SriLankan cockpit crew refused to cooperate when co-officer fell ill: Minister alleges

22 June 2023 02:20 pm - 27 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva strongly criticized the SriLankan cockpit crew claiming that they refused to cooperate to operate the scheduled flight even when a co-officer was sick.

“There were 20 more first officers when the first officer on duty fell ill and they were off-duty. I telephoned them and requested to fly the plane as the passengers are in distress. None of them responded positively and offered to fly the flight in the absence of their co-officer. This is the bitter truth. In the past, officers offered to cooperate in such instances for the sake of the country and the airline. But, none of the 20 officers came,” he accused.

He said the pilots, like doctors, get the necessary training and flying hours from SriLankan Airlines and later join other airlines for lucrative salaries.

Explaining the reason for the delay of SriLankan flight scheduled for South Korea, Minister stressed the need to restructure SriLankan Airlines to address issues like these. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)

Comments - 27

Marcian Cristopher Thursday, 22 June 2023 02:34 PM

When the ministers in the relevant disciplines fail will another ministerial colleague volunteer to cover the failed colleague's lapses? Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

Alegro Thursday, 22 June 2023 02:44 PM

Sri Lankan should have been closed down long ago. It's a mystery why it's allowed to survive.

Parliamentarian and Maha religious leaders to keep open Friday, 23 June 2023 01:33 PM

It is a national asset. Why is it mysterious that it is not closed down. It is a matter of national pride to the people in Parliamentarian and Maha religious leaders to keep open, while all along it causes never ending losses and burdens the public.

Denver Thursday, 22 June 2023 02:52 PM

Isn't there a standby schedule for first officers? It seems to all about them and not the airline. Sadly it reflects the calibre of those recruited.

Recruiting only those born in Sri Lanka is the problem Friday, 23 June 2023 01:21 PM

Sadly it is problem with the current recruits citizenship that is the issue. They all come from Sri Lanka. Any good airline would not insist on hiring only those with Sri Lankan citizenship. At least the airline made the right choice to recruit the CEO who does not have Sri Lankan citizenship. Otherwise situation would be much worse.

Eran Thursday, 22 June 2023 02:54 PM

No wonder the airline is making such losses with such selfish staff. They seem to have no pride in their airline.

You are delusional if you think anyone wants to work for low pay for the sake of country run as it is Friday, 23 June 2023 01:31 PM

Maybe you want to work for poor pay. But staff have the right to demand and do action to get maximum pay. The management have the right to terminate the staff. Unlike upcountry Tamils who aren't skilled to get jobs elsewhere, and can be replaced easily with others, the Pilots and Air crew cannot be replaced at all easily by locals.

Matt Chris Thursday, 22 June 2023 02:58 PM

There is always stand by crew in every airline thats a standard procedure. Why UL management still keeping these idiots. Sack them but they wont because of political appointment Political union. End of the day poor people get effected.

Bus Driver Thursday, 22 June 2023 03:03 PM

OMG ! Siripala is now personally involved in running the planes. If he knew to pilot he may have taken over and flown the passengers to Korea .

M.M.M.Izzath Thursday, 22 June 2023 03:06 PM

Srilankan airline is dead and gone am trying to contact them for last one week they dot pick up the phone they don’t call back and no response for mail.

Mark Anandappa Thursday, 22 June 2023 03:09 PM

This guy is so inefficient Minister has the habit on passing the blame on someone other than him.

Vadivelu Yogaratnam Thursday, 22 June 2023 03:17 PM

Shows the beauty of Sri Lanka civil service, this what happens when people elect rowdies, thugs to parliament.

Gamini Thursday, 22 June 2023 03:27 PM

why does a Minister have to call the airline staff and request them to fly the aeroplane. Shows the levels to which the airline is politicized

Gunapala Muhandiram Thursday, 22 June 2023 04:24 PM

Because the whole world knows about your bribery case except unelected RW! Then only dogs and bites are allowed to work with you!!

Uncle Paradise Thursday, 22 June 2023 06:41 PM

Why is the minister calling pilots, and not a scheduling person or CEO?

Sunil Thursday, 22 June 2023 08:01 PM

Are you not responsible for this sordid state of affairs?

oho Thursday, 22 June 2023 08:19 PM

What about the ceshew nuts on Sri Lankan board when claimed buy former president Maithri some years ago. ? Did they got this wright now? Looks like there are allways some rotten nuts inside Sri Lanka.

nadraja Thursday, 22 June 2023 08:48 PM

sri lanka has turned into a joke and does not want to give up the honor

UMAS ALI Friday, 23 June 2023 12:22 AM

The parlimentarians makes lots of underhand money from sri-lankan airline, that is why it cannot be closed down

Oliver Prieto Friday, 23 June 2023 04:06 AM

This "Airline" should be privatized 100/%! The management should be foreigners not corrupt Sri Lankans! Actually it is CORRUPTION and NEPOTISM!

DJ Friday, 23 June 2023 06:18 AM

Close SriLankan Airlines and start again.

‘ The Lansi Burgher Gent ‘ Friday, 23 June 2023 06:25 AM

Plenty of vastly experienced and seasoned Senior First Officers out there, who have been unemployed, since they were laid off after the Covid pandemic from various airlines around the world. These gentlemen could be easily recruited and inducted into the airline but the airline would have to open up to such an idea. Easy fix - open up to foreigners to fill in the gaps.

AmaraPala Friday, 23 June 2023 08:03 AM

Mr Chairman please follow Singapore Prime Minister when he handled the pilot strike. Sack all the guys and recruit a fresh. These guys have the heaven in their hands, brings all the luxuries and food items bags full and if you properly check and tax them millions of revenue to the government. They enjoy benefits no one in the country has access to .still they dictate and grumble and hold the country to ransom

VJ Friday, 23 June 2023 11:06 AM

Mr. Minister, don’t you know you have lost credibility after the alleged bribery case. Had they fired you it would have been an embarrassment for ruling party. Why would the airline staff obey you?

Stop employing only Sri Lankans get available talent from wherever it is Friday, 23 June 2023 01:19 PM

Biggest weakness for Sri Lankan Airlines, is that it only recruits Sri Lankan pilots as well as Sri Lankan air crew. It should recruit qualified pilots from anywhere in the world, and also be willing to recurit cabin crew who can meet requirements from anywhere in the world too. If there is capable English speaking Cabin crew in Africa recurit them, if there are capable cabin crew from China who would want to work in Sri Lankan airlines recruit them. Having Sri Lankans only policy will only see the airline further degenerate. There are plenty of people around the world, who are as capable as the Sri Lankans for the work, and the airline not recruiting them and trying to be a job agency for Lankans is causing great problems for the locals flyers.

Airline only recruits Sri Lankans, which is nepotisim on a national scale Friday, 23 June 2023 01:29 PM

@Oliver Prieto When the British could not get the Sri Lankans to do the work, they brought in people from overseas to the upcountry Tea and rubber estates. Similarly, having all British management is not going to improve the airline. All staff positions, should be open to those who are not born here too. Should not matter about the citizenship to do the job of pilot or crew.

Wiraj Friday, 23 June 2023 02:54 PM

Why the line managers or even the CEO or Chairman did not get involve in this? Maybe the minister had asked for a cut from their salaries

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SriLankan cockpit crew refused to cooperate when co-officer fell ill: Minister alleges

Comments - 27

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