The Airline Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka officially complained to H.M.C. Nimalsiri the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka that the management of SriLankan Airlines is making them operate an unsafe flight pattern which threatens the safety of both their passengers and crew.
Suren Ratwatte
The SriLankan Airlines’ Pilots have so far submitted 34 Air/Ground Safety Reports to their Flight/Ground Safety Manager Capt. Keminda Yahampath, highlighting that they all experienced fatigue when operating an all-night flight from Colombo to New Delhi and back.
Fatigue and the risk of flight safety are a physiological state of reduced mental or physical performance due to sleep loss or extended hours of being awake. Fatigue is particularly prevalent among pilots because of a combination due to the unpredictable and long work hour’s, disruption of the body’s circadian rhythm and also the lack of sleep. The disruption to the body’s circadian rhythm and workload significantly increases the chance of pilot error especially during the critical phases of a flight during the takeoff and landing stages.
However describing pilot fatigue and the effects of it, the recently appointed Chairman of the National Air Transportation Safety Board Robert L Sumwalt speaking at a FAA symposium once said “It has been estimated that 4-7% of civil aviation incidents and accidents can be attributed to fatigued pilots. In the last 16 years, fatigue has been associated with 250 fatalities in air carrier accidents.”
Meanwhile Capt. Vithanage then went on to serve his airline’s CEO Suren Ratwatte a stern warning when he wrote “It is our understanding that this flight was commenced, despite the knowledge that it was a complete infringement on both sides of the WOCL of a crew member and that the time of departure should have also been taken into consideration, given the wake up time of such crew, prior to this flight. Therefore, the issue to be considered in this instance is not the block-time, but rather the fatigue implications posed by the current departure and arrival time into CMB”.
Going on to then threaten the CEO Ratwatte, the ALPGSL President Capt. Vithanage then went on to state “as of 4th September 2017, the Airline is in direct violation of not immediately addressing a highlighted matter of flight safety, as required by the SMS, mandated by the CAASL. Further, we believe that you; as the accountable manager, are also in arrant violation of a CAASL guideline issued to the Airline, and any independent audit would also consider this a serious lapse on your part. It is needless to say that should there be any incident/accident, you alone would be held solely accountable for flouting the guidelines of the CAASL and the decisions taken by the FSAG; an integral part of the SMS of the Airline.”
Colombo Telegraph has copies of these letters in its possession.
It is however alarming to note that SriLankan Airlines went on to plan this scheduled flight pattern despite the airline changing similar pilot patterns when operating to Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur in the past.
Meanwhile the management of SriLankan Airlines in their quest to mitigate the fatigue issue on this particular flight pattern, opted by blocking a full fare salable seat in business class, in order to carry an extra pilot on this flight for safety reasons.
Despite the management opting to take this counter measure, pilots of the national carrier still went on to submit 34 Air/Ground Safety Reports raising alarm bells that there is a concern of flight safety that requires immediate attention.
Sources confirmed that a meeting had taken place between the airline’s management headed by CEO Ratwatte and the ALPGSL which was headed by Capt. Ruwan Vithanage yesterday.
However at the conclusion of the meeting CEO Ratwatte had stated that he has to discuss matters with his Board of Directors prior to making any changes to this reported unsafe flight pattern currently adopted by the airline.
Meanwhile a source within the CAASL when contacted by Colombo Telegraph said “It is usually unheard of for such a volume of Air/Ground Safety Reports to be submitted by SriLankan Airlines pilots in such a short period.”
“The management of SriLankan Airlines has got two options to solve this crisis. Either they change the flight timings or even simpler provide the pilots a layover in New Delhi. Cost wise it is not going to have many implications giving them an overnight stay. As it is they are blocking the sale of one Business Class seat and paying flying allowances for the extra safety pilot they are carrying anyway. Blocking of off days for three pilots before and after this flight is also a loss of pilot man days. However the crucial thing that needs to be considered from a safety aspect is the low visibility and fog into Delhi during the upcoming winter season. Diversions due to pilots exceeding flight time duty limitations will also then come in effect,” he went on to say.
