News
Union: UL will be stripped of profitable units to ensure no takers for national carrier
By Rathindra Kuruwita
SriLankan Airlines must be restructured as a whole, and privatising only its profit making sections like ground handling and catering would only undermine the sustainability of the airline, President of the Nidahas Sevaka Samgamya (SLNSS) branch of the national carrier, Janaka Wijayapathiratne, told The Island.
Wijayapathiratne said that they have informed of their stance to the committee appointed to restructure the airline. He said that the committee has not called for expressions of interest from parties interested in buying SriLankan.
“The committee said that they will only call for expressions of interest in two months or so. Therefore, no one can say that there are no buyers for SriLankan. However, in recent weeks, there were media reports saying there are no buyers for SriLankan. Policymakers, too, have parroted this. Are some powerful people looking for a buyer outside the standard procedure?” he asked.
Wijayapathiratne said that in 2015, the Yahapalana government appointed a committee to restructure SriLankan. That committee called for expressions of interest locally and internationally. The interested parties had eight weeks to send in expressions, and six companies submitted their applications, he said.
“Three of them had fulfilled the necessary criteria. These companies were given the chance to study SriLankan. However, the Yahapalana government ultimately decided not to go ahead with restructuring of SriLankan. This is the practice that is to be followed this time, too,” he said.
The SLNSS President said that there are powerful groups that are trying to create the impression that no one wants to invest in the airline.
“They also try to convince the people that there is very low productivity at the airline. There are no surplus staff at SriLankan; in fact, there are many vacancies,” he said.
He said that when selecting an investor, the government must find a company that can enhance the capacity of SriLankan. There is no point in working with a regional airline that is a direct competitor, Wijayapathiratne said.
“Such an airline would only have a parasitic relationship with SriLankan. They will use our network and traffic rights to become stronger. In recent times, there are reports that some Indian airlines would like to invest in SriLankan. SriLankan tag line is to be ‘the most preferred airline in South Asia.’ If that’s our vision, can we work with another airline that has a similar objective?” he asked.
A number of policymakers, too, have been badmouthing SriLankan, he said. They are claiming that the airline is worthless, at a time the government is making a pitch to attract investors.
“Is this how you make a successful pitch? We must build up the image, so we can get a good deal. The problem in Sri Lanka is that the guilty have become accusers. For decades, the airline was undermined by policymakers who appointed unsuitable people to run the airline. Their henchmen were allowed to embezzle money and misuse assets. Now the same people, who authorised these activities, are telling us that the government can’t run the airline and that the company is bleeding money,” he said.
A meeting was held to discuss post-disaster planning and the reconstruction process, with special focus on flood-prone areas on Monday [8 th of December] at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of the Prime Minister, and attended by representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the critical importance of timely and systematic information and data collection to support timely and effective decision-making on a daily basis following the post disaster situations. The Prime noted that accurate data flows are essential for guiding recovery efforts in the short and long term.
The Representatives outlined the need assessment process using RAPIDA and Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE), the UNDP’s post-crisis assessment initiated by integrating GIS technology, satellite imagery, and ground-level data, to deliver real-time, actionable insights after a crisis to helps identify affected locations, communities, infrastructure damage, debris estimates, and land use changes-providing crucial data.
The representatives of UNDP reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Government and they expressed their readiness to collaborate closely and to strengthen ongoing partnerships to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of post-disaster response and reconstruction activities.
The discussion was attended by the Country Manager for World Bank Dr. Gevorg Sargsyan, Resident Representatives for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ms. Azusa Kubota, South Asia Director for United Nations Office for Project Services ((UNOPS), and Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary (Development) Ms Sagarika Bogahawaththa and officials from the Department of National Planning.
[Prime minister’s media division]
News
Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation donates Rs. 250 million to the Government for national recovery after the emergency situation
The Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation has donated Rs. 250 million to the Government to support the rebuild of the country following the emergency situation caused by the Ditva cyclone.
Chairperson of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, together with the Board of Directors, handed over the cheque to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 08 th of December at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Subsequently, a cordial discussion was held between the Foundation’s Chairperson, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
The occasion was attended by the secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and representatives of the Board of Directors of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] have been extended until 1600hrs tomorrow [10th December 2025].
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Panvila, Udapalatha, Minipe, Poojapitiya, Gangawata Korale, Thumpane, Doluwa, Pathadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Harispattuwa, Akurana, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Deltota, Medadumbara, Udunuwara, Kundasale and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Aranayaka, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Mawanella and Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Rideegama and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Ukuwela, Pallepola, Rattota, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula, Ambanganga Korale and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita, Kegalle and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Alawwa and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district and Nuwara Eliya, Nildandahinna, Thalawakele, Kothmale West, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha, Walapane, Kothmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Kolonna and Godakawela in the Ratnapura district have also been extended.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Mirigama, Divulapitiya and Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Balangoda, Kuruwita, Openayake, Nivithigala, Kaltota, Pelmadulla, Kalawana, Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Ayagama, Imbulpe and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
Timely and accurate data essential for effective decision making – PM
Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation donates Rs. 250 million to the Government for national recovery after the emergency situation
Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
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