Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday, 25 November 2014 00:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Q: What inspired you to be with SriLankan Airlines for so long?
A: In the airline business, every day is a new day and a new challenge. This makes the airline job that much interesting and satisfactory. It is the job satisfaction, the recognition we received and challenges we faced that made me stay.
When I started off as a trainee executive we had just two aircraft witnessing every step of the development of the airline, the camaraderie among the colleagues and the feeling of being part of the family kept us going. It also created a commitment and a passion to see the airliner through most difficult times.
Q: What’s the most vivid I favourite memory you have during your 35 years at SriLankan?
A: A company’s values go beyond what is published. They are built on actual experiences and actions of the staff. It creates a lasting impression in your mind and reminds you of the value of humanity every day. The incident reflected the care and concern the Chief Executive of the airline had for two junior executives.
It was in 1982 just about a few weeks after my marriage. We, two executives, Gamini Perera and I, were coming along with our Chairman/Managing Director Capt. Rakhita Wickramanayake and a Senior Government official after bilateral discussions in Japan. We joined the flight in Hong Kong that was going via Bangkok. We were in transit onboard the aircraft in Bangkok. It was evident that there was a problem. It later transpired that the Bangkok station had accepted one passenger more. Therefore to solve the problem and to satisfy a customer, one of the staff passengers to be offloaded.
Both of us were in the economy class and we received a message to meet the Chairman, who was travelling in First Class. He requested one of us to stay back in Bangkok on company account as we were on duty and to travel on the next flight after two days. Since we had family commitments, we politely expressed our inability to voluntarily get offloaded even though staying in Bangkok for two days would have been attractive. However, we told him that we would abide by his instructions should he decide who should get down. He requested us to return to our seats and he would decide and let us know. We returned to our seats and were anxiously waiting for the decision to come.
Minutes past and we were not told of the decision. We realised that the aircraft had pulled out of the stands and was taxing. We were surprised and could not comprehend what had happened. Then came the departure announcement from the captain in command. It was from none other than Capt. Wickramanayake, the Chairman/Managing Director. Considering our plight, he requested the operating captain to stand down and he himself operated the flight. We could never forget this incident where the Chief Executive himself took the decision to make two junior executives happy and relaxed.
Q: What is your all-time favourite aircraft?
A: The Lockheed L1011-500 aircraft was the most comfortable aircraft I have flown considering the time and technology available at that time; its long range and comfort made it a good aircraft.
Q: What is the best thing about serving an airline?
A: Travelling overseas, meeting different people and adapting to new cultural environment make the airline job very attractive. When you are on overseas long-term management assignments, you learn so much and have to manage different types of people with different beliefs and social values. It enriches your knowledge, provides exposure and makes you a better person. It makes you appreciate the quality of life back in your own country – Sri Lanka.
Q: What is your favourite meal served on-board?
A: I always enjoyed the typical Sri Lankan breakfast of kiribath, seeni sambol and chicken curry served on the long-haul flights from Europe to Colombo. It always felt like being at home away from home. (Courtesy: SriLankan Airlines Media Centre)