Issues such as these if not resolved will certainly also go on to hamper the International Civil Aviation Organization’s audit which is scheduled to be conducted on the CAA of Sri Lanka next year.
As it stands the CAASL has already sought relief in obtaining more time from the ICAO auditors, so that they could get their policies, processors but more over their act together.
Recently SriLankan Airlines failed the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) conducted safety audit, which left a serious black mark on the 38 year old national carrier’s safety record, managed and run by the Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University qualified CEO and Crew Resource Management Specialist Suren Ratwatte. (By Jacqueline Senanayake)
Jagath Fernando / October 6, 2017
Here we go again !! Pilots Guild clashing with the CEO. Is it due to the CEO being one of them some time ago?
Safety is paramount and no compromises please.
I get the feeling that the Pilots Guild is also trying to capitalize during these tough times and arm bending tactics coming into play !!!
The average monthly payment for a pilot is in excess of Rs 2 million with flying alowances. made to understand that we have 250 pilots for the 25 planes and our planes are in the skynfor less than on an average 12 hours per day. stewardesses are on Rs 500,000 per month with allowances.
How about a voluntary pay cut from the pilots and cabin crew to save the airline?
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Mudliyar / October 6, 2017
Jagath Fernando writes like an imbecile who has woken from deep slumber. Perhaps he’s still dreaming or disillusioned in thinking that a pay cut from both cabin crew and pilots would suffice to save the financially battered carrier. Jagath the airline is in such a state due to the political and financial blunders of the corrupt politicians and the equally corrupt hierarchy of srilankan. Even if the cabin crew and pilots work for free we are in the doldrums. What this beleaguered carrier needs is a dynamic, motivated politically unmotivated Ceo and a board of directors who understand the trade to redeem the national carrier. Alas a tall order for this country.
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Jurassic100 / October 6, 2017
Mudliyar
What Jagath Fernando has proposed is constructive. It will not make the unprofitable airline profitable but will help in cost reduction. A recent news item stated, 191 staff at SriLankan Airlines receive salaries over Rs 1 mil per month. 187 of them are Pilots. Allowances will be additional. Cabin Crew receive salaries and allowances in excess of Rs 500,000 per person, their basic educational qualification being GCE ‘O’ levels. The recent piece by Rajeewa Jayaweera in Colombo Telegraph states: quote“In 2016/17, Group Employee Costs including Crew Salaries amounted to LKR 20,015.81 Mn. Crew Expenses consisting of allowances amounted to an additional LKR 5,435.70 Mn making the total Salaries and Allowances bill a massive LKR 25,451.51 Mn.” unquote. Can a loss making entity afford a Salaries and Allowances bill of Rs 25 billion? Their transport costs are additional.
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Mudliyar / October 7, 2017
Jurassic
This is exactly the problem in this country. Those who are born with a silver spoon in the mouth dictating terms to others. Gce o/levels are not the cabin/ tech crew jobs are some of most demanding fatigue inducing jobs around. Srilankan crew are some the most underpaid in the region. Mr. Jurassic, when you hop on board the aircraft your life is in the hands of the crew. It’s not the education that will decide if you live or see the maker but the spontaneous decisions they make. The crew salaries make a minuscule portion of the total bill. Anyone with even basic education will grasp that. You need to re examine you numbers. Before you point your finger at anyone please check how you voted at the last election and if your preferred candidate passed his or her “O” levels. The syndrome you’re suffering is popularly known as ENVY.
