The operating crew of a SriLankan Airlines flight from Madurai to Colombo including its Pilots and Cabin Crew were filmed creeping through a barbed wire fence and penetrating the Madurai Airport Security Defenses to gain access to their aircraft to operate their flight back to Colombo.
Capt.R. De Alwis and his crew of the national carrier were facing difficulties in gaining access to the main airport entrance in Madurai after their crew stop over. This was due to a protest being held by locals in close proximity to the airport in Madurai.
Instead of staying in the Crew Hotel and turning up to operate the flight once the protests in Madurai were over, Capt. De Alwis had looked at all options to get the crew to the airport to operate their flight back.
This meant that the crew transport provider was forced to take a dirt road and shove the Stewardesses and Pilots through a fence which borders the airport.
Whilst access to the airport should be entered through the proper channels the former Air Force Wing Commander and now Captain of SriLankan Airlines took a decision to penetrate the Madurai Airport defenses instead.
His job usually is to enter the airport through the proper legal channels to gain access to the aircraft and not through any illegal means.(By Janaka Ranaweera)
Ravith Perera / January 24, 2017
This article by Janaka Ranaweera is irrelevant as its a case of “desperate times call for desperate measures”. The SL Captain had coordinated and arranged with the Madurai Airport officials and security, and had taken the best possible option at the time. We all should applaud the courage and dedication by the captain.
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Srilal / January 24, 2017
The Title and whole story are being done in a very negative spirit, don’t know exactly the real motive behind this article. Definitely intended outcome would not be achieved , quite opposite will happen.
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Sama / January 24, 2017
Yes, Srilal, sometimes you never know why their focus is to report the kind of incident that way ? however, I have never thought the kind of destinations too are flown by lanken airlines. Thanks for the kind of crew memmbers. We all feel that many of them are doing a dream job.
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Sam Fernando / January 24, 2017
THE KIND OF UNPROFESSIONAL ACTS SHOULD THOUGH BE REPORTED; BUT IN THE SAME TIME; THIS CAN BE VERY DAMAGE TO SRILANKEN AIRLINES – MAY MANY CRITICISE THE INCIDENT.
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Spitfire Neelis / January 24, 2017
I think the point of this whole article is to bring disrepute to Srilankan Airlines. This whole operation was carried out through co-ordination with the officials according to my information. As said at desperate times you take desperate measures. I think CT has got a personal agenda against Srilankan!!!!
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Sama / January 25, 2017
But, as a captain, you would not react like a desperate passenger. Once I was about to miss my plane from London to Berlin. They I had just 30 min left until being boarded. I was the last passenger. So all I did was being hectic.. went on shouting at the coutner personnel…. later I realized, it was my own mistake. Had I arrived london stansted earlier, I would not have faced the kind of hectic. So was that.. but I was just a passenger.
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Bunjappu / January 24, 2017
QUOTE
“This was due to a protest being held by locals in close proximity to the airport in Madurai.
Instead of staying in the Crew Hotel and turning up to operate the flight once the protests in Madurai were over, Capt. De Alwis had looked at all options to get the crew to the airport to operate their flight back.”
UNQUOTE
THIS COULD END UP WITH THE UNEXPECTED- CAPATAIN OR THE CREW not KNOWING WHAT WAS THE GROUND REALITY AT THE PLACE….
NO EXCUSE – VERY VERY UNPROFESSIONAL ACT !
NO EXCUSE – VERY VERY UNPROFESSIONAL ACT !NO EXCUSE – VERY VERY UNPROFESSIONAL ACT !NO EXCUSE – VERY VERY UNPROFESSIONAL ACT !NO EXCUSE – VERY VERY UNPROFESSIONAL ACT !NO EXCUSE – VERY VERY UNPROFESSIONAL ACT !
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Rajash / January 24, 2017
When we grew up as kids we used to creep through the barbed wires to get entrance to cricket matches or rugby matches or musical events etc. I am sure Sri Lankan kids still do.
I think you are trying to judge this incident with that mentality.
But this is a serious incident. Whether coordinated with Madurai Airport officials and security or not.
Both Madurai Airport officials and security and Sri Lankan crew should be face serious punishment.
Besides the indignity the female crew members in Sere have to go through!
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Push / January 24, 2017
This is terrible; very unprofessional.
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Pasindu / January 24, 2017
Oh come on, the title is very misleading. Why on earth the captain will go through these difficulties than resting in the crew hotel if his intention is about himself? The captain and the crew has to be appreciated for giving priority for their duties.
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Nish / January 24, 2017
Why misleading?
As soon as you saw the word “Penetrate” you clicked the news link? Now you are upset :) coz no Giki Giki ? That is your dirty mind !
