Chairman of the Parliament watchdog Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Prof. Charitha Herath yesterday ordered SriLankan Airlines to put on hold the process of leasing 21 aircraft for the period 2022-2025.

The order had been given in view of the prevailing dire economic situation facing the country, Parliament sources said.

Prof. Herath also said that the entire process should be reviewed and it had to be ascertained whether the relevant procurement process was in conformity with proper procedures.

He accordingly advised the Secretaries to the Ministry of Tourism and the State Ministry of Aviation and Export Zones Development.

The COPE Chairman also recommended that a procurement guideline be duly prepared and submitted to the Cabinet through the Minister for the relevant procurement as a Cabinet decision.

The Committee acknowledged that the replacement of aircraft at the end of the service period was essential for the continued operation of the airline. However, in view of the current economic crisis it was important to pay more attention to relevant requirements.

SriLankan Airlines management was summoned before COPE yesterday (25) following a debate in Parliament on the recent chartering of aircraft.

Ashok Pathirage, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines and other senior officials pointed out that several aircraft out of the 24 existing ones would be removed in the near future and that the process would take some time as the acquisition of aircraft could not be done immediately.

Accordingly, considering the relevant market conditions, the process would take between 6-12 months and those activities would be carried out through the Ministry in a more transparent manner, Pathirage said.

The COPE Committee members also appreciated the efforts of professionals with high experience in management in the country, working together to upgrade SriLankan Airlines.

The Chairman of SriLankan Airlines further pointed out that in the face of the current challenging situation, a large number of staff cuts had been made and the salaries of the employees had to be reduced. He thanked the staff for contribution to the betterment of the company.

Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, State Ministers D.V. Chanaka, Indika Anuruddha, MPs Mahinda Amaraweera, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Dr. Harsha de Silva, Eran Wickramaratne, S.M. Marikkar, Madhura Withanage, Premnath C. Dolawatte, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Ashok Pathirage and other senior officials were also present at the Committee meeting held yesterday.