 22 April 2021 09:54 AM

    Thank you udayanga.

    Leo Thursday, 22 April 2021 09:57 AM

    Sri Lankan style. Those who can afford such a trip are given a fully sponsored holiday.

    Helaya Thursday, 22 April 2021 09:57 AM

    Funny and joly

    Bandu Thursday, 22 April 2021 09:58 AM

    VVIP crooks. Journalists have some guts call the spade a spade

    Jude Thursday, 22 April 2021 09:59 AM

    What the government should do is Collect Landing Fee from all airlines landing Lankan airports! Get out of airline business!! Remember, only by Air can reach SL !! Mind you Running a profitable commercial airline is NOT Forte of any Lankans, Yeah!!

    Hondha Hitha Thursday, 22 April 2021 10:41 AM

    Waste of public money.

    Subash Manilal Thursday, 22 April 2021 10:46 AM

    Do they know that Covid 19 is rampant in Nairobi right now

    Ting Tong Thursday, 22 April 2021 10:55 AM

    Tax payers money... used for VVIP's (very very idiotic peoples) Leisure

    Jehan Thursday, 22 April 2021 12:27 PM

    One way, keep nandasena as bonus.

    helena silva Thursday, 22 April 2021 09:45 PM

    only in Sri Lanka what the hell is VVIP - These Rajapakses are ruining the country

    Ranaweera Thursday, 22 April 2021 10:42 PM

    The VVIPs in Sri Lanka get most of the stuff free paid by poor peoples money. This time The VVIPs can get free Covid 19 infection as well with this trip. Free , Free, Free, must have done a lot of Kusal in their previous lives. Sri Lankan Airlines is the darling of the VVIPs.


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