SriLankan Airlines clarifies statements on new appointments

SriLankan Airlines through a recent statement offered clarification on new appointments made within the organisation.

The following is the full statement.

With reference to recent media reports stating that the airline has made 1,250 new appointments under the current Board of Directors, SriLankan said that all such recruitments have been made solely to replace those who have left employment.

The net inflow or total new positions of the company from January 2015 to May 2017 have been 126 out of the total of 7,029 currently employed at the airline. The breakdown of these positions is given below.

This number includes management trainees, cadet pilots, airport service delivery and additional security personnel recruited due to the increased number of flights and the statutory requirements stipulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAASL) to enhance airside security for catering. This accounts for the net inflow of 91 out of the total of 126. 

It is also relevant to note that the airline’s fleet (number of aircraft operated) has increased from 19 aircraft on 31 January 2015 to 24 aircraft on 31 May 2017, which is a 26% increase. The capacity (seats available) has increased by 19%. Comparatively, the increase in cadre was less than 2%.

Furthermore, all these appointments have been made in consultation with the Ministry of Public Enterprise and the details pertaining to this were sent to the Ministry prior to making the appointments.