Sri Lankan Airlines and its subsidiary Mihin Air are making huge losses due to the President and his ministers chartering its flights at the tax payers’ expense to travel the world. General Secretary of the UNP Tissa Attanayake told a news conference in Colombo on Tuesday, that that the two airlines had jointly run up losses totalling over Rs. 24 billion due to the government policy of chartering flights to ensure that President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Ministers, including Prof. G. L. Peiris, travelled in comfort to more than 35 countries since 2010.
Rajapaksa at BIA
SriLankan Airlines made an operating loss of 19.1 billion rupees in 2011. Its debts have kept mounting since 2008 when Emirates Airlines ended a management contract in protest against SriLankan offloading passengers to accommodate a government delegation. The Treasury had pumped 2.7 billion rupees in tax payers’ money to SriLankan in 2010, while providing guarantees for it to obtain loans from State banks totalling over Rs. 3,500 million in the last few years, Attanayaka said.
Mihin Air had lost nearly 6 billion rupees since in capital in 2007, despite the Treasury doling out subsidies at regular intervals, he said.
Attanayake said that most of the foreign visits undertaken by the President and his ministers had yielded minimal or no benefits, at maximum cost to the country and its people.
The last visit of the External Affairs Minister, G. L. Peiris and his delegation to the UN has been a dead loss as they were unable to defeat the HRC Resolution on Sri Lanka, Attanayaka said.
Attanayake said that Mihin Air should be sold and whatever assets that were left, used to ease the burdens that were being mounted on the poor, even three years after the war had ended.
Panda / June 14, 2012
No surprise here. The gallivanting Sri Lankan President has been globetrotting on a frequent basis, and seems to do so MORE than other far more important world leaders from developed countries. His shameless junkets with planeloads of his nearest and dearest, has cost the Sri Lankan people billions of rupees. They live in top hotels and wine and dine in top restaurants, while the poor people in Sri Lanka struggle to make ends meet.
Something is horribly wrong here, and it is time more people/media showed their outrage (not that it would do much good!). It does not matter what seers advice our dear leader to do – a leader who genuinely wants to cut down his extravagance and whims to hobnob with leaders far above his ilk, will do so at least for the sake of his people. This is disgusting, shameless, and again, no surprise.
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Dinuk / June 15, 2012
Hey this is all done legally! Sri lankan Airlines belongs to Rajapakse. It’s chairman is Rajapakse’s brother in law. The Rajapakse take-over amidst nationalist rhetoric of Sri Lankan Airlines from Emirates has meant the transfer of public assets into private hands, particularly, of Mahinda Rajapakse’s brother-in-law, bankrupting of the national airline which the beleaguered Lankan tax payer now has to bail out.
When Emirates partnered and ran Sri Lankan five years ago, it was not a massive drain on Lankan tax-payers and passengers felt safe on board, but recently on a London flight the airline’s plight was apparent. In-flight magazines were two years old and tattered, the in-flight entertainment system dysfunctional while the plane creaked like an old bus; one could not help wonder if it was safe to fly a favorite airline which even during the height of the war had offered excellent service.
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gamini / June 15, 2012
I wonder whether this man MR has any conscience. Very unlikely!
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ANN / June 21, 2012
I would not accuse him of – but the majority of lankens who voted for his reelection – If at all his so called reeletion was legitimate. It is the people of this country- should take the responsiblity for what the country is facing today- at least half of the nation disagreed with his reelection – as could be read in media.
See, any right thinking healthy one would feel it – if an incapable guy on higher position, everything could go wrong. With the surrounded henchmen, be it Prof. GL or Rajiva or being silent – at this turning point o fthe country- leaving the general public in a mess as never had been before-.
Our people cant differentiate things easily. Defeating of Ltters within the country is a good thing. But the same person with his knowledge and power is not capable of governing the country within the prevailing executive constitution.
At least today, people should support all oppotion party to strengthen the democratic values of the country that we previledged – not comparable to any other countries in the region. Ours are a nation with high literacy rate, but when it goes for the country s future, election of leaders, our people should be better aware aout to whom vote… lANKEN interlectuals should get up to make them aware adequately.
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D.B Adikari / June 14, 2012
To save the unity of country, created image Sri Lankan people, and act against splitting forces of outside island, we are complled to luanch massive programes in EXTERANLLY.That will cost money.
NATION has to bear the cost to SAVE THE COUNTRY.
This tax money used for the purealy good purposed of SAVE the nation and defeted war mongers outside Sri Lanka by President and Ministers as well.This are not viloation or misused of Tax payers money of people of Sri lanka.
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SERUVILA SENARATH / June 14, 2012
You may get a chance to go with entourage. So Dont worry.
Rajapakse And FAMILY MEMBERS ARE PURELY SAVING TO THEIR BENEFIT AND ALREADY launched massive programs to siphon tax payers money.
