By AJA Abeynayake

The Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (22) took up a case involving alleged financial irregularities amounting to Rs. 70 million during the leasing of 4.3 acres of land at the Krrish Transworks Square in Fort, Colombo.

 SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa, who has been named as a suspect in the case and is currently out on bail, was present in court during the proceedings.

The case, which has drawn significant public attention, centres on allegations of financial misconduct related to the leasing of prime land in the Colombo Fort area. The CID is leading the investigation into the matter.

 During yesterday’s hearing, investigating officers informed the court that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) had initiated a separate inquiry into MP Rajapaksa concerning the same incident.

Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura, after considering the submissions, directed that the ongoing case be taken up again on 04 June, pending further advice from the Attorney General’s Department. The court’s decision to adjourn the case allows time for the CID and CIABOC to continue its parallel investigations.

Aircraft Owners and Operators Association (AOOA) has complained of what it calls the dire state of Sri Lanka’s domestic aviation industry, citing systemic failures, regulatory incompetence, and a lack of adherence to international standards by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL).

The AOOA, at a media briefing on Tuesday, highlighted critical safety concerns, operational inefficiencies, and the potential collapse of the industry if immediate corrective actions were not taken.

The AOOA raised serious concerns about the concrete boundary wall at the Galle Road end of Colombo’s Ratmalana Airport, posing a significant risk to aircraft operations. The wall, constructed in 2006/07 in violation of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, remained in place despite repeated warnings from the Association. The AOOA pointed to the tragic Jeju aircraft crash in South Korea on December 29, 2024, where 179 lives were lost due to a similar concrete wall structure, as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by such obstructions.

The Association noted that the wall, currently leased for commercial advertising, should be replaced with a frangible fence as per ICAO standards. Despite instructions from Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake to remove the wall, the Director General of CAASL has failed to act, demonstrating what the AOOA describes as “professional incompetence and a lack of understanding of civil aviation procedures.”

The AOOA criticized the CAASL for its inability to address critical issues outlined in two key reports: the 2018 ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) and the October 2023 report by the Organisation of Professionals Association (OPA). The ICAO audit highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive review of national aviation regulations to align with international standards, while the OPA report accused the CAASL, Airport and Aviation Services (AASL), and the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) of being “obstructive rather than facilitative” due to the employment of unqualified and inefficient personnel.

The Association also highlighted the lack of licensed and experienced inspectors within the CAASL, who often issued directives contrary to manufacturer guidelines and industry best practices. This has forced operators to educate regulators, resulting in costly delays and operational inefficiencies. “The domestic aviation industry, already struggling, faces further challenges due to prohibitive costs and regulatory hurdles,” The AOOA has noted that the price of a domestic return ticket to Sigiriya is nearly equivalent to a Colombo-Singapore international flight, making Sri Lanka uncompetitive in attracting high-end tourists. The grounding of the entire domestic fleet in 2022 due to impractical insurance requirements drafted by the CAASL further exacerbated the situation, causing irreparable damage to the industry.

Additionally, delays in addressing duty-free import processes for aircraft spares have increased operating costs, making flight training and operations prohibitively expensive. The Colombo Flying Club, a hub for leisure aviation, has also been rendered non-operational due to unrealistic maintenance standards imposed by the CAASL.

The AOOA has urged the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation to take immediate corrective action, including implementing the recommendations of the ICAO audit and OPA report. Failure to do so, the Association warned, could lead to the withdrawal of investments and the permanent collapse of the domestic aviation sector.

The Association emphasised its commitment to partnering with the tourism industry to revitalize domestic aviation. However, without urgent reforms, Sri Lanka risks falling further behind regional competitors like the Maldives, which boasts a thriving domestic aviation sector with over 350 aircraft, compared to Sri Lanka’s meager fleet of fewer than 30.

Vice President for the South Asia Region of the World Bank, Martin Raiser, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya discussed critical areas, such as education, gender equality, and regional inclusivity, with a particular emphasis on enhancing access to quality education through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, the Prime Minister’s office said yesterday.

The Prime Minister’s office stated that the meeting highlighted the need to address national challenges and drive sustainable progress. A major focus of the discussion was the importance of aligning TVET with mainstream education to create diverse career pathways for students. Both parties underscored the potential of the TVET sector to equip students with practical skills and knowledge, thereby bridging the gap between education and employment.

“Aligning TVET with mainstream education is crucial to providing students with diverse career opportunities and ensuring they are well-prepared for the demands of the modern workforce,” the Prime Minister’s office noted. This alignment is expected to play a pivotal role in addressing youth unemployment and fostering economic growth.

In addition to education, the meeting also addressed gender equality in the workforce. Both the World Bank and the Sri Lankan government recognized the need for targeted policy interventions and support systems to enhance women’s participation in economic activities. This includes creating an enabling environment that promotes equal opportunities and empowers women to contribute effectively to the nation’s development.

The discussions reinforced the mutual commitment of Sri Lanka and the World Bank to collaborate on sustainable solutions that enhance education, gender equity, and regional development. The partnership aims to address systemic challenges and create inclusive growth opportunities for all segments of society.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the World Bank, including David Sislen, Regional Country Director for Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. On the Sri Lankan side, key representatives included Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Samantha Bandara, Director General of the Department of External Resources; Dharshana M. