President of the Airline Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka Capt. Ruwan Vithanage further endorsing the pilots no confidence in the national carrier’s Senor Management, went on to blame Chairman Ajith Dias for leaking falsified, unsubstantiated and conflicting information to the media.
Ajith Dias – Chairman SriLankan Airlines
In a letter dated 20th December 2017 and copied also to President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Capt. Vithanage went on to write “We wish to categorically state that the correspondence of the Alliance addressed to you and signed by the ALPGSL was not copied to any media as claimed by you. It was however noted that your correspondence to all unions dated 15th December 2015 was published in mass media on the 16th of December 2017, but sent to us in an official capacity only on the 18th of December 2017.
Blaming Chairman Dias further especially with regards to their awareness meeting with all Unions held on the 6th of December 2017 titled “Way Forward for the Airline”, Capt. Vithanage went on to say that no restructuring plan was presented or discussed with them at that time.
“All Unions present on this day, were merely briefed by you with regards to the dire situation faced by the Airline and told to expect change, if not possible closure of our airline itself. You were thereafter requested by the ALPGSL and other employee representatives to officially communicate your message, along with the three options in writing to all employees. Subsequently your communiqué in the English language was of the stark contrast to that of the Sinhala translation: on which there was no mention facing a possible closure of the Airline. This was only corrected on our query of the same.” The letter went on to state.
Writing further regarding the interview Chairman Dias gave a media institution, he stated “Having written to all employees of the possibility of closure of the company, you subsequently proceeded to contradict your own written statement by saying ‘we are not going to close the Airline’, in response to the Media attention that was attracted due to the content of your own communiqué.”
Concluding the President ALPGSL wrote “We would also like to an equivocally state at this point that the ALPGSL remains an independent body, with no political affiliations and that no point have we objected to any restructuring process of our Airline. However, the ALPGSL and the other unions of the airline as an “Alliance” have placed on record its first suggestion for the process; which is that we at Sri Lankan Airlines are of the firm belief that your management team have proven to be ineffective and unsuitable for the task at hand.”
Meanwhile at the concluded Cabinet Briefing held earlier yesterday, Government Media Spokesman and Minister of Health, Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine Rajitha Senaratne stated that the Chairman Ajith Dias and CEO Suren Ratwatte must be removed. This was after they had both sent in letters to the employees of the national carrier to brace themselves because some will be removed. They are pocketing nearly Rs 3 million a month despite plunging the airline into further crisis. They should be terminated for contributing to this colossal loss the national carrier has continued to make.
We publish below the letter sent by ALPGSL President Capt. Vithanage in full:
Singhalese pundit / December 21, 2017
We have only one choice.
To get rid of all corruptions we need to vote for JVP.
Why Sinhalese people do not trust JVP.they are good. And honest .
Why can not you trust them..
I think AKD is best speaker Sri Lanka produced for many years .
He is honest..
Jvp is a good party.
Please vote for them to see a different country
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Jim softy / December 21, 2017
AKD also has been sold to UNP. the best option is Forces mostly Army saved the country. Some of those individuals can take over the country and establish an interim govt. People will support it.
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nimal fernando / December 22, 2017
Weerawansa was once a JVPer …………………enough said about JVP.
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Yeah, Bring back Sajin Vass and Mahinda’s brother in law! ….. Alls forgiven …………..and let them run it like before. There were no complaints then ……… the unions were as happy as Larry.
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In SL who do you appoint? ……..Sri Lanka has gone down the tubes ……..everybody is the same ….. all corrupt to the core ……….all what’s left is different sets of crooks accusing one another …….as if they are squeaky clean ……
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CB Governor Coomaraswamy is a rare find (sorta like looking for the holy grail in Lanka) ……….. a throwback to a bygone era; where there were many people of integrity …………
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Sirisena shoved him in there by force. Ranil didn’t want to appoint him because he is uncomfortable with independent people of integrity ……………he much prefers his incompetent cronies …………….
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Now that’s about Ranil ……… who wanna talk about Rajapakse appointees?
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Let’s keep this balanced and nonpartisan
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Ah! Mother Lanka ………….where would ye be without ye people?……………
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thrishu / December 22, 2017
Sajin Vaas? Are You crazy man? Was nt it SJG behind Himin Air that was in debt by billions and then was forced on to SLK Airlines so that its debts could be wiped out by public assets! Yes crafty bugger he was for crafty work, but I would not give him a job that requires a man of integrity.
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Jagath Fernando / December 22, 2017
A few points to consider:
1 renegotiate the aircraft leases
2 renegotiate fuel contracts with CPC to ensure they are compatible with regional prices
3 staff voluntary retirement with compensation. Cannot have 7,500 staff operating 20 aircrafts with an average of 250 staff per aircraft
4 renegotiate staff salaries. Cannot afford to have pilots at Rs 2 million per month and stewardesses at Rs 500,000 per month with allowances.
5 appoint a new board with accountability
6 cut down routes such as Melbourne which is incurring a daily loss of Rs 1 million.