THEY ARE NOT MISUSING TAX PAYERS MONEY, BUT ABUSING ONLY.
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Nisal Amarasingha / June 15, 2012
What kind of nonsense is this person writing. Dont understand head or tail of his rantings.
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Davina / June 15, 2012
You sadly represent the masses that are hoodwinked by the MARA PR campaign. Open your eyes and see whats really happening. Listen to the inconsistancies being spoken. Remind yourself that people in ‘high places’ are voted in by others to represent the nation. All the R’s care about is building a kingdom for themselves & probably several off shore accounts to ensure security outside the island should things heat up. It didn’t work for Gaddafi or Hussein. But people never learn do they…
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suz / June 14, 2012
during the posson season tissa gets crazy why some one calling him tissa…tissa.. may .be maharaga.
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gamini / June 15, 2012
Suz, Tissa may get crazy during Poson, but you are crazy and stupid all the time contributing your two cents worth everywhere displaying your ignorance and immaturity and killing the Queen in the process. Why don’t you seriously take a rest.
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Senguttuvan / June 15, 2012
This is what happens when Parliament is rendered impotent. Sections of the media also collude with the offending State by eclipsing information that should be shared with the people. Fortunately, the advent of Internt has brought forth many courageous blogs that play the role the main media fails to do – having fallen prey to corruption.
The Profitable deal with Emirates was done away with and an able professional of Sri Lankan Airways was got rid of on a personal slight – merely refusing to off-load passengers in 1st Class who had pre-booked and paid for their tickets to travel to Cbo.
Civil society must go to Courts on this. This non-stop Tamasha where the President flies with his near and dear at the drop of a hat – here, there and everywhere must be challenged. Places and causes that hardly help the country are the places the President rushes to. What do we sell and buy from Cuba – an isolated and failed communist prison State? Where is the time for the man to look into the urgent problems of the people?
Senguttuvan
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silva / June 15, 2012
I am impressed by the comments written by previous bloggers.Sri lanka is under the rule of one family. powerful ministers and foreign Ambassadors are fro Rajapakse family. Rest of politician are corrupt and has no backbone to rise against this. Oposition is weak. Or only hope is General Fonseka forming party to abolish executive presidency and stop corruption and racially motivated politics.
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Panda / June 19, 2012
Unfortunately, Fonseka will not be the savior the country needs. There is already indications that his family is also darkened by corruption and scandals. The Rajapaksa’s have made sure there is no viable opposition to threaten them. Sri Lanka has no strong opposition nor leader to step in and take the country out of this hole.
The recent reports of the brother in law and chairman of Sri Lankan airlines caught with his hand in the cookie jar, shows there is absolutely no decent, honest, member, in this disgusting family. Sri Lanka is in a very bad situation, and the people will suffer as usual.
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PresiDunce Bean / June 15, 2012
BEANheen Air – We Serve You Right When You Take Our Flight
“Good day, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to BEANheen Air. This is your captain speaking. I am happy to announce that this is the first supersonic flight undertaken by BEANheen Air from Idiot Island to Libby Yar. We will be flying at an altitude of 90,000 feet and a speed of 1800km per hour. Our flying time from Idiot Island to Libby Yar will be 2 hours and 45 minutes.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, I know you are wondering why we have been waiting to take off for over 2 hours. Unfortunately, His
Hex-A-Lunacy the Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient PresiDunce Percy Jilmart Bean’s brother’s wife’s sister’s daughter has been held up in traffic. We will be taking off as soon as she gets on board. In the mean time you are kindly requested to watch the in-flight movie of our beloved PresiDunce and his Royal Family of 300+ on their recent visit to LunDumb, Parish and NooYuk.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, His Hex-A-Lunacy the Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient PresiDunce Percy Jilmart Bean’s brother’s wife’s sister’s daughter has finally got on board. We have now been cleared for take off. I apologize for the 6 hour delay at the runway. The stewardesses will now serve you Kurakang bread and Kola Kenda.”
“Well ladies and gentlemen, we seem to have broken some sort of record. Our flying time to Libby Yar was 2 hours and 31 minutes. Unfortunately there are many planes circling the airport, and we have been asked to fly over the Sha-Ha-Raa desert and hold there at 65,000 feet.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, since I last spoke to you, 90 minutes ago, I regret the Libby Yar airport has asked us to maintain altitude and fly in a pattern over Tim-Buck-Too.”
“Friend’s, I know you are all very tired and hungry and thirsty, but trying to break down my door is not going to help anybody. We should be getting the green light from Libby Yar at anytime now…”
“We will be permitted to land within the next hour. Please fasten your safety belts, and may the blessings of His Hex-A-Lunacy the Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient PresiDunce Percy Jilmart Bean be upon you all!”
“We are now on the ground at Libby Yar airport. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any room at the ramp, and we have been asked to wait out here until someone leaves. It should not take more than 40 or 50 minutes. Until then, please relax and watch the in-flight movie number 2 of our beloved PresiDunce’s recent visit to Eeeran, MeAndMyMaa and Shyna.”