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Jurassic100 / October 7, 2017
Mudliyar
Your narrative is unfortunately flawed from several angles and would be endorsed by few, other than crew themselves. Firstly, when I hop on board an aircraft, I place my life first in the hands of Engineering staff. Unless they sign off the aircraft as operational and safe, crew (both pilots and cabin staff) might as well stay at home. Secondly, Engineers readying the plane and pilots / cabin crew flying the plane is of no use unless the Sales chaps fill the plane with passengers. The list goes on. Should they also not receive packages of Rs 500,000 or above? Each Dept. is equally important for a successful operation. From a different perspective, universally, higher education combined with experience enables superior spontaneous decision making. Pilots and Cabin crew salaries and allowances amounting to around 40% of company’s payroll and allowances besides 15% of company’ payroll costs is due to their negotiations with ‘O’ level qualified former Chairman Nishantha (Nish to some cabin female crew) Wickramasinghe. Only the uneducated do not grasp benefits of higher education as we see from majority who got voted to last and current parliaments. Lastly, the country has been in the hands of those born with a wooden spoon in the mouth who can no wait to replace it with a silver spoon, financed by ill-gotten wealth. Since you ask, I last cast a valid vote in the 1982 general election for the JVP – not because I was a supporter but as a protest vote. Since then, I have cast my vote making sure it is spoilt.
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Mudliyar / October 7, 2017
Jurassic
Your absolute bias in in this context is clearly visible. Your assumptions are fundamentally flawed. Firstly you seem to think that the pressurized tube can only meet with the inevitable due issues technically. You fail to comprehend that there are in numerous other causes that can occur on board that can result in fatalities. I suppose the engineers hands you so aptly put you life in will treat you if you suffer medical issues in the aircraft. Or even get you out of the tube if you end up in the sea or land when crashed. I will not waste anymore time with the likes of you who are narrow minded and with blinkers. No where did I insinuate that higher education is not beneficial. However education is not the only salient point in driving anything forward. I’m certain that srilankan like all other government entities can be run profitably if they are devoid of political influence. As all other unprofitable state ventures srilankan too is a job bank for any elected party. The staff here is not at fault. The policy makers are. Be a bit more circumspect before you cast your vile aspersions on the cabin staff.
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Jimsofty. / October 7, 2017
This should be true. when over 7000 staff is paid by 24 planes, it should be a bkrupt air line. Why you peole do not take against selling the air line to employees. So, your future is in your hand. It should be employee owned 51 govt/49 employee, and ask the govt take their hands off. Get a Good CEO and get rid of most of the extra staff.
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nic / October 7, 2017
Mudliyar: This is history repeating itself! Remember Air Ceylon? Same practices of corruption, nepotism, cronies of politicos who know next to nothing about business management, airline and aviation – being at the helm of things.
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Jagath Fernando / October 7, 2017
If the pampered pilots are complaining of fatigue and tiredness please take them out and ground them for 2-3 months so that they can recover well. There are enough in waiting list to join the airline.specially to fly the narrow bodied A 320s. Also where in the world do pilots get picked up from home to do their flying duties??
Also if the trolley babies are also complaining of fatigue ground them to do admin work please. But they will have to take a 80% pay cut when grounded !!
2,000 cabin crew and 250 pilots to fly 25 aircraft and a total of 7,500 staff to fly 25 aircraft. This has no future !!
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Jimsofty. / October 6, 2017
Air lines in the wirld went bankrupt so many times. therefore, Experienced pilots are available all over the world. I think, there asian pilots too in Hog Kong and in singapore. There should be british pilots too. Bring their salaries under control. close $ 20,000 per month is exorbitant salaries. then the whle staff inside plane may be getting paid more than what they earn in one trip. So, the CEO should be a dummy. cut his salries or fire him.
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Raj / October 7, 2017
Maybe the CEO can start by refusing his Rs 10m bonus for under performing.
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Jagath Fernando / October 6, 2017
The pay cut of Pilots and stewardesses to take place only if CEO forego his Rs 10 million bonus .
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Jimsofty. / October 7, 2017
I think the solution is fire the CEO who is Ranil wickramsinghe’s relative or brother of his advisor friend. FIRe CEO and ask the crews to take pay cuts, Sell the air line to employees. So, they have the responsibility as well as to opportunity to earn more. Get rid of extra employees promisign them if more planes come into service good among them will be the first to hire. Even,if the Pilots and crew refuse, there are cheaper ones providing better ervice available outside.
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justice / October 6, 2017
Do we need an airline which looses billions each year when many people are living below the poverty line?
This happens only in Sri Lanka.
Selling it after advertising world wide even at a loss, will save lives and misery.
