Peter Hill to return to SriLankan Airlines as next Chairman this week?

23 April 2026 08:24 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 3 Bookmark

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Peter Hill

SriLankan Airlines is bracing for a highly contentious leadership overhaul at its upcoming board meeting scheduled for this Saturday, April 25.

Mirror Business learnt from reliable sources that aviation veteran Peter Hill, aged 83, is anticipated to be appointed as Chairman, marking a dramatic return to the national carrier.

He is expected to lead the critical weekend session. Concurrently, sources indicate that Dimuthu Tennakoon, the current Head of Commercial, is being positioned for an immediate appointment as acting Chief Executive Officer this Saturday. This proposed dual appointment has sparked intense industry backlash, pairing an aging executive with a commercial chief currently shadowed by severe allegations of large-scale corporate corruption.

Hill’s anticipated return to the national carrier is heavily laden with historical baggage and political undertones. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines from 1998 to 2008, during the Emirates management era.

His tenure abruptly ended when his work permit was revoked by then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The dismissal occurred after Hill famously adhered to international aviation regulations and refused to offload fare-paying passengers on a fully booked London flight to accommodate Rajapaksa and his entourage. This defiant stance earned him a lingering anti-Rajapaksa image, which the industry insiders suggest is a key driver behind the intense corporate and political pressure championing his current appointment.

Following his exit from Sri Lanka, Hill held senior executive and advisory roles at several international carriers, including Oman Air and TAAG Angola Airlines. (NF)

Comments - 3

Saheed Thursday, 23 April 2026 02:40 PM

Mr. Peter with his vast experience having taken several senior positions in the aviation sector will be the suitable candidate to head our ailing airline. The former CEO's and political interferences were the result of SL Airlines to lose our partnership with Emirates Airlines and lost a good number of routes. Therefore, PH should be allowed without interference to reorganise every dept in the airline with a view to curtail unnecessary expenditure and for future growth. He is sure get the support of senior Heads of Dept., who had worked under him during his tenor as the previous CEO. Wish him good luck.

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Jude Friday, 24 April 2026 08:44 AM

Supposing he's the chairman and the management make a five year plan he won't be around to execute the plan coz he'll be Down the Hill.

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Mahadenamutta Friday, 24 April 2026 02:46 PM

At 83, Peter is really over the hill !!! What is needed is a dynamic success hungry 50 CEO with lots of Senior Positions in his resumae, along with a definite MBA , determined to make a name for his business acumen using out of the box thinking !!!

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