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Video: VIP charter flights triggering UL nosedive - UNP

12 June 2012 10:20 am - 20     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The main opposition UNP today charged that the government has to be held responsible for the huge losses incurred by Sri Lankan Airlines amounting to Rs. 24 billion – largely triggered due to charter flights by VIPs.

Speaking to journalists, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said the government top brass used the national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines to visit more than 20 countries since mid-2010 and most of these flights had been chartered.

Adding to it, he said External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris visited more than 15 countries during the past several months and millions of rupees spent on these visits had gone down the drain as they failed to bring fruitful results for the country. He recalled that the External Affairs Minister failed to defeat the UNHRC resolution brought on behalf of the country despite visits to many countries to win their support.

Also, he said Sri Lankan Airlines was one of the several monsters which ate up the country’s economy. Mr. Attanayake said the CPC, Mihin Lanka, Sri Lanka Transport Board were some of these loss-making state institutions that have become monsters.
He said the CPC had not been able to give concessions to the people despite the reduction of prices in the global market because of its losses and wastage. (Yohan Perera and Nishan Casseem)

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  Comments - 20

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  • Disgusted Citizen Tuesday, 12 June 2012 12:14 PM

    What you say is 100% correct..we are burdened with unbearable economic hard ship due to corrupt gov. ...On the other hand you make statements to the press and keep quiet. You also must responsible as opposition MPs doing nothing to make effective public opinion.

    mohhar Wednesday, 13 June 2012 11:49 AM

    Everythings are tru, But.... your oposition is very very weak, what can do, just see and sleep.

    Rohan Wednesday, 13 June 2012 10:09 AM

    Before we talk those things, we should have a strong opposition

    Harry Wednesday, 13 June 2012 09:33 AM

    Qatar airways has - 116 aircrafts mostly air bus 320-330 and has a staff of 3650 .

    Sri Lankan airlines has only 14 air crafts and has a staff of 3800

    So how can it make any profit ??

    pem Wednesday, 13 June 2012 06:47 AM

    anyway no one will listen to these things now

    upul Wednesday, 13 June 2012 01:42 AM

    Anther Bow Bow !!!

    Vimal Tuesday, 12 June 2012 01:27 PM

    Atleast previous presidents never used a full place for their tours. No wonder Sri Lankan is loosing money. I dont know how people tolerate this type of behaviour by the president. Guess people in SL are just like the fools in the CPC.

    senthil Tuesday, 12 June 2012 12:59 PM

    action has to be taken by the voters, will you?

    M Raoof Tuesday, 12 June 2012 12:16 PM

    We are backbone less in not being able to organise mass protests against the Govt. At least the foreign countries are doing something by way of censuring the Govt regarding Human Rights Violations - EMAR

    Shan Tuesday, 12 June 2012 12:10 PM

    So, being the major oppesition party, what action you take.
    its good to exporse these but actions are more important. we are waiting and waiting and.....

    RAJU Tuesday, 12 June 2012 10:43 AM

    SAME THINGS HAPPENED DURING IN YOUR PARTY RULING PERIOD, SO WHERE TO GO AND COMPLAINT THAT. THAT IS THE UGLY HISTORY OF SRILANKA.

    sam Tuesday, 12 June 2012 12:11 PM

    so i guess every thing the government does is ok?.!

    Undertaker Tuesday, 12 June 2012 11:56 AM

    I would agree that all governmenrs did this, but not as much as this government is doing. If you remeber when UNP was in power 2000 to 2002 bread was 12, sugar was in 20's, dhal was 60's, gas was 600 & no taxes on water & light bills & our inflation was between 14% to 16%. Now everything has increased morethan 300% & our inflation is only 4 to 5%..

    Nodrog Tuesday, 12 June 2012 11:52 AM

    We are also good at bringing up subjects with a big hue and cry and then let it die a natural and silent death.

    buffaloa citizen Tuesday, 12 June 2012 11:26 AM

    excellent logic

    Edithara Lanakaputhr Tuesday, 12 June 2012 11:15 AM

    Generally Sri Lankan nation is known to be "Regrets Only" they lament for past actions with words such as we could have, should have,would have, might have,may have etc,ect... but repeatedly fail to do the right thing or stand before the wrong thing... so powers to be will always overcome the blunders done at the expense of present/future generations..

    Imran Hussein Tuesday, 12 June 2012 11:05 AM

    Very well said.

    Monkey Joe Tuesday, 12 June 2012 11:02 AM

    Atlast someone talking with sense !!!

    Minister Tuesday, 12 June 2012 10:54 AM

    True enough. Just look at the massive hoardings around Colombo depicting air hostesses playing rugger to promote rugby. What is the significance in those hoardings compared with their objectives as an airline. How much have they spent for those hoardings? Won't they be removed soon? Looking at them we just laugh. Not impressive at all!

    ajith Tuesday, 12 June 2012 10:48 AM

    Very True.This is like playing music to deaf Elephants.


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