Controversial Sri Lankan Army officer and former Rajapaksa government stalwart Bandula Weragama was appointed as the General Manager Airport & Ground Services at SriLankan Airlines a short while ago.
CEO Suren Ratwatte gathered all senior managers of the airline earlier today in Katunayake to make this official announcement. ” I have selected the best candidate from those that had applied for the post” CEO Ratwatte said. Other experienced airline professionals who were overlooked were Ajith Fernando, Yohan Pathirane, Janaka Munasinghe and Shiran Perera.
Weragama waltzed into the airline directly from the Sri Lanka Army during the Rajapaksa regime’s reign and went on to be appointed the Head of In Flight Services, with no prior airline experience.
Weragama’s appointment now comes under further controversial circumstances. It was only a few months ago that he was ejected from his post of Head of In Flight Services for the physical assault of Manager In Flight Services Senaka De Soysa, in the airline’s premise. He was transferred to the airline’s Department of Security and Investigations overnight where strangely no further inquiry was held into this incident.
The airline’s Jathika Seva Sangamaya (JSS) Union officials had earlier met Minister of Public Enterprise Development Kabir Hashim and protested against the appointment of Weragama.
The official appointment to this post had been put on hold.
However with Minister Hashim currently out of the country, the appointment of Weragama has now been made by CEO Ratwatte.
” It is a known fact that our airline’s board of directors do not see eye to eye. Chairman Ajit Dias, CEO Ratwatte , Col. Sunil Peiris and Mahinda Haradas are alleged to be on one side whilst the rest of the directors are on the other. It was made known that a member of the board from the second camp was instrumental in transferring Weragama from In Flight Services overnight, for his committed assault. A further strong rumor is that Nalini Fernando who retired in December 2015, is said to be brought back as a consultant, to assist Weragama in his new role. Airport Passenger Services, Ground Services, Contracts, Cargo and most importantly Customer Service are areas Weragama has no experience in ” said an airline source on condition of anonymity, as he is not permitted to speak officially to the media.
Shohan / February 10, 2016
This is how Yahapalanaya working… taking all the bogus and rouges from last regiment and promoting them with no qualifications and experience in the airline. No wonder it is going bankrupt and close to natural death. H. E. President & PM should look into this type of illegal appointment in new administration. There are people who had worked more than 30 years for the airline been ignored to appoint political asylum seekers from previous regiment. Trust justice will prevail and right decisions will be taken by government to stabilize the airline from previous regiment back door scoundrels.
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Amarasiri / February 11, 2016
Shohan
Welcome to the Reality of Yahapalanaya.
Expose, Expose and Expose!
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Sumane / February 11, 2016
Oh sure! PM knows all of it, and he is also contributing to these losses.If he cannot trust people beyond his close circle,he is sure to lose his last chance.
Sad all these leader fall b’cos of the advisers and close buddies. Ask MR about it.
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Leelawathie / February 11, 2016
Too early to make such notes pal.
Wait and see, if he would not be the most appropriate – thingg would change accordingly.
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Sinhala_Man / February 10, 2016
This is all too vague for me to be outraged about the appointment.
I feel that CT must be quite sure of all the facts, and give us the readers also more facts. Else we begin to feel that we are wasting our time, on matters and people that we know nothing about.
Please deal in detail with much more important problems like Telecom, Mobitel and Hutch. Also, for Sri Lankan Airlines, the appointment of that Kapila guy appeared to be a serious issue. Please deal with those issues in some depth.
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Nuwan / February 10, 2016
Oh so unusual!
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The Watchman / February 10, 2016
Yes I agree with Sinhala_men ..CT detail the experience of the people who were passed over to communicatethe extent of the opportunity cost by appointing this Rajapakse henchman. It’s important that we the public know about the gravity of such an appointment.
If i remember correctly this Kekulawela was also appointed in a similar fashion by the Rajapakse regime..all nil balakaya. He is still in UL? No wonder such appointments are made.
CEO Ratwatte must be acting on some pretty dodgy advice
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Cloudy Skies / February 10, 2016
Sinhala_Man
This is not a small issue from what I understand. We need to thank CT for carrying stories of this nature when it is commonly known main stream newspapers hardly exposes the national carrier, due to financial perks gained through advertisements.So you should at least appreciate this. Otherwise lay people like you and I will be left in the dark. Dont blame CT machang cos it will be no point reading stories after the plane has crashed to the ground.