Penetrate has other meanings too. the 1st meaning according to the Cambridge dictionary: to move into or through something.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/penetrate?q=Penetrate
“When a man penetrates his partner during sex, he puts his penis into his or her body.” is the last one
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VND / January 24, 2017
Nish – Penetrate does not specifically means to do with sexual intercourse….It means, gaining access to ( Forcefully ) in general….It can apply to many situations ( not only during sexual intercourse )…..Check this link out which I got from the Google Dictionary:
https://www.google.com.au/search?sourceid=chrome-psyapi2&rlz=1C1CHZL_enAU693AU693&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8&q=meaning%20of%20penetrate&oq=meaning%20of%20penetrate&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.16187j0j8
However, we don’t know what happened at that situation….Because, no one in the right mind would go through these barred wires and dusty route ( all dressed up clean and nicely ), unless it was the only option….So, I believe this Captain and the Crew had no other choice….
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shevan / January 24, 2017
Usually articles that appear on CT involving SriLankan are of contentious nature.But this particular one is of pure nonsense.Crew certainly would not have breached the perimeter the way they did without the approval of the Authorities though they were not obliged to do so.Many other Airline Crew would have simply opted to stay back at their Crew Hotel instead notwithstanding the passenger inconvenience.
For once let us appreciate the good work
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Peace Lover / January 24, 2017
Nothing wrong with this,I’m sure it has been done with the approval of the Indian Authorities and the Capt of Srilankan airlines needs to be congratulated for taking this measure to (which im sure was with Indian approval) to gain access to the aircraft whereas he could have just stayed back and got more overtime in the crew hotel if he wanted
Common CT you seem to be going very low to the level of the tabloid Sun newspaper of UK and also your headline is mischievous and misleading please dont go to the level of lankaenews
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Rozy / January 24, 2017
I don’t see anything wrong. We should applaud the crew and captain for taking such measure to bring down the passengers . I think it high time people write with more positive energy than finding faults . Mr. Janaka no offence but please don’t write for the sake of writing . Use Abit of common sense no person would be allowed to take off … without any legal approval.
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Brian / January 24, 2017
Regardless the company or the individual being referred here, this is strongly unprofessional to the definition!. If there was a time that crew can not come out of the airport or go back in to the airport, what the Commander (so called Captain) should have done is either stay on Aircraft (or other way – stay at hotel), rather than going through this risky route. Remember, when flight crew and cabin crew are in duty, safety is their prime concern – and you expect the crew to jump over fens and tear their shirt and report to duty?… Nonsense!!!…
Three people must be questioned with regards to this video:
1) The Captain – who may have forced the crew to take the route or have just accepted the Duty Manager / Airport Manager’s request
2) Airport or Duty Manager at Madurai – for being such unprofessional in handling crew
3) One who shared this video as SriLankan is having Social Media Policy which can lead to disciplinary actions (just like FAU president)
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Nile / January 24, 2017
Very misleading heading.
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Kugan / January 24, 2017
Next time arrange a protest block the air port,then terrorists pose as captain and crew take charge of the plane.
It is serious breach of security,giving wrong signals.
Wonder how safe are these air ports,rather than having hassle would have had the barbed wire cutter reach the air craft with crew coach.
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George cooper / January 24, 2017
I think it shows initiative on the captains part and consideration to the fare paying passengers who would otherwise have been inconvenienced. He should be praised, not castigated
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chamz / January 24, 2017
there’s nothing wrong with it .Captain and the crew must be given a reward for going that extra mile to make it happen . they seem to have obtained consent from the airport officials to do this.
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vetmahadeva / January 24, 2017
My warmest Congratulations to Capt.R. De Alwis and his crew of the national carrier for being mindful of passenger’s difficulties and bravely breaking the protocols for the same reason
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P.R.ANTHANIES / January 24, 2017
WHY ARRANGED FLIGHT WITHOUT PROPER SECURITY DEFENSE AND ALSO IT IS MADURAI AIRPORT SECURITY CHIEF RESPONSIBLE OF PROVIDING PROPER SECURITY FOR SRILANKAN CREW MEANWHILE IT IS VERY SHAMEFUL AND INDIAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE NECESSARY ACTION AGAINST THIS .
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Kalu Lal / January 24, 2017
Must be a slow news day for CT. Hats off to Captain Alwis for for finding away to get the crew to a hotel. CT should look in to how Anura Kumar Dissanayake got a house in Iraland. Now that is NEWS.
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Samson / January 24, 2017
One thing for sure. I will always fly SriLankan, because I know the crew will do everything possible to get me to my destination. Well done Captain R. De Alwis and crew for taking the right decision to get the passengers to their destination.
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Shan / January 24, 2017
Hats off to the captain and the crew! Shame on you Chief of Madurai Airport Security! He should be responsible for not taking taking proper security measures for their safety.
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Tango mike / January 24, 2017
Come on CT…looks like you chaps have plunged to new lows…
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Spring Koha / January 24, 2017
The Sri Lankan crew are clearly acting under the aegis and protection of the Madurai officials.
