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Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva glances at SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage during the media conference held yesterday
– Pic by Lasantha Kumara
By Charumini de Silva
Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday issued an ultimatum to SriLankan Airlines stressing the urgent need improve operational procedures to ensure viability.
Amidst mounting criticism over national carrier’s frequent flight delays and/or cancelations, Minister de Silva holding a special media briefing along with SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage, key officials of the airline, airport services and trade union representatives, said the ground handling division must be given up if the carrier is to continue operating amidst ongoing privatisation efforts.
“It is the Government’s mistake to give the ground handling also to the airline. Had it not been attached to the airline, the reputation would get tarnished. If the privatisation process does not go well, I will immediately put a Cabinet paper to remove it from the airline,” de Silva said.
The ground handling arm of the SriLankan Airlines is a key performing entity which generates around $ 50 million per year.
The Minister minced no words, attributing the airline’s precarious position to its tarnished reputation, which he argued would deter potential buyers in the privatisation process.
“We cannot run an airline with disruptive employees. This is a critical moment for SriLankan Airlines. We cannot afford to entertain employees who fail to handle situations under pressure,” he asserted, advocating for immediate dismissals of employees responsible for the delays, to restore operational integrity.
The Minister’s remarks underscored deep-rooted frustrations with the airline’s management and workforce, pointing out that its employees exacerbated operational challenges despite new recruitments.
“I allowed recruiting new cabin crew and ground handling staff although it was not the Government’s policy. However, the existing and new employees do not seem to be working attentively. This is entirely the fault of the SriLankan Airlines management,” de Silva charged.
Apologies to the public and passengers, according to de Silva, no longer suffice as a solution, given the airline’s persistent operational shortcomings.
Minister de Silva also expressed concern over potential bidders’ growing disappointment, noting that some had already voiced their reservations due to ongoing disruptions in the airline and its workforce’s attitude.
“The deadline for the Expressions of Interest (EOIs) is set for 5 March and in the present scenario, according to the information I received some of the bidders want to withdraw. With the negative reputation plaguing the airline, we will not be in a position to offer it free-of-charge even,” he claimed.
When asked if India’s Adani Group was interested in managing the airports, the Minister said, “Not only Adani, Chinese, Russians and many others are keen on taking over our airports. I have not allowed them yet.”
He also criticised trade unions for disseminating misinformation and failing to deliver on promises made during a recent seminar.
“Despite their fervent advocacy, the trade unions have not got any investors or made any revenue for the airline,” he pointed out, rebuking their assertions of bringing in investors while opposing the airline’s privatisation.
The Minister asserted the airline’s operation must not come at the expense of public funds. “There is no point in keeping the airline operational with taxpayers shouldering the burden. There are better initiatives that these limited resources can be used for the betterment of many people in the country. The aircrafts are ailing and if they are not in a position to operate, reduce the frequencies,” he added.
In response to the Minister’s claims, SriLankan Airlines Chairman explained that the situation was due to the shortage of aircraft available to operate. “I am very unhappy at the way the situation was handled by the ground-handling staff and an investigation is ongoing while taking corrective measures,” he said.
However, Pathirage told the Minister that the verdict to keep the airline afloat is a choice that the Government must take and not the SriLankan Airlines. “It is a decision that the Government has to take if the airline needs to be grounded. As the Minister, you can come back to us with the Cabinet approval and make the final decision. The airline’s grading nose-dived not recently, but over the past seven to 10 years,” he added.
Pathirage also said he was not against privatisation and it should be the way forward, pointing out that all stakeholders have supported the procedure.
“Our job is to run the airline and we are supporting privatisation, but we are not the ones who are running the process,” he stressed, insisting that the national carrier is operating without any Government funds.
The Chairman asserted that the delay in the Government procurement process to obtain aircraft was a reason for the continued delays and cancellations of the SriLankan Airlines flights.
“We are doing a very difficult job in motivating the workforce whilst operating the airline smoothly with the best safety measures despite all the shortcomings. Even to date, 60% of the total passengers are brought by the national airline. We accept that we had technical issues, aircraft delays which is natural everywhere. However, it has been more frequent over the past six months and we are trying our best to correct it” he assured.
“I want passengers to fly and believe and trust the airline,” Pathirage said.
The trade union representatives commended Chairman Pathirage for his leadership to manage the airline amidst difficult situations, whilst blaming the politicians and its past management.
“We all undoubtedly praise the Chairman for his leadership and unwavering commitment to operate this airline amidst all odds. Neither the employees nor the current management of the SriLankan Airlines are responsible for the cancellations and bad reputation, but the political intervention,” they claimed.
They also slammed the former COPE Chairmen and MPs Dr. Harsha de Silva and Dr. Charitha Herath for disrupting the lease procedure of the airline when the aircraft were at a lower price. “They are responsible for all the operational delays the airline is facing at present,” they claimed.