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Shariff / February 10, 2016
On the 1st Jan the Chairman gave the staff a tough talk with a two year dead line to make the company profitable.All listened as if they were grade 4 Royalists.Little he knew that there were people who could turn this airline in One year.Before these ever changing management throw these dummy shells, we would like to ask
1.Did we recruit all these staff from 4800 to 7600? Why don’t you correct that
2.Did we give those promotions with new designations and half a million pay cheques
3 did we order these A350s with long range non-stop flying options to New Zealand.
4.Did the staff want CCO/CMO and many more new appointments,with house rents,spending millions of tax payers money making the heaviest top management ever seen in this company
5 Did we ask for a Weliamuna report and did we ask you to store it
First look at your processes and identify proper people with proven track records if you want to turn this company without giving hollow speeches.
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Saman / February 10, 2016
This man, supposedly appointed by the previous regime has been in the organization for over 3 years I believe. Recall hearing of the hiring of a retired Colonel. However there is more news to bring to light, the current Head of Airport services (Who would be replaced) is an individual with a very shady past and several issues even highlighted in the Weliamuna report. Human trafficking is by no means a small allegation.
However surely better suited candidates would be around.
It really is a joke that all the people coming in seem to see fit to continue with the old and lethargic work force of the airline.
They have been around for decades, highly unlikely continuing with them (promoting) would make any difference. Whatever happened to grooming future leaders?
It seems a waste to have younger potential and suppress them to an extent where their “New thinking” and energy is all but depleted and they are forced to conform to old practices.
Why keep inefficient and redundant people up to 60 years old whilst paying them thumping salaries. Get rid of these oldies and surely the existing workforce will carry on at less expense.
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Eagle Eye / February 11, 2016
This Man Weragama has failed in his initial interview.Came from the back door and no experience at all. Only 4 Years and bad Conduct. Reports of Assault to a Senior Inflight Manager. After being thrown from the Inflight Department, absorbed to investigation as no body accepted him. There are many issues will be exposed soon and only a mentally disorder CEO can say he performed very well in the interview.
We know how its all done and Why ?? will be exposed soon. Stay tuned.
I bet will remain in this department for a few months and soon will have the Exit Door open for him together with the Lady who retired end November 2015 and if she intends comming back.
SriLankan has many issues due to a set of Ignorant Board Members and suggest that the 4 Clean Directors should resign immediately to keep their names Clean.
May Justice Prevail and We love our Airline. These Ignorant monsters will no doubt destroy and finally take to the Dead End.Be Prepaired for Burial.
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Chuti / February 11, 2016
[Edited out]
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Mano / February 11, 2016
[Edited out]
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Madu / February 11, 2016
SEND THE KEKULAWALA HOME WITH T[Edited out]
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Kamal D Ranasinghe / February 11, 2016
The only single word can say “DISGUSTING”
But if we bring this to the notice of Mr. Prime Minister, would anything happen? I DOUBT!!!
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Eagle Eye / February 11, 2016
How will Buffaloes understand
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Bandu Dharmasena / February 11, 2016
As an employee in the organization I feel weragama should be given a chance to prove himself. Considering the probe report by weliamuna so much of useful information was published of the culprits. So weragama is taking over a position of such a culprit. We believe that he will do justice without any favourism for the staff of the airport services. Earlier there was so much of malpractices where when informed to the authorities they went deaf due to personal relationships. This is not the end of the world, so why not give a chance and see. If he can’t prove him self there also then we have to believe that there is a problem.
At the same time he is a person who has been letdown from the head of hr when he was working in hr. He used to be a one word man. On behalf of all the harassed employees in the organization, I request to give him a chance.
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Tax Payer / February 11, 2016
Hi Bandu, It’s true people deserve to be given a chance. As I understand it from reading the articles, Bandula Weragama has been at fault in terms of PHYSICAL assault at a workplace, and was therefore demoted. I think that is enough of a chance.
The role he has been appointed to is a role that covers many areas in the airport, and is a people oriented role I believe. Because you will have to deal with Cargo, passenger, airport services and many more issues. A man with a short temper and a tendency to resort to PHYSICAL violence when faced with an issue, does not really deserve to be in such a position.
The other candidates also deserve a chance. Imagine they have been entirely overlooked for a role they are suited for after many years of running the airline DESPITE political interference.
Why do you think we still have an airline to talk about after ALL the mismanagement and political lackeys being appointed with high salaries based on no veritable merit?
Sit in the airport and see how people work on the tarmac. Some even worship the aircraft and equipment. That is the dedication and the beauty of our national carrier. Such a shame that new ALWAYS leadership overlooks talent and appoints the back-door set. Kekulawela needs to go first off imo.
