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1 September 2022 12:01 am - 33 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
SriLankan Airlines has been the fabric of commercial aviation in Sri Lanka since the dawn of the airline 43 years ago. It was launched on 1 September 1979, and the airline’s greatest accomplishments, are often intertwined with Sri Lanka’s own milestones in aviation and tourism.
SriLankan’s contribution to the economy of Sri Lanka as the country’s flag carrier cannot be understated. The airline has been the ultimate gateway between Sri Lanka and the world. With a current all-Airbus fleet of 24 aircraft, SriLankan has been connecting Sri Lankans to 119 cities in 60 countries across continents through direct and codeshare operations.
Moreover, SriLankan Airlines is the only airline to operate direct flights between Colombo and several global power cities including London; Paris; Frankfurt; Melbourne; Sydney; and Tokyo, enabling socio-economic ties with these markets.
SriLankan has also played a central role in introducing Sri Lanka and the country’s spectacular heritage to discerning international travellers. SriLankan has for nearly half a century helped bridge distances; position Sri Lanka as one of the most desired holiday destinations; and link millions of passengers to Colombo, Southern India and the Maldives with expedient connections. Over 95 per cent of passengers transiting via Bandaranaike International Airport are carried by SriLankan Airlines and SriLankan remains the most frequently booked airline to travel to Sri Lanka.
The proof is in the numbers. Between 1979 and now, SriLankan has served over 89 million passenger journeys for both local and foreign passengers – a number that is equal to the population of Sri Lanka, four times over. The airline is, unquestionably, a key foreign currency earner for Sri Lanka as over 85 per cent of its revenue is earned in foreign currency from international markets.
SriLankan Airlines has also powered economic activity across thes upply chain of the travel and tourism trade of Sri Lanka. This includes creating jobs and supporting the livelihoods, even if indirectly, for thousands employed in the sector. Consequently, it has been estimated that SriLankan Airlines makes a significant contribution to Sri Lanka’s gross domestic product.
Aside from passenger services, strategic business units of the airline such as SriLankan Cargo and SriLankan Engineering have all progressively contributed to the organization and country.
Reflecting on the significance of the airline to the country, Ashok Pathirage, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines stated, “For the past four decades, we have been flag bearers of the nation through thick and thin. SriLankan Airlines has not only prevailed through each challenging chapter that the country has had to navigate through, but endeavored to help the country back on its feet.
From sustaining travel and trade links between Sri Lanka and the world as other airlines cut back on flights to Sri Lanka due to the country’s ongoing economic crisis to bringing down stranded Sri Lankans home during the thick of the pandemic in the recent past, SriLankan has always been a pillar of strength to the nation.
The resilience of our legacy is really the resilience of our people, and I would like to thank every employee of SriLankan Airlines for their show of dedication and commitment that has seen us through difficult times.”
Adheeb Thursday, 01 September 2022 06:40 AM
I wish the National carrier Srilankan Airlines all the very best and a Happy Anniversary. May the Lord Almighty give courage and strength to the Chairman, Directors and every single staff to make our National carrier profitable Airline of the future
Lion Thursday, 01 September 2022 06:57 AM
What to celebrate, mourn the death of SriLankan air line which was plundered and looted by Politicians and those who were connected to them. Out of all these plunderers the Rajapaksha clan top the list.
Flyer Thursday, 01 September 2022 07:33 AM
No mention of the debt legacy? It cannot be a success story, rather a sad disaster due to political interference. The loss making airline was turned around under Emirates management, but when discipline and sound management got in the way of politicians the airline was doomed. The airline's legacy is certainly not what it's initial CEO Capt. Rakitha Wickremanayake would have envisaged. It is but another chapter in Sri Lanka's long list if missed opportunities and failures.
Mueez Thursday, 01 September 2022 07:42 AM
Who not you organize a lavish celebration party for at least Rs10 billion? You are making whopping profits..
Mizaru Thursday, 01 September 2022 08:32 AM
A pain in the ass to the taxpayer in Sri Lanka. Sell it off or liquidate.
Ranjan Thursday, 01 September 2022 08:35 AM
Ashok can you please send details of the present profit made please. I remember the time when country was in a bad position during war times when Emirates International was going the management and made profits. Do you really have the time to run the show having other business personal business you are doing quite well???
Rukshan P Thursday, 01 September 2022 09:00 AM
You can tell this is not journalism but an infomercial sponsored by SLA! Where is the balanced journalism to talk about the financial troubles and the disastrous break up with Emirates. Please stop republishing these kinds of marketing press releases and do real reporting. Thank you
Jude Thursday, 01 September 2022 09:12 AM
However, Last 13 years of gigantic loses of Rs.372 billions and counting!!
Jude Thursday, 01 September 2022 09:14 AM
All politicians wants SRILANKAN AIRLINES flying because the politicians wants to roam world over on public dime!!
Jude Thursday, 01 September 2022 09:15 AM
Politicians using SRILANKAN AIRLINES like Uber taxi!!
Vernon Thursday, 01 September 2022 09:28 AM
You mean, Air Ceylon, Air Lanka, and now Sri Lankan?
