Sri Lanka gov't eyes Qatar as partner for SriLankan Airlines

The Sri Lankan government is eyeing a private partner for SriLankan Airlines (UL, Colombo Int'l) and held talks with Qatar to this effect, Daily News has reported. The authorities have, however, firmly rejected the idea of privatising the airline.

"I as the minister can assure that we have no intention of selling it off. But we need a good international partner to work with us. They will do the management but Sri Lanka will still hold shares in it," Sri Lankan Minister of Public Enterprises Development Kabir Hashim has said.

Hashim has met the Emir of Qatar recently and held "very successful" negotiations with the Qatari side. He added that Sri Lanka is currently awaiting a response from the Gulf state.

SriLankan Airlines is currently fully owned by the government. The government has recently successfully negotiated a USD200 million funding facility with Credit Suisse for the financially struggling carrier. The funding entailed a long-term credit facility of USD150 million and a short-term loan of USD50 million and comes on top of the government's decision to absorb USD702 million worth of the carrier's legacy debts earlier in 2017.

The country's flag carrier is expected to get new board within days after the previous management tendered resignation letters among the allegations of widespread fraud during the last few years.

According to the ch-aviation capacity module, Qatar Airways currently operates 37 weekly departures from Colombo Int'l to Doha Hamad Int'l, while SriLankan Airlines flies 11x weekly on this route.

Source:ch aviation

4R-ABP has been ferried to AUH as UL1205, today. I thought its been ferried for one of the end-of-lease-checks which have to be carried out by third-party aircraft maintenance provider. Please confirm.

SriLankan Chief given marching orders
Saturday, 27 January 2018 00:59

Manoj Gunawardene likely successor

Controversial SriLankan Airlines CEO Suren Ratwatte was asked to step down following a Board meeting on Thursday with Manoj Gunawardene tipped to be the hot favourite to take over, top Government officials confirmed.

The move comes amidst plans to restructure the troubled national carrier, with its Chairman and Board of Directors expected to step down once the Government finalises the reform agenda.

“The CEO has stepped down and Manoj Gunawardene is very likely to be his replacement,” a senior Government official who spoke to Daily FT on the condition of anonymity said.

When asked about the changes, a member of the Board said “decisions on restructuring and changes in personnel need approval of the ministerial committee under the Prime Minister which includes the line Minister.”

The appointment will be finalised during next week’s board meeting upon Company Chairman Ajit Dias’ return to the country, Daily FT learnt.

SriLankan Airline employee unions had repeatedly called for Ratwatte’s removal from the post amidst claims that he was unable to keep the cash trapped airline from taking a nosedive. The Unions were receptive of the possibility of Guwardene’s appointment.

Gunawardene held the same portfolio for a period of three years from 2008.

It will more than likely be economical for Emirates to operate to Australia via CMB as it will help stimulate new traffic from Australia. It will however be at the expense of UL and carriers such as MH and SQ who operate via their hubs. My money would be on a service to SYD if it happens. This also could be good for Sri Lanka as a whole as it will help lower airfares from Australia and put Sri Lanka on the map in Australia even more.

SriLankan Board votes to sack CEO Suren Ratwatte

The Board of Directors of SriLankan Airlines, which won a new lease of life, decided by majority vote to sack their Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Suren Ratwatte. The board met on Thursday for the first time after all of them except one handed in their resignations, but Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe asked them to continue in office until the board was reconstituted. The board took up the continuation of Mr. Ratwatte as CEO of the national airline despite it not being on the agenda and voted by a majority a 5-2 vote to remove him. The CEO was to be told verbally of the board decision to be followed by a letter.

Among those who voted against the removal of the CEO was the airline’s Chairman. One of the issues raised against the CEO Ratwatte is that he had falsely misled the COPE (Committee on Public Enterprises), the parliamentary oversight committee, a matter on which the board had charge sheeted him in November last year. At least one board has initiated a separate investigation on revenue management under the CEO, as well.

Is it good decision Manoj Gunawarena taking over the CEO position at SriLankan Airlines?

lol he was there before...anyway person is measured by the steps he has taken...Anyway what was he doing in London?

They created a special position just for him.

Big salary and all expenses and taxes paid by UL. For close to 10 years.

Big money for doing absolutely nothing. Sound familiar?

Not sure why he would accept the position - nobody want to have their name attached to the coming shutdown.

It seems there are still a lot of naive people who seem to think that changing a few people is all that is needed to turn the Airline around.

I knew that...I also knew that apprentaly some of his council tax was also looked after by UL...So my question is what is his performance on running an airline...answer is simple absolutely nothing

Airline review: SriLankan Airlines from Melbourne to Colombo, business class

Read more: http://www.traveller.com.au/airline-...#ixzz55jWWeZ00

After 9 days of inactivity, 4R-ANE departed from BKK. Must be heading back to CMB.

And it appears that they are taking the long route by staying close to the coast/land, so whatever issue with the engine it seems it is not fully resolved.

https://www.flightradar24.com/ALK1423/10494693

Came back from BKK today. No ETOPS (probably cancelled maybe) is my guess, that's the reason it tracked over land. Bad time period for ANE. :/

I think you are correct, ANE is now airborne as UL207 to AUH and I think ETOPS is not required for most ME destinations