SriLankan faces issues not due to pilot shortage but lack of their commitment: Minister

7 July 2023 07:32 pm - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The issue faced by SriLankan Airlines was not because of the shortage of pilots but lack of commitment by the existing pilots, Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said today.

He told Parliament that there were only 316 pilots when SriLankan operated 26 flights and that there were 266 pilots now when only 15 flights are in operation.

Responding to a question by MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, the Minister said when there were 316 pilots to operate 26 flights, the operations went smoothly and added the issue faced by the airline at present is due to the lack of commitment of the pilots.

MP Jayasekara said there was high demand for SriLankan flights for Australia and the UK, but there are no sufficient pilots to cater to the demands.

The Minister said the delay of the recent Korean bound SriLankan flight was because of the sabotage by the pilots. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)

Comments - 28

sam Friday, 07 July 2023 07:45 PM

Ministers have no commitment, they must show commitment and lead

Sam Silva Friday, 07 July 2023 09:48 PM

Exactly. The comment starts at very top and trickle down to the lowest which we see . We are good talkers than any other nations. That is all we are capable of.

Sambo Friday, 07 July 2023 07:54 PM

There is no commitment by the pilots is because there is no commitment by the government. They are under paid and entitlements are not paid in due time but you expect them to carry out their duties on time.

Gerry (UK) Friday, 07 July 2023 07:55 PM

I cannot believe this statement by the minister about 'commitment'. I regularly travel between the UK and SL. I have been in a Sri Lankan plane that faced difficulties twice and had to return to base twice, and also experienced and read about other issues with old aircraft the airline has. Nevertheless, I think the Sri Lankan pilots are very much committed to safety; it is why I still travel Sri Lankan although the planes are old and fares are more expensive than with Qatar etc.

Covering up the real reasons Saturday, 08 July 2023 08:55 PM

You are taking the fastest direct flight to UK, using Sri Lankan. And maybe Sri lankan is only $1 more expensive, which probably less than 1% extra cost, but save 5 hours time.

Frequent traveller Friday, 07 July 2023 08:03 PM

Extend the runway at Jaffna international airport for long haul flights from east and west to land. A very profitable flight will be London - Jaffna - Thiruchinapalli in South India and back to London.

Daya Friday, 07 July 2023 08:11 PM

Look at who's talking about commitment, what a joke. Professional and even unskilled are trying to runaway from the country due to the mess created by these politicians including this guy. The politicians are talking as if they have done nothing and as if they are not responsible for the state of current economic mess.

Lethargic Man Friday, 07 July 2023 08:21 PM

As if you show commitment in your work as a minister? I guess that is why we see you sleep all the time in Parliament when sessions are going on. Damn shame on you for pointing your finger towards the pilots. If the pilots were not committed, we would have seen many planes go down. Do you even know what you are talking?

joshua Friday, 07 July 2023 11:02 PM

Seems to have just woken up and blabbering something. We all know the commitment of you and other 225. Just go back and sleep.

Pradeep Saturday, 08 July 2023 02:50 AM

Commitment! What commitment do you have? Can you even spell it correctly? The only commitment you should be talking about is located at the general cemetery where you belong.

Kunchithapathan Saturday, 08 July 2023 03:19 AM

You don't need to study rocket science to find lasting remedy for Srilankan airlines. Liquidate the company so that country could save many billions annually.

Raymon Saturday, 08 July 2023 04:14 AM

I agree with the minister . Each and every srilankan pilot should demand commission from authorities of foreign countries before they land the planes on their airports. That will be the true commitment the minister is talking about.

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 08 July 2023 04:15 AM

Fire this minister before he sets fire on to the Aviation sector and destroys it completely. He us a bribe master.

down under Saturday, 08 July 2023 05:46 AM

no one will be committed when fat and always sleeping rogues are appointed as cabinet ministers. First of all the president should appoint proper educated, honest MP's as cabinet ministers to get commitment.

Sivalingam Saturday, 08 July 2023 07:41 AM

Pilots get paid more than 10,000 USD, that is over 3 million rupees per month. What a shame these pilots who are the highest paid by the public funds.

Visionary Saturday, 08 July 2023 08:39 AM

Mr Minister fix the problem .No point in telling the public for you are paid ,mollycoddled by the public to take firm decisions when ever you are a awake.

Terrence K Saturday, 08 July 2023 08:40 AM

It is a shame on your part to say that Pilots are not committed since in spite of the shortcomings of the wherewithals to keep abreast of other Airlines to run an airline the Pilots are commited and diligent of avoiding major catastrophes of human lives where our Airline would have been blacklisted and you would not have been in this position to say these demeaning words of the reputation of our Pilots

Nation Saturday, 08 July 2023 08:58 AM

Are you a committed minister??? Talk for yourself and your other ministers first!

Kotta Mani Saturday, 08 July 2023 10:47 AM

What do you know about Aviation you garbage. You only know how to make commissions and fill your pocket; we know how you played out constructing

Jinapala Muhandiram Saturday, 08 July 2023 11:40 AM

Of course, Nimal, politicians have commitments except asking bribes to develop the family! If they had good commitment since 1948 we will not beg from other countries. Where is Sin galore now? That is the commitment of politicians - Patriotism!

Vadivelu Yogaratnam Saturday, 08 July 2023 01:09 PM

This man doesn't know what he is speaking about, a real political clown.

Raj Saturday, 08 July 2023 05:27 PM

Dayasiri is correct in saying Australia to SL is a high demand one, particularly Dydney and Melbourne. We have a large south Indian community here and they prefer to use Srilankan airlines but our brains don't work. Look at the transit time 9 hours to proceed to Chennai or Trivandrum or Bengaluru. Ridiculous. It can run at a profit if there is briain

Why work a lot for airline owned by disliked government Saturday, 08 July 2023 08:50 PM

The pilots must make as much money as they can by forcing their employer to pay them fairly. Their employer is owned by the Sri Lankan government, an entity generally not wanted to be allowed in power by the majority of the people of the nation. If pilots worked extra hard for just an owner, then the pilots should be hated.

Minister will not be able to find any better committed pilots Saturday, 08 July 2023 08:57 PM

Minister complains about pilots, but there are no pilots in the world Minister will be able to bring over to work. So Minister is utter failure blaming the only employees as pilots he has available to work. One day they may go on strike over poor pay and conditions and Minister will then face more problems.

Jehan Saturday, 08 July 2023 10:04 PM

Thanks to his COMMITMENT to bribery.. the Practically free of charge airport project by the Japanese is halted .. talking utter rubbish.

Buddhist Sunday, 09 July 2023 05:08 AM

Which decent person will want to stay and work under a minister who asks for bribes from the Japanese?

dickie bird Sunday, 09 July 2023 04:52 PM

Reflection on the attitude of the Minister. "No Comis"

Gonapola Siino Monday, 10 July 2023 07:21 AM

You have a good commitment, Nimal. Continue with your excellent Bribe acceptance!!

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SriLankan faces issues not due to pilot shortage but lack of their commitment: Minister

Comments - 28

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