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Tax Payer / February 11, 2016
Also Bandu, I dont think this airline can afford to give people 2-3 chances. Literally can’t afford. Paying over 4 million a month to CEO and other new appointees from outside, really isn’t right to give people 2-3 chances to see “it there is a problem with Bandula Weragama” .
Tax Payers like me ARE finally the biggest shareholders in the airline after all.
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Nirmala / February 11, 2016
In a world where lady executives become managers over night without any prior experience only due to underhand dealings with the head of hr, this is not a strange story. A woman who doesn’t understand the meaning of analysis and human resources is a manager hr and analytics today!
Weragama is far more intelligent than all these rogues who steal money from the company. He is a very straight forward man. Some heads including the one in hr, will die and do anything for the sake of pleasure… DD is in the cards currently, wonder what the Sampath bank e-commerce hubster still keep her. Pity on her..
Back to weragama, this company is run with so much of gossip, pleasure hunts, loads of extra marital affairs, favourism etc. etc. airport services need a strict manager and its high time. He need to streamline the process. Yohan and Ajith are not suitable for this post at all….
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Sunil / February 11, 2016
Nirmala
Please let us know on what grounds you think that the Two mentioned namely Yohan and Ajith is not suitable ? If Bandula is such a smart cookie why was he removed from inflight overnight and dumped at security on Janice Jocahimes complaint to chairmen as he was harassing the staff there not because he was too smart or he new his onions ,he is only a good statistician these military guys will never change there mentality they don’t fit into any frontline positions as they think they can rule with a military fist , the only talent he had at inflight was to set each other against each other and listen to gossip and the guys with experience when given there opinion or suggestions he was not willing to accept them , so this is his experience
So let’s give him a chance to mess the ground services more …..
You talk about lady executives becoming managers overnight there is enough of examples such as Wajira Peraera a swell who was promoted on the sly cause for services rendered “……
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Shariff / February 11, 2016
Oh Bandu
The main issue with your company is so many people on test runs and newbies in critical areas that is pulling the company down.Last regime just slotted people, friends in many positions with no experience. Even today we see that is happening.some could not rub shoulders with One World big wigs and that was clearly visible.Lot to be done at Colombo airport and forged,documents and visa invalid passengers are the least of your problems in this 3rd world airport like ours.
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Sunil / February 11, 2016
Dear watchman
You had stated that CEO must have acted on some dodgy advice , but unfortunately his only reasoning that bandula is suitable for this post is he joined CEO cycling club and gained his confidence “
I guess the ceo is only interested in his hobbies such as cycling and other past times after all he gets paid and was appointed by the PM so who cares what happens to the tax payers money after all he is a Austrlaian , he will make the most of it and go home ,
The people who appoint these idiots should be whipped form the stingray tail ( maduwalige ) as the president quoted recently not the female who threw the bra at Enrique show .
We the tax payers have been cheated right royally by this govenment for keeping a blind eye on all these happenings and appointing these crooks like colonel Sunil Peries and Bandula Weragama (who happens to be also mentioned in the Weliamuna report ) to these positions
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Eagle Eye / February 12, 2016
Daily Some News about SriLankan Airlines will be very good to Market Colombo Telegraph as the Public is Watching the death of this Public Enterprise soon and these bloodsuckers should be hanged. It is a shame that this appointment will cost the carrier of Chairman, CEO and one more Ignorant Board Member.
Eagle Eye will daily update breaking News of Operations, issues relating to human smuggling, pleasure hunts,many cases extramarital affairs,how to easily get promotions, modus operand of transfers, Bribe obtained from GSAs, Bribe for extension of Contract for GSAs, disposing foreign Slots and its Commissions, Arrangements with other Airlines and hidden benefits, Invoicing for Catering, Commissions on purchasing of Aircraft Parts, Commissions on aircraft maintenance, Code sharing benefits and its hidden role. Hidden Deals to benefit other Carriers etc.
Many more to highlight as this Company is a Goldmine for the TopSlot, the 3 on board and CEO is a paradise and sucking the blood of the public. The decent set of Directors should resign immediately to safeguard their names as they very well understand the Agenda.
More to add the Salaries of Airport Service Delivery Staff and the Conditions they live due to poor salaries, live in Chummeries.Make a few bucks by Excess Baggage putting the Passengers & the Aircraft in Danger.
