New Chairman assures action

By Chandeepa Wettasinghe
The new board of directors of the national carrier is currently studying the Weliamuna Report which late last week leveled allegations against the previous board for gross mismanagement, and recommended that criminal charges be brought up against the then Chairman and CEO.
“The procedure is that the report will be tabled in Parliament by the Minister (Arjuna Ranatunga) this week, and then we will be guided by the Minister. At the moment, the board is studying it,” SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ajith Dias said.
The report showed the findings of a Board of Inquiry panel led by anti-corruption lawyer J. C. Weliamuna.
It indicated anomalies in the US$2.3 billion procurement of new aircraft, high indulgence of the top management, and appointing unqualified members to top positions.
The report also revealed SriLankan Airlines Past Chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe’s (brother-in-law of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa) unusual interest towards some cabin crew members. “The report indicates there are things, huge problems. And I think it answers most questions,” Dias said.
Mirror Business inquired whether action will be taken against employees of the lower echelon, such as cabin crew for their misconduct.