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Ansar / December 21, 2017
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Sagara / December 21, 2017
Before people support J V P they should apologize to the Sri Lankan Nation for crimes committed by them in the past J V P is the . main Party which opposed the Provincial council system.They wanted to kill the first 5 people who voted at the 1st Provincial Council Elections.How could they ask people to Vote for them Now..
They have burnt C T B busses and paddy stores all over the Country.. L TT E gained ground because they destablise South.
This election is a good opportunity for Srilankans to bury J VP forever.
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Sinhala_Man / December 23, 2017
Yes, Sagara,
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We are all too conscious of the chequered pat of the JVP. respectable English-speaking people like that would never vote for them.
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That was the position; it may change now. Yes, it may be that we are afraid that we may actually have to work if they become a significant force.
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Well, things have got so disappointing with Yhahpalanaya that I’m wondering, for the first time ever, whether to vote for them.
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There is little to suggest that they are still the same old JVP that was guilty of all those human rights abuses; and they used to appeal to the chauvinistic streak in most Sinhalese. I see little evidence of that now.
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Their disruption of all State Universities for their SAITM protests, where not many students would have been interested in spending months on the streets is what still worries me.
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As for Sri Lankan Airways – I’m pretty sure that lots of emplyees are not merely overpaid (vis-a-vis other Sri Lankan workers), but also rotten to the core. There was a strong case for completely closing the Airline. I’m not happy subsidising these guys, while we crawl in poverty.
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As for apologising; Ican see the validity of what their now full-time apologist, “Singhalese pundit” had to say. And why not we at least acknowledge that there was unnecessary killing at the end of the Eelam War in 2009. It’ll be amazing if any of the Sinhalese politicians actually apologise.
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No, I’m not for burying the JVP , after they’ve begun behaving tolerably.
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Douglas / December 21, 2017
Today, I saw in the news, the Minister of Health and the Cabinet spokesman saying: “The entire Board of Directors and the CEO of Sri Lankan Airline must resign”. Is that the Government directive or another “stunt” by this “Vaachalaya” – the “Talkative” who even jumps into a fire without realizing he would be burnt. There is no debate over the fact that this Board and the CEO must GO. Then the Government must decide to bring this outfit under a “Competent Authority” NOT appointed by the Prime Minister; but by a decision of the Cabinet. Let that “Competent Authority” handle the “Restructuring” while engaged in the day to day running of the normal operations. This “Restructuring” MUST take into consideration the NEED to install personnel who are “Competent”; “Dedicated” to the Higher Management Levels and GET RID of all those “BUMP SUCKERS” by properly investigating all those allegations directed at them by the Weliamuna Report and any other added subsequent Mismanagement. That must include the present Board Members, CEO and the CCO and any others in Management. In this process, especially, the PM and all other politicians must KEEP OFF the track of RESTRUCTURING excepting in the case of Policy Decisions.
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Mallaiyuran / December 21, 2017
Sri Lankan Air Line is going where ever it was set to go by Old Royals. Dismantling Mihin did not save Sri Lanakan Air Line. This is what happening to SLFP and the country. SLFP is going wherever Solomon set it to go. Lankawe is going wherever Don Stephen set it to go. We all know the country bought the warships, Supersonic Jets, and centuries old – abandoned harmful arms from countries and sold the own lands to them, wide opened the county to dump their poisons to it people with decades ago died industries, while staunchly opposing western imports or allowing Western Management to save their loss making Corporation. ( Sooner or Later, a crook in Lankawe named aaSami, who was beaten by northern Tamils from making his a big haul of looting in an Iron Cage Deal, is going to come out with a plan of “convention material homes to Tamils” roofed with asbestos roofing. Then he will say the “Diaspora is wedging anything the government to give to the mother land Tamils”.)
But the path of the SLFP is the very interesting. Old destroyed New. New, escaped that trap by the grace of the Nayar Family Princess. Then went he against the Princess, abandoned the minorities voted for him to power and pampered the Old enemy in his party only to attract votes from Sinhala Buddhist and win an election in the way prescribed in Mahavamsa i.e not with the help of educated crowd or minorities.
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Mallaiyuran / December 21, 2017
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Mallaiyuran / December 21, 2017
I wrote here one time the Tamil saying “Arasan evvalli, Kudikal Avvali”, (Which way the king is, that is the way the subjects are) is need to be re-tuned to suit for democracy. “Kudikal Evvali, Arasan avvali” (which way the citizen are that is the way rulers are.) If there is a good use to the New Kings Thirukkai Waal, it is not the day of the election. When every Sinhala Modaya approaches to the booth, she/he has be removed to aside to be flogged with the Thirukkai waal and to be instructed, “Don’t think of the arrack and Biriyani you received this morning, but think of this flog when you plug in your cross.” Then they won’t vote for buying warships, in exchange for letting asbestos to poison the country. They won’t either oppose Western Managers managing National Carrier, Either.
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kolla / December 21, 2017
The deal with Air Asia in which Directors have conflict of interest is a stunning racket.
These chaps should be jailed
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Siri / December 21, 2017
The Board, the chairman, CEO and the top management of Sri Lankan are very, very Coozy with their perks and positions, so they don’t have any desire or will to see that this blood sucking monster should be trurned around. If any partner turns up, it’s they who sabotage every thing, for they going to loose every thing, for the last three years, they have built up a gold mine to earn thumbing suns of money. Best thing is Ranil should find some honest and high caliber persons to revive it. Right now, the best option is the government should take over it’s debts and handover it to a consortium of local blues chip firms at USD 1/- to run it and get the best results for the country. Also Ranil should stop running behind his Royal buddies as well as Charitha Ratwatta and Parskaralingam should go for they past their ages and their usefulness is over.
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Jim softy / December 22, 2017
Sri lankan govt news paper had a similar article and this looks like a modification. Is the guy Rana….a works for Ct. If this comment is not published we know it.
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Singhalese pundit / December 21, 2017
Dear Sagara.
I respect your opinion but I differ with you and disagree.
Do not tell JVP are murders.
Please do not tell that..
Who started killing in Sri Lanka?
Who killed thousands of youth in 1972 and 1988/1989.
These killings are official killing with power in hand.but VJP did not use official power to kill people .
I experienced those horrible days in Sri Lanka…I have seen burning bodies in tyers..
That was wrong decision..
JVP should apologise for it..
They have not done it .I think they did not do it for legal reasons..I think there would be some legal implication if they do it ..
But ..JVP has changed a lot today .
They are hard working and dedicated team of people .
Highly educated and very sincere people .
Honest people .
You can trust them fully .
Look at the knowledge; skills and talent of Anura Kumara with anyone today.
Ranil ; M&S and all do not have skills; knowledge and language of Anura.
I do not like politics.
It is Anura who made me interests in politics.
I love to listen to his talks more and more ..
Look at how much money looted by MR and co ..
Look at how many thieves are in local councils.
Look at how uneducated people are parliaments.
Put the country first .
Do not work for your selfish greedy personal gains.
I’m Sri Lanka and love Sri Lanka.
But only JVP could save Sri Lanka now.
Public should know that.
Educated people are coming to JVP in thousands.
You better change your mind too .
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gamini / December 21, 2017
Wishful thinking! Apart from the scores of innocent who were brutally killed by the JVP they also destroyed billions upon billions worth of Public property and put the country back by so many number of years. If the JVP are honest and intelligent would they have destroyed Public Property and caused immense hardship to the poor in the country? They are nothing but a set of Opportunists. It will be too late to regret as the ones who advocate JVP to be returned, are either former JVPers or ones who are ignorant idiots.
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Raj / December 22, 2017
I fully agree with sagala. Ok vote again for either of the two and start screaming. Always living in the past and repeating the same things like a parrot.
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Raj / December 22, 2017
I made a mistake I only meant I fully agree the views of Sinhalese pundit not this idiotic Sagara.
So many people are really fearful thinking that if JVP comes to power match over. People will have to really work hard to uplift the country and no body wants to do that sacrifice.For this they will give thousands of reasons and try to undermine what JVP says.
Raj
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K.Pillai / December 21, 2017
“SriLankan Airlines: Chairman Dias Is A Blatant Liar – Pilot Guild”
This implies that the Pilot Guild consists of angels. Are they?
GoSL is simply not able to find competent personnel to administer SriLankan Airlines. This malaise was inherited and is being propagated!
For example read the next CT article ~ “Saruwa Sunil Now Bats For Yahapālanaya: Wife Gets Nomination From Sirisena”
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Jim softy / December 21, 2017
Ranil appointed his men to the management and their excuse, Sri lankan airlines has too many employees. So, it has to continue unprofitable until the election. either the JVP or some one from forces has to take over the govt. Otherwise, no escape for voters. Because both the SLFP and UNP are two sides of the same coin.
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Jim softy / December 22, 2017
Sri lankan air lines hired more once the horapalanaya came. Air hostesses like employees are earning Rs 500.000 a month. IF so, consider how much the management would be earning. Chairman (CEO ?) is a businessman who is doing a catering business all over the asia as well A as duty free shops. He doe snot have time to read statistics about the air line. Ranil is trying to achieve his 10 million jobs in five years by filling the every govt institution. air line industry is very competitive and none in the air line has any fear about the job because they are ministers people. It looks pilots are threatening the management and I heard, they are threatening the CEO for revenue sharing.
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Good Sense / December 22, 2017
Sri Lankan only displays the undisciplined nature of our society, with opportunities to the best of devil-dances. Only a very few of our public enterprises have a success story behind them All others! One big mess! As someone always says the rule of law must prevail. If the elected lot believes in making hay while the Sun shines then why not others? If the bond scammers can rove around freely why not others?
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Spring Koha / December 23, 2017
What a way to run a business!
ps: Not surprising when you see the ‘cc’ – so many grubby little fingers in this pile of cow dung.
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ponnusami / December 26, 2017
Kick all the pilots! They have been runining this airline since Druvi days!
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