Sri Lankan Airlines accused of ‘culture of corruption’
The Sri Lankan government has launched a criminal investigation into the country’s national airline over allegations of “shocking” corruption.
A statement from the prime minister’s office said that an inquiry had unearthed “major security breaches” at Sri Lankan Airlines.
The statement alleges irregularities in a $2.3bn purchase of 10 aircraft made under the previous government.
The loss-making airline is 95% state-owned and 5% owned by staff.
It is the latest in a string of corruption allegations made against the administration of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
‘Serious mishaps’
The statement, issued by the office of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, accuses Mr Rajapaksa of making management changes within the airline to allow the $2.3bn-dollar purchase of 10 new aircraft “despite the availability of more cost-effective alternatives”.
The former chairman of the airline, Nishantha Wickramasinghe, is also singled out by the statement, accused of a “gross abuse of power”.
Mr Wickramasinghe – who is Mr Rajapaksa’s brother-in-law – is accused of exposing the airline to “reputational damage” by his “penchant for young air hostesses”, as well as falsifying documents to lease a luxury sports car.
The statement also accuses the airline of attempting to “hush-up two serious flying mishaps”, although no details are given.
Mr Rajapaksa, in power since 2005, was defeated in an election in January 2015, by Maithripapa Srisena.
(BBC)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Political parties in Sri Lanka announce National List MPs for 2024 General Election October 11, 2024
- Sri Lankan President orders immediate Rs. 3000 monthly allowance for pensioners October 11, 2024
- Damitha Abeyratne excluded from SJB nomination list October 11, 2024
- Sri Lanka Police introduce Hotline for reporting misuse of vehicles October 11, 2024
- Government institutions must seek approval for displaying President’s photos at public events October 11, 2024
Just inquire, why Kapila stopped the Sri Lankan flights landing in Zurich., this destination was doing well. Ask him how much he was paid by Emirates.
everyone knows whats happening in Sri-lankan Airlines its up to the good governance to take action this is what happens when there are political appointees who are not fit to run a tea boutique in the corner of the road, they seem to abuse everything. they should remember the money they are playing is the poor man the begger mans money so one day all this money they earn will be spent on hospital bills
These were nothing in MR gov as from head to toe ,from Mr commiss to Mrs commiss all were money predators. Especially mahindas family but banal is kind of different u know, even though he is a money eager but well known women predator. Spoiled soo many females life but all wiped out with his money n the political position he was.Appointing female flight attendant (air hostess) if he likes some body to have him.she must serve him first.like wise there are loads of instances but no time for me to reveal these.so my motive is ,these are duties done by these low educated ministers who are ranking in higher post doing nothing rather than going behind these women.
banal was errongnessly entered instead of Namal from the above comment by me.
The findings on the Weliamuna Committee Report was not surprising to me as I have repeatedly questioned the Chairman and Board of Directors at the Annual General Meetings of 2012/2013/2014 regarding financial mismanagement of the airline running into SLR 110 Billion and even asked CEO Kapila Chandresena to resign as he was unable to give a single Mandatory Modification accomplished out of one hundred modifications he said had been done on the aircraft to justify SLR 2 Billion spent on overhaul and maintenance cost as a result of the Mandatory Modifications. When the company faced serious financial crisis and called for an Extra Ordinary General Meeting in 2013 I asked the Chairman & the Board what justification they have to go for new fleet of aircraft when the company is in utter financial crisis and told them the airline will never be able to recover. They were very arrogant and told me that it is the decision of the government to go for a re fleet to implement the five year business plan.