The titling does no credit to CT; disappointing.
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Kavan Weerasinghe / January 24, 2017
Hats off to the crew and well done.
Colombotelegraph just fixed the last nail of its coffin. Who read your news now?
Once you posted that a pilot had dated a stewardess. you are run by the doped pilot who got caught in europe. You are just a garbage bag of the Sri Lankan Airlines.
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Leelagemalli / January 24, 2017
Kavan @,
this could well end up in life losses/damages/injuries.
Capatin could have handled it a better manner.
I think it is no means a wise deicision captain to handle it that way.
Sure, passngers would have been waiting for them. But what if all these crew memembers were injured by the rival folks in uncivilized city areas of the underdeveloped india ?
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M De Silva / January 24, 2017
It only seems to me that CT is hell bent on insulting srilankan airlines. It’s clear that this could only be done with the approval of the airport officials. The crew could have easily rested in the lounge than go through with this so please appreciate things been done than always coming up with something to put everyone down. Don’t make up things if you don’t know the story behind it. Shame on you. Big question on the credibility of your stories to come as well.
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Mohamed Awoon Awoof / January 24, 2017
I appreciate the whole crew for taking this option,we should be mindful that without the approval of the airport duty manager & the security clearances he will never come to this move,we can see in this video officials are guiding the crew,sin poor stewardess too have to follow while walking a long distance sweating wiping there face,in a emergency situation what they did should be appreciated,they would have stayed back,but came forward as a team to fulfill there duty &especially save a couple of millions for the airline which is already running at a Lost,airline have to give full board accommodation to all the passengers who had checked in plus transportation should be arranged to & return from the hotel,new time schedule for departure and one thing we have to remember there are passengers who want to be in Colombo on time,and this flight never came empty from Madurai,Hats Off for the whole crew for doing this service taking all the pain & hardwork others too should follow this example during a much needed time.
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Athula Jayawardane / January 24, 2017
Well done Captain Alwis and his crew !
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Mohamed Awoon Awoof / January 24, 2017
I appreciate the whole crew for taking this option,we should be mindful that without the approval of the airport duty manager & the security clearances he will never come to this move,we can see in this video officials are guiding the crew, the poor stewardesses too have to follow while walking a long distance,in an emergency situation what they did should be appreciated,they could have stayed back however they chose to come forward as a team to fulfill their duty & especially save a couple of millions for the airline which is already running at a Loss. In case they stayed back the airline has to give full board accommodation to all the passengers who had checked in plus transportation should be arranged to & from the hotel. The thing we have to remember is that there are passengers who want to be in Colombo on time,and this flight never came empty from Madurai,Hats Off for the whole crew for doing this service. Others should follow this example during a much needed time.
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Rajash / January 24, 2017
Only Sri Lankan cabin crew will “stoop so low”
a shame to our national carrier and our national pride
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Jitendra S Dabadgaonkar / January 24, 2017
I thought only India have Prestitutes.
When done in coordination with Airport security it is legitimate.
All Airlines must advocate such commitment by airlines staff.
Writer, still I am with you as if you dont give such misleading titles, people just don’t read it. Haha
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Rajash / January 24, 2017
What this highlights is the security issue at Madurai airport.
No one should be allowed access to the secured airport area in this manner.
The Madurai airport officials who escorted the Sri Lankan crew should be identified and sacked on the spot.
The judgement of the Sri Lankan crew should also be questioned. The whole lot should also be sacked.
The captain should have used his common sense (if he had any)and asked the question – if the crew cant get to the airport due to the jallikattu protest how are the passengers going to get there?
I understand that all the local Indian flights were cancelled or delayed. Their cabin crew did not creep through the barbed wires.
I am sure ISIS is watching this video.
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rapid / January 24, 2017
Madurai and Madras airports are run by Kochi personnel. That says it all; how the captain got permission.
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Rajash / January 24, 2017
hmmm I wonder how LTTE famously attacked the Katunayake airport run and guarded by Sinhala Army and Navy.
LTTE fighters crept through the barbed wire.
it seems Sri Lankan cabin crew also learnt a thing or two from LTTE.
Good on you Cabin Crew
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Gobba / January 24, 2017
The crew behaved with a lot of dedication. Bravo to all if them, especially the Captain.
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Karta Singh / January 24, 2017
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
What is the purpose of this article? To create a negative impression of the crew?
Shame on you Mr Reporter
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vimk / January 24, 2017
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
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laskiri / January 24, 2017
thus is nothing more than the so call south Asian super power animals in the India.before they call such super power in the region they must follow the human dignity.
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maalumiris / January 24, 2017
So CT, what’s the real story here ?
Can’t imagine airport and security officials idly standing by and watching people breach an International Airport’s security perimeter. Not these days. No Way !
SO, it must be that no breach occurred, or if it did, it was with the approval and permission of the airport and security officials
No Harm, No Foul
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