Mirosaan Thursday, 01 September 2022 09:33 AM
Celebrating 43 years of flying and US$ 1 Billion loss together.
Janp Thursday, 01 September 2022 09:34 AM
WHAT IS THERE TO CELEBRATE IN AIR LANKA POLITICIANS DELIBERATELY ROBBED LOOTED AIR LANKA ENTIRELY ADDING MIHIN LANKA TOTAL FAILURE ORDERING PAYING FOR NEW AIR BUSES A-330 WITH LUXURIOUS SUITS THEN CANCELLING IT POCKETING MILLIONS OF USD $$$ BY KAPILA CHANDRASENA,N MAHINDA RAJAPAKSHAS FAMILIES, DELIBERATELY RUINED ENTIRE AIRLANKA
A.R.S Thursday, 01 September 2022 09:46 AM
At the expenses of masses and more to incur!
Lets celebrate Thursday, 01 September 2022 10:37 AM
Sri Lankan Airlines celebrates 43 years of loss.
Sunil Thursday, 01 September 2022 10:44 AM
What is there to celebrate? This airline has been the largest single contributor to the economic collapse of this nation to such an extent that the innocent villagers who have never stepped into a plane have to bear the brunt of it.
Tia Maria Thursday, 01 September 2022 10:50 AM
Thanks to those British rulers
Tissa Fernando Thursday, 01 September 2022 11:09 AM
43 years of mismanagement, corruption, misuse.
Retire it, unless profitable soon Thursday, 01 September 2022 11:50 AM
This celebration is just waste of news. If there was about being able to be profitable, even a three year old airline is worth much more. Plenty of airline even 100 years go broke. Age of airline is no use if it is better to retire the whole business for it being continued burden to our country with losses.
Prasath Thursday, 01 September 2022 11:50 AM
Plz call it "43 years of burden to the tax payers"
Shiyam Thursday, 01 September 2022 12:07 PM
How many years of Losses??
Cugan Thursday, 01 September 2022 12:07 PM
What is there to celebrate,
Janaka from Matara Thursday, 01 September 2022 12:28 PM
Out of that about two years flying, a few years on repair and maintenance, and the rest, just taxiing
EMILY Thursday, 01 September 2022 01:30 PM
What a DISASTER THIS SRI-LANKAN AIRLINE SELL IT OFF IMMEDIATLY ONLY RAJAPAKSA FAMILY MADE A PROFIT AND THEIR RELATIONS
umas Thursday, 01 September 2022 01:31 PM
Sri-lankan airline ruined the country
NAMEL Thursday, 01 September 2022 01:34 PM
So for 43 years sri-lankan airline management looted money SELL THE AIRLINE NOW
Aquarius Thursday, 01 September 2022 04:05 PM
Adheeb, do you really know the real story about the status of Sri Lankan? This is one of the biggest goldmines for all those corrupt politicians and their goons sitting in their top posts and amassing millions as salaries. We were stable for a few years when we shared with Emirates, but our ego centred Rajapakses kicked Emirates out as they did not give in to corrupt requests. Every airline lease or purchase brought millions as kickback. This is just the tip of the iceberg. COPE has exposed them as one of the major government institutions running at a continued loss for years. Nothing to celebrate but calling for a massive clean up!
narmal Thursday, 01 September 2022 05:43 PM
Sell the airline now
Criminal have birthday, but who celebrates Thursday, 01 September 2022 06:06 PM
Sri Lankan air lines is so bad for our country with losses they should not even have that name. If they were to disappear tomorrow or close down. Other air line would ferry passenger up and down fine. There is no benefit to Sri Lankan citizens from this airline when it keeps losing money, and can't pay back it's debts. Just like everyone criminals have birthdays. Sri Lankan is doing criminal losses to our nation, so it's celebration is showing we are continuing to suffer because it operates.
Loss making airlines 43rd year Thursday, 01 September 2022 07:46 PM
Sri Lankan has been making losses so long seeing it's 43 years is disheartening. It should stop having the name Sri Lankan and call itself something else. Even Ranil Air while it's making losses is better while it's just a burden on us.
“ The Lansi Burgher Gent “ Friday, 02 September 2022 07:10 AM
Close the blinking thing down. This island doesn’t need it’s own airline, of any shape, size or form. All the full service Gulf carriers (Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Saudia) and the low cost ones (FlyDubai, Air Arabia, Salam Air, Jazeera Airways) are more than enough to service our travel market. Likewise, the Far Eastern carriers (SIA, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Eva Air, Air Asia and many others) can also meet travel East bound. Long haul leafy carriers like British Airways and the rest from Europe can take their, fair slice of the pie too. Give all these operators, good incentives, remove all the unnecessary expenses they might have to incur here and you have a stable air travel sector. Get rid of all these vultures, especially all unions and guilds, who have ruined what was, once upon a time a viable venture, for they have done - bugger all, for decades and will do so, for many to come.
Ram Sunday, 04 September 2022 11:58 PM
Please deduct the period Emirates ram the show and proved profits even during war times and also a damn nuisance by politicos.
Raman Monday, 05 September 2022 12:06 AM
Not celebrations, must have an international begging hat collection and also an alms giving for Mihin Air.
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