Sri Lankan Airlines gets new Chairman!

The government has decided to appoint a new Chairman, CEO and Board of Directors to Sri Lankan Airlines, it is reported.

Accordingly, former NDB Bank Chairman Ranjith Fernando is scheduled to be appointed as the new Chairman of Sri Lankan Airlines.

The post of CEO is expected to be given to former Emirates CEO Peter Hill.

The new Board of Directors for Sri Lankan Airlines is also expected to be named within the next few days.

Is Mr. Peter Hill agreed to take over the CEO position at UL ?

Peter is much too smart to get involved in this mess imho.

Rogue CEO Suren 'Fake News' Ratwatte is protected at the highest level - he can't be fired.


At this point none of this makes any difference - this only ends one way.

Looks like Mahan Air has started CMB service since recently on Airbus A300-600 aircraft. One flight inbound to CMB from Tehran as IRM1147.

According to Flighradar24, Mahan Air has been operating Tehran-Colombo since 26-Mar-2018. But I checked the Mahan Air website doesn't say any schedule flights to Colombo.

Newly appointed Board of Directors of SriLankan Airlines,

Ranjith Fernando - Chairman
Mano Tittawella
Dr.Roshan Perera
Susantha Katugampola
Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathi

Saw this via Facebook.

Thanks Haleef ! Does any of these directors have the experience in aviation field ? It looks like one person (Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathi) have the background in aviation.

No problem! No idea...

Today I flew indigo, oh my god, brilliant flight even though it’s a budget carrier, the aircraft was clean, comfortable seats, very polite and courteous and friendly crew, ground staff very efficient including flight crew and this was a domestic route, my inward Sri Lankan airlines was rubbish, seat cushions fully wasted, my butt was hurting, dirty interior, overweight and inefficient crew (some) on a scale from 1-10 I’d grade it minus 2

This is the end result is when there is a culture of impunity and zero accountability.

People have been named in reports - no action is taken against them.

It's more or less impossible to fire anyone.

Sad to see - this used to be such a nice company.

Sri Lanka's cargo aviation firm , Fits Air have returned it's only MD82SF (4R-EXM/MSN53217) back to the lessor on 30/03/2018. I am wondering which aircraft does UL is going to use for their dedeicated freighter destinations (e.g. LHE, DAC, BLR ..

SriLankan Airlines turnaround in 3 years

The new board of directors at national carrier SriLankan Airlines has assured that plans are underway to turnaround the organization in three years.
The airline's new Chairman Ranjith Fernando told reporters on Thursday that according to the Consultant Nyras they were assured of bringing profits to the carrier. He made this announcement at the media briefing held at the airline's office in Colombo this afternoon.

The carrier is currently faced with losses amounting to US $100 million for the FY ending March 31, he said noting that they were in a crisis. (SD)

Sunday Times



The Ministry of Finance and Mass Media stated that the new board of directors for SriLankan Airlines was appointed to proceed with entering into a Public Private Partnership with a strategic investor.

The Ministry said in a statement that the restructuring of the airline, and the PPP process will continue to be guided by the Official Committee, which will be chaired by the Secretary to the Treasury.

The statement reflects that the official committee will consult the Ministerial committee for direction as required when implementing directives given by the board of SriLankan Airlines.

Aviation consultants, Nyras of UK will continue to report to the Official Committee, adding the working agreement is to ensure that the treasuries interests are adequately addressed in the restructuring process.

The statement further states, the final restructuring plan prepared by Nyras with the assistance of the National Agency for PPP will be submitted for Cabinet Approval upon being endorsed by the new Board of Directors.

According to the Nyras Plan, SriLankan Airlines can be become viable in the short to medium term through the restructuring strategy.

The Ministry says the plan is similar to the strategy adopted by Swiss Air and Aer Lingus, both advised by Nyras, which resulted in loss-making airlines turning into profitable companies.

Is there anyone that still believes this nonsense?

As per the new directors the remaining four A359 order will be cancelled and UL aimed to become profitable in 3 years. Anyhow the profit is impossible when UL is paying more money for aircraft leasing and management salaries.

New directors openly admit they have no Aviation experience - and then talk a bunch of 'Big Talk'.

No mention of any investigations. Perhaps some journalists should ask them about that.


Seems to me they've already tried to cancel this order previously - and failed.
Same with the expensive leases.

Most likely explanation is the A350 order is another contract with no termination clause. Why isn't this being investigated? And who pocketed the Commissions on this order ($50 million +).?

With 3 'white tail' A350s still sitting in Toulouse from the previous order fiasco - the only thing they're going to get from airbus is 'the finger' imho.