More News will be updated soon on Danger for Aircraft by carrying unaccompanied luggage and the Chairmans & one of the most ignorant board members Views on this Subject. The Drama will be coming to an end soon and until then stay tuned with Colombo Telegraph. Each Charge will come with detail News with documented evidence. A delegation is ready to meet H.E. President and Hon Prime Minister.
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Ka / February 12, 2016
Sunil
Well about lady managers Promoted overnight due to various reasons are such that will Yiu agree with these, senior manager hrd and business partnering ( what partnering is done? Apart from favoriting HSD- 8.2 executive to grade 10 and now grade 11!! Miraculous…..) what about hr manager planning and analytics ( what experience in hr she has to be a hr manager? Does she know all areas in hr? Hhrs pleasure hunt resulted in favourism as such). Green and planning manager – a man but somewhat a woman with a cheeththaya got promoted just with ordinary level pass and being the pimp to hhr…
The names go on and on… Why can’t this kekula go out? He is ruining the airline. We need a strong unbiased head especially in hr. Guess his shame nerve is cut or lost. Otherwise if he have a dignity he would have already left. But to where? Who will take ? Wherever he go, he will start another pleasure hunt and that has been the story through out his life….
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Palika / February 12, 2016
Why can’t the unions protest and send out the man who recruited staff unnecessarily and gave promotions at his will first!! That’s the need of the hour. We need a strong human resources head… Not a womanizer
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Eagle Eye / February 12, 2016
Correction on the previous Comment-
Will Cost the career of Chairman, CEO and Two Ignorant Board Members including a retired Col who is misusing Powers even after removal from Executive Director hanging around in the daily affairs of Human Resources and ordering 10 to 15 large cakes from Catering just to satisfy HR department in order to get their work done. This is how the appointment of Weregama executed.
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Eagle Eye / February 12, 2016
ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN SAVING SRILANKAN AIRLINES SHOULD FOLLOW COLOMBO TELEGRAPH FOR NEWS UPDATES OF SRILANKAN AIRLINES.
PLEASE COOPERATE
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Pal / February 12, 2016
I doubt whether the hr head will do any task for a cake but if someone say that he will promote hr manager planning and analytics to grade 10 or provide him with a woman , yes then the story can be true… For cake … Nah Hhr need hard core pleasure irrespective of the looks ( as if DD is gorgeous – old rag)
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Eagle Eye / February 12, 2016
Bringing to the Notice of SriLankan Airlines Staff who live in Very Poor Accommodations around the vicinity who is getting less than 25,000/- Approx 170 US$ PER MONTH, after hard work CAN APPLY FOR UPGRADING @ ENGINE ROOM TOWER BRIDGE. ONE CAN BRING ANOTHER VISITOR. ONLY 60 WILL BE SELECTED.
WELCOME DRINK YOU WILL GET RAW BLOOD OF THE SRILANKAN PUBLIC WITH A MIXTURE OF LIME AND DANCE TO THE TUNE OF OLD RETIRED MENTALLY INCOMPETENT COLONELS.
IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE DUE TO ETHICAL REASONS AND THE AREA DOES NOT FIT YOUR TYPE OF CULTURE OR TRUE BELIEVER OF (CHAKA-PALANAYA) NEED NOT APPLY. PLEASE REMEMBER NO MORE YAHAPALANAYA AS IT IS NOT IN THE DICTIONARY ANYMORE, AND WILL BE HEADING FOR MAJOR DESTRUCTION. SO SORRY FOR ALL
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Tax Payer / February 15, 2016
So what action was taken on this? Does anyone know? Because ultimately all such incidents fade into the shadows and nothing is done, and the company remains in a mess.
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Eagle Eye / February 15, 2016
Action would definitely be taken as Chairman does not know anything. Only CEO & the retired Colonel wanted this to happen so that all in their hands.Mr Ajith Fernando who had performed the best was totally ignored and its a known fact that he was asked to report for Weregama , which he refused according to some reliable sources. Further CEO is trying to get Mr Chanaka Ologama also out of the Inflight to put one of their men. Experience and Knowledge is not important as per CEO. Even CEO has no Previous experience and he is only a Pilot. They think they can go on Auto Pilot.
SERIOUS ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AND THE PROCESS IS NOW IN ACTION, ITS A MATTER OF 3 MONTHS, EVERYTHING WOULD CHANGE.
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Jon / February 23, 2016
Weragama together with many others in the Balakaya openly campaigned in the company and held meetings in the premises desperately to keep MR in power. So it’s time the new management promoted him to make sure the ones who voted for this government are thought a lesson.
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