“Well ladies and gentlemen, here we are at the terminal, and I hope you enjoyed the maiden supersonic flight of BEANheen Air. I’m happy to announce we beat the previous record set by ChristoBean ColomBus when he crossed the Hatlantik in 1492 in the NeenaBean, the PintaBean and the SantamariaBean by 4 hours and 12 minutes.”
“Have a wonderful day, and don’t forget to tell your friends and relatives about BEANheen Air. Our motto as always is: We Serve You Right When You Take Our Flight!
Jaya Hoo!
http://srilankalandoftheblind.blogspot.com/2010/03/beanheen-air-we-serve-you-right-when.html
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randy mathew / June 15, 2012
Sadly this is nothing new. This shameless family from Hambantota were waiting to grab power at any cost ( remember giving money to the tiger terrorists in 2005, to prevent voters from North & East from voting ? ) so that they can rob from the public purse. The economy of the country has gone from bad to worse but the economy of the Rajapakse clan has improved by leaps & bounds. Obviously they are not true buddhists.
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Davina / June 15, 2012
As for Colombo Telegraph, you guys are doing a great job. Accountability is extinct in Sri Lankan politics and its wider circles. There is no sense of embarressment whatsoever by the ‘ruling family’ – the attitude is almost as if they are worthy of priviledges the island cannot afford and they do not deserve. With thick skinned lunatics, it may be too late already. But do keep up the good work CT! Hopefully more and more people will come to know the truth.
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Nalaka / June 15, 2012
GL Peiris went to Seychelles in April for a business tour claiming he had successful tour. The total population in the tiny island Seychelles is 86,000 which is less than Mannar. What type of successful business he had there. Can he explain.Cuba is another communist, closed economic country.In bound tourism and cigars are the main foreign earners, but it has produced world class doctors and sportsmen. I thought we have embassies in other countries and to finalize trade deals is part of the responsibility. Trips by President MR to other countries without productivity is questionable. Thirty years of selling the war to deceive people and make money is enough and I suggest not to aggravate it anymore to stay and rob further the county.A collective effort by the opposition and to educate public is necessary to put a stop to these pleasure trips at the hugh expense to taxpayer.
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kris / June 18, 2012
oyi Rate janadhipathi payinda yanne wena ratawalata plane eke nathuwa
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shantha liyanage / June 19, 2012
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DAS / June 18, 2012
We are being fleeced to prop up the two money loosing airlines.
Both should be closed down.Many heads of state use commercial airlines.
The president too should do so,until our financial situation improves.
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JO / June 19, 2012
This criminal crook must hang in public or drag on the street like Gadadfi and shoot to save this nation.
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Sumanapla .M / June 19, 2012
Since 1977 even ater 1981 raitos against Tamils in south UNP govt had spend Billions of US dollars for WAR.Last 30 odd years war started by UNP regime.They wast tax payers Trillions Ruppes.
Is very glad to say Mahind Rajapakasa,and his leadership end 30 years war.He as leader save tax payers money after end of war and bring peace to Country ,Nation and People of Sri lanka.
MR did good job and bring stability to country after uncertaniies under war 30 years and saving huge amonut of tax payers money.
Still war monger are around us.We have to promoted our peace work in internation field.Now MR on such target programes in many countries.
That will cost money.Is natural.
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Senguttuvan / June 20, 2012
Kris (June 18) – Mrs B and Dudley undertook overseas tour obligations, only when absolutely necessary, and mostly travelled Economy Class. They stayed in medium class hotels. They were accompanied by a handful of senior officials supplemented by able support from educated and professional diplomats in our embassies in the country they visited. That was a time when Govt really functioned as it should.
Today, the President travelling 1st Class/Business is acceptable but the accompanying officials should be to the minimum. Our embassies at the other end should be fully utilised. For this it is necessary our Missions are manned by able and professional diplomats – not grinning, ill-educated “Yes” men who are more peons and porters than professional diplomats. Of what official use are women like Anarkali (what a name for a Sinhala woman) in these visits?
Senguttuvan
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ANN / June 21, 2012
it should be the duty of country loving economists or the related professionals to point out the corresponding bodies how they could manage the budget matching to lanken norms as a developing country with its rapid indrease of the cost of living- leaving majority poor folks in dark not being able to even think of their supper.
If any other leaders before MR did use regular flights for their foreign trips, why MR denies to do so- should be questioned in the parliament. If such issues were handled in this way in the UK, Germany or France, lawmakers of the respective countries will not stay calm. Ours should be not nation loving representives that have been elected by the peoples votes – unless, they are the ones who need to do their job to allow the nation / country justice/ lawful behaviour.
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Real Peace / June 21, 2012
This family will not hesite to sell mother Lanka for prostitution.
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