Let all “VIPs” travel by other commercial carriers or by chartered aircraft for special occasions only.
This white elephant is maintained only for false prestige and because most of the employees are unsuitable/unqualified political appointees.
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John / October 7, 2017
This is surely the obvious option!
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Hirantha Perera / October 6, 2017
During the days of Mihin Lanka there was non of this nonsence. The pilots flew these routes for Sri Lankan Airlines without a problem, of course there were one or two bad eggs that were foreign, but never the locals.
CEO Ratwatte should ground all the UL pilots who filed the ASR citing Fatigue, take them off the roster, remove all the travel previleges and make them stay at home for 2 or 3 months to get over their fatigue, send them for Psychological evaluation ( atleast three sessions one month apart to ensure they have got over the fatigue and bring them back for a simulator assessment before being put back on the Roster if they pass, this should happen each time someone reports fatigue which will cure there symptoms in an instant.
The whole problem is the damn CEO of Sri Lankan Airlines is a nitwit. Not a shrewd Businessman like Harry J who can outwit his staff when they come up with some cock and bull excuses.
Or, you need a Pilot with Technical and more so a Business Mind set to turn this airline around. No certificate from any University on this planet leave alone Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, which I equate to Acquinas Institute in Colombo at best, can prepare a person to manage an airline such as Sri Lankan Airlines.
The Pilots, Cabin Crew and Engineers should realise that if this airline collapses, they will all be out of a job and except for the Middle East Singapore and Vietnam the Sri Lankan Qualification is not worth the paper it is written on and jobs are hard to get.
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Jeremy Perera / October 6, 2017
Wow what a brilliant idea, I suppose you’ll also be commenting your great wisdom on an article where a plane crash occours due to pilot fatigue as well? We have car accidents occurring with people falling asleep at the wheel. Imagine a pilot having to make life and death decisions while half his brain is shutting down due to fatigue? Can someone please lead this donkey back into the stable? He seems to be lost
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Jimsofty. / October 7, 2017
When there are 187 pilots and only there re 24 or 25 planes, how come pilot crash the plane. Why planes are permitted to fly without ground maintenance approval.
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Hirantha Perera / October 7, 2017
It is very elementary, If you are fatigued remove yourself from flight, in any case the airline is managed and airacraft operated by a bunch of Donkeys, else it wouldn’t be in this state today, more over I would be leaset surprised to see these donkeys falling asleep at the controls for what I just said they are a bunch of DONKEYS!!!
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Jim softy / October 9, 2017
It looks CEO Is a crooked and useless fellow. He should be fired without anything. He can be the major problem. He is a pilot yet he can not run the air line. Probably, Air line pilot doe snot need O/L to fly the plane.
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Guwan Papa / October 6, 2017
How is life on the other side of the Indian Ocean? Seems like you’ve been caught in one too many sand storms. The screen name you CHOSE to use is a dead give-away. Just because UL didn’t take you back because of what you did when you were here, don’t try to dump a steaming load on the heads of your former colleagues.
1. When exactly did you (while flying for Mihin) do a flight that departed and arrived at the same time that the 197/198 depart and arrive at? If so and being a Pilot yourself, you wouldn’t report a flight which you know is a safety hazard? One that could maybe end up being a disaster due to pilot fatigue?
2. The pilots at UL are clearly not saying they need a layover. Any donkey reading this article (other than your species) can understand that. What they are saying is to bring the departure time forward by a couple of hours or give them a layover which will actually cost less than blocking a seat both ways for the cruise pilot.
3. You mean to say that your way of dealing with multiple pilots reporting a serious safety hazard that could cost hundreds of innocent lives is by hammering those pilots and threatening them? People like you are the reason “pilot error” has become a scape-goat. Use your dumb theories over there and not in UL which has a zero fatality record.
The emphasis on this article is the fact that the CEO is refusing to acknowledge a safe hazard that his pilots are reporting. He as usual is acting like the typical bull in a China shop and doesn’t want to seem like he is giving in which is why he is trying to get the board to make decision. But the problem that everyone should see is that the UL pilots have come forward and clearly said that there is definitely something wrong. Listen to it! If not and if something does happen, it will be too late and it won’t be the first time that penny pushers have shafted a company or the public.
The CEO needs to wake up from La La Land and get his act together before he becomes the first CEO responsible for a hull-loss together with civilian deaths in the history of UL since 1947.
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Hirantha Perera / October 7, 2017
Since you seep to be knowing so much about DUMPING (which is all that you lot know to do) you don’t seem to know what your own airline was upto, I believe the former head of Mihin operations is working for you, so I suggest you educate yourself while taking that dump,
1. Departure and Arrival timing is purely a matter for Marketting to decide unless there are operational constraints such as airport closures, but those are beyond the comprehension of those who only know to dump or take dump and nothing more.
Unfortunately these are the very idiots who think they know to run a sucessful airline
FROGS IN A VERY SMALL WELL!!!
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Guwan Papa / October 7, 2017
Mate, you seem to have forgotten that you too were in this “well” and were in fact a toad. Sadly, the well has expanded/migrated for you but you choose to revel in the well you are all too familiar with. Sad you couldn’t adapt to your new surroundings.
Perhaps your good buddy MF needs to be briefed about your anti-establishment history. How you have pretty much been booted out of every company you’ve been in! So I suppose it’s the establishments that are at fault and not you.
Mate keep flying for the Rams and enjoy it while it lasts. Won’t be too long till you are shown the door there as well. If you have left, we neither need or want your comments about the company that we are loyal to.
Your lack of spine is clear by the name you have chosen as a screen identity. You two have your issues which the whole industry here knows about. Atleast be a man about it. If only your brain, your morals and your ethics match Ed the size of your body.
Tsk Tsk
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Hirantha Perera / October 7, 2017
Sorry to say Guwan Papa, I was never in your cesspit which you call your “well”, neither did I revel in it nor migrate, I’m very much in Sri Lanka.
If you think of yourself as the establishment then I am bloody well Anti-establishment. It is buggers like you who are responsible for the downfall of UL which you boast about to be so loyal to, with Crocodile Tears.
If YOU had some brains between your ears, I suggest you use them now, I’ve only worked for 3 companies in my life, all in Sri Lanka and I still maintain a very cordial relationship with the management.
Perish the thought the last thing I’d do is join you lot in the cesspit of your own making, even if it was the last job on earth. I’d rather run my company which is managed far better and much more profitable enterprise than your employer that you seem to be so “LOYAL” to that you lot choose to demand more and break it’s spine.
I have no idea who MF is, possibly a figment of your hallucination.
Since you claim to know so much about my size and anatomy, which unfortunately is way off, I wonder if you are describing yourself by looking into a mirror.
Bottom line: you guys are smarting when the truth is exposed and you chaps are stipped naked by CT, trying to figure out who commented on what will never justify those demands which are unreasonable, The end result being the closure of ths airline and mass redundancies.
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Ruwan / October 7, 2017
Yes we all know who you are and your history. Best that you first secure your job in that sandpit you call a home. Shame on you to use a name of another just cause he had shafted you. Of all the mihin products you take the glory of a coward and whos is walking on tight rope over a sand dune.
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Hirantha Perera / October 7, 2017
If you refer to this paradise island of ours as a sandpit, you seriously need your head examined. As for being Shafted, Time will tell who gets shafted, I think you are hallucinating by talking of desert and sand dunes.
Maybe its your fantasy.
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Gongalegoda Banda / October 6, 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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Gamarala / October 6, 2017
There is no EASA safety audit, what we know is that part of EASA maintenance approval was voluntarily suspended due to staff and other issues. So please get the right facts and also note that Flight operations are not following any EASA Stuff only engineering.
Misguided, mud slinging way of life.
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Komadu Dragon / October 7, 2017
Adey Gamararala,
EASA Audit screw up still comes under the CEO even if its Engineering related. It is a fact what CT has published. You talk as if only pilots run this damn airline. Typical arrogance of a glorified Airbus driver.
Komadu Dragon
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Gamarala / October 7, 2017
KD, facts are that srilankan has not failed an EASA safety audit! Flight ops are following EASA but do not have any EASA approvals like engineering. All this crap is leaked by Directors, who are hell bent on attacking the CEO and indirectly the PM it is so obvious!
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Ruwan / October 6, 2017
More than the tax payers it appears disgruntled former employees are making the most comment. When a patient is sick the solution is not to kill tge patient but find a good doctor. Has anyone questioned what qualifications the CEO had/s to take on such a task. Do they really want to privatise the airline? If they do Harry J or Wettasinghe can be given it. But why are they not?? Think my friends!!
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Dandumonara / October 9, 2017
Ado new Guild President, the taxpayer is clueless and totally unaware of what you and your bunch of thieves are up to, you and the rest were in Liquid Form when we got Air Lanka going, we made the sacrifises which you lot are not doing, therefore we have every right to be angry and not disgruntled as you put it.
In this case you lot have brought the patient to a level that is much better to let it die a natural death than trying to find a doctor which will cost more for nothing. The end result if the same, DEATH.
It is much better fpr the government to shut down Sri Lankan Airlines and float another new airline like in 1979 with dedicated people willing to make the sacrifice we once made.
Harry J would not have turned his back on the airline had he felt it could be turned around, Wetthasinghe just wants to maintain other services while shutting down flight operations, is that what we need?
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Baludasa / October 6, 2017
Aiyo this is sickening!. Enough is enough.with mud. CT is Srilankan.bashing now adays
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Jimsofty. / October 7, 2017
Everybody knows sri lanka has some some problem. It is over staffed. CEO is asking bonuses for running a bankrupt airline as a banrupt airline. OVer 7000 employees. Some times, mile high club sexual escpades by air hostesses, drunken pilots, dealys becase of srunken pilots are reported. Unlike Air lanka, Sri lankan air line is not reposrted as a air line with good hospitality.
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Ruwan / October 7, 2017
Seems like you are after a few..Anyone you knew or know was in the mile high club you seem so upset about it. we the general public are not aware of it.
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K.Pillai / October 6, 2017
This looks like some puerile point scoring.
The Airline Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka officially complained to H.M.C. Nimalsiri the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka that the management of SriLankan Airlines is making them operate an unsafe flight pattern which threatens the safety of both their passengers and crew.
Surely the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority should be able to decide this – to the lawperson it looks trivial.
If on the other hand the Airlines Pilot Guild of Sri Lanka is trying to rub in that the SriLankan Airlines Board is incompetent then they have better ways of doing this.
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Douglas / October 7, 2017
The “Safety Standards” in airline operations are of varying types ranging from equipment to that of operations, management and personnel involved. In that respect, in Sri Lanka, Civil Aviation Authority is the “Guardian” and hopefully that establishment will give a ruling in the matter complained of
Jagath Fernando: You request that the employees including the Pilots take a “Pay Cut” to salvage the airline. Do you find anyone such an employee in any of, both the Public and Private Sectors resolving to make a “sacrifice” to salvage the institution that gives them and their families a life to live. No. Not in Sri Lanka. History has recorded how the Japanese people worked free to bring back life to Hiroshima and Nagasaki for the benefit of the future generation.
Jurassic: You said 191 are paid 1 million salary a month and that include 187 pilots. The Pilots asked for this information under the Right to Information Act ; but the Airline has so far refuses to provide that information. The pilots have submitted a complaint to the Commission on RIT and still a decision is awaited. But recently the Airline was subjected to the scrutiny of the COPE and that overseeing authority has requested the Auditor General to submit a “comprehensive ” report and that is said to be made available to the Parliament within the course of this month. Do you also know that it has been revealed that there are at least three employees who receive Rs. 3 million a month i.e. Rs. 100000.00 a “Day”? Who are they? What are their “Job Functions” and “Responsibilities”? How have they “Functioned” so far to “Correct” the course of the business? In summary, as at date, this was the “PARADISE” of the previous regime and the “KINGDOM” in which there was a “HAREM” for the ex Chairman and few of the “Management Staff” (named in person) and PRESENTLY the “Exclusive Club” of Prime Minister Ranil and his clown colleagues. Let us await the COPE report and the Auditor General’s FINDINGS within the course of this month.
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Jimsofty. / October 7, 2017
Even in the USA, there are executives worked for months to save their respective work places. they worked hard until it turned around. In Sri lanka, there is no dedication, they just walk over the dead body if it profits them.
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UKCitizen / October 7, 2017
Here’s the truth about SriLankan:-
All the new airbus are leased on 12 year leases at above market rates. There are no termination clauses in these contracts.
This means that it is impossible to make money operating these aircraft – nothing can change that. Staff cuts/salary cuts are a drop in the ocean by comparison.
12 years of lease payments represents several Billion Dollars in liabilities. This means nobody will buy the Airline as it is impossible to ever make money.
There are yet more aircraft on the way and a further 4 A350 aircraft that are not needed. Yet more huge costs on the way.
The only way out is to shut this down.
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Kugan / October 7, 2017
It’s better wind up the air line.
It s very costly to keep on running
Just keep the catering,groud handling,engineering/maintenance…..
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Jim softy / October 7, 2017
Two Australian companies are being investigated over alleged bribery scandals linked to the presidents of Sri Lanka and the Congo, after the firms sought to secure multi-million-dollar contracts in those countries.
SMEC staff involved in alleged kickback request from office of Sri Lanka President when he was a minister. Engineering giant Snowy Mountain Engineering Company is being separately investigated over claims its staff sought approval to pay kickbacks to foreign officials, including a donation to the party of Sri Lanka’s president Maithripala Sirisena when he was a cabinet minister.
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Siripala / October 7, 2017
Rajind Rana is the silent game player here. Intoxicates both Big Boss and the Drivers Guild and then wait until the fight is over and looking for the next Big Boss seat. Haa da?… :D
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Shariff / October 7, 2017
Not again, pissing in the wind…..
So much for your accountability. No one is accountable for any decision they make in this loss making company. One hell of a carnival I guess.
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K.Pillai / October 7, 2017
The Colombo/Delhi flight time is 3hr 40 min.
Surely a return (after a couple of hours rest) cannot be that intense as to cause ‘dangerous fatigue’ as the Airline Pilots Guild puts it.
It should be easy enough to HMC Nimalsiri the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka to adjudicate. But he is waiting for instructions. So is the thick-skin CEO Suren Ratwatte!
The problem is indefatigable nepotism.
The Airline Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka officially complained to H.M.C. Nimalsiri the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka that the management of SriLankan Airlines is making them operate an unsafe flight pattern which threatens the safety of both their passengers and crew.
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maalumiris / October 10, 2017
K Pillai
I think you are making the assumption that the pilots set off fresh from Colombo to Delhi – That may not be the case… the crew may have brought a flight in from some other place… say Middle East or Europe for example, and then fly onto Delhi – in which case, definitely some time limit restriction would come into effect
As you would know, aircraft spend as little time on the ground as possible and that goes for aircrew also
Without roster information, it’s difficult to comment
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Baka pandithas / October 7, 2017
So many aviation experts here. Seriously guys, you should go run your airlines. Such a waste of time commenting on a forum on which no one takes seriously.
Also you’ll have more things to worry about than crew salaries.
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Jim softy / October 9, 2017
Baka Panditha: To give general advices do we have to be experts in aiviation managment. YOU don’t have experience as a executive manager.
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Plato. / October 7, 2017
Does an Airline Pilot and Cabin Crew receive emoluments more than the Chief Justice, Attorney General, Professors and the like?
If so, is this based on the skewed logic that Airline crew operate above Terra Firma and
the others are down to Earth.?
Why not sell the Srilankan Airlines so that it would not be a burden to this country?
Samurdhi beneficiaries on one side ,Air Hostesses on the other in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Srilanka!
Srilanka -A Land like no other!
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maalumiris / October 9, 2017
Can CT or Jacqueline Senanayake kindly refer me to the failed safety audit on the EASA site ?
I should really like to see it for myself
Thanks in advance !
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