Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

SriLankan faces two more cases in India

By

24 September 2020 08:13 am - 10     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Sri Lanka’s national airline, SriLankan Airlines is facing at least two more court cases in India after a former regional manager of SriLankan Airlines was recently convicted after being accused of an alleged sexual harassment of a former Indian employee of the airline.

In a case filed by the New Delhi Police, the former airline senior official was recently convicted under section 509 of Indian Penal Code. Sentencing has been fixed for November 17, 2020.

In the second case, SriLankan Airlines has been accused of failing to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee as per the POSH Act (The sexual harassment of women at workplace Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act 2013) in relation to the sexual harassment claim. That case is at final stage and listed for hearing on October 1, 2020.

In the third case, the victim has challenged the finding of the ICC and also her termination and that case has been listed for hearing on November 5, 2020.

Ajay Verma, the lawyer appearing on behalf of the alleged victim, told the Daily Mirror that when an Indian employee claims that she was harassed in India the employer, in this case SriLankan Airlines, needs to follow Indian laws.

A Delhi Court recently ordered the conviction of Lalith de Silva Former Regional Manager (India) of SriLankan Airlines on the charge of outraging the modesty of a female employee. Metropolitan Magistrate Dev Saroha, at the Patiala House Court pronounced the verdict through video conferencing and will decide the quantum of sentence on November 17, 2020.

However, SriLankan Airlines issued a statement later saying an inquiry had found there was no evidence to justify sexual harassment allegations made by the former employee against the former airline official. SriLankan Airlines also said that it was compelled to terminate the services of the female employee on disciplinary grounds following the due procedure in terms of laws in India.

However, Verma said that SriLankan Airlines has been accused of non-compliance of Indian laws.

He also said that any statement by the airline with respect to the conviction is contemptuous.

“The standard of evaluation of evidence is higher in a criminal trial. The judge has found the testimony of the victim trustworthy and convicted the accused. Both criminal cases have been going on before the same judge and a representative of the airline has been appearing on all dates. The conviction of the accused, Lalit de Silva, is in a State case and not in a private complaint case. The victim was terminated but it was stayed by the Industrial tribunal yet despite this she has not been allowed to work and she is without a salary. The victim has suffered mental trauma and I salute her for her determination to fight for her honour and despite the challenges she fearlessly gave her testimony before the trial court,” the victim’s lawyer told the Daily Mirror from New Delhi.

The Daily Mirror sought a comment from SriLankan Airlines but is yet to receive a response. (Easwaran Rutnam)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 10

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Jude Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:07 AM

    Srilankan airlines like a respectable brothel !! Yeah!!

    MirakRajBanda Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:12 AM

    Sri Lanaka's reputation flies high with Sri Lankan Air. People in power living in their own world of greed and shame.

    BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:12 AM

    How many women of Sri Lankan has CEO Nishantha played around? Do you think he could do those monkey tricks in India? If this happened in SL and this lady went to courts, she would have faced State harassments and perhaps even left the country. Sri Lankan should also be pulled up for contempt of court for making idiotic public statements, while a case against them is going on. Well done India!!!

    Ram Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:34 AM

    Good lesson for the arrogance of Sri Lankan Airlines Administrators in general and particularly all Sri Lankans employed overseas who seek sexual bribes being hopeful that they can escape like at home.

    lalu Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:45 AM

    Just can't believe. The Indian Nationals employed by Sri Lankan Airlines at Trichy Airport are the most stupid and arrogant, I have encountered. I had to politely tell them that their salaries are paid from our tickets.

    Yehiya Thursday, 24 September 2020 10:01 AM

    End of Airline. Very shame of officer. Need severe punishments.

    Lord Wolfstein Thursday, 24 September 2020 10:10 AM

    Many Sri Lankan men still have their brains in their genitals. And not only do large companies support them.

    Female Thursday, 24 September 2020 10:46 AM

    Lalu, so that is your defence? Because you think all these women are stupid they are lyers? And if they not lie, they deserve to be harrassed because they all are stupid?

    roni Thursday, 24 September 2020 12:49 PM

    This may be the reason it assumed the title USUALLY LATE, (UL) because a part of its staff spent time on these activities.

    RP Friday, 25 September 2020 08:34 AM

    Right thing for Sri Lankan Airlines to do is to compensate the victim and suspend or fire the accused officer. End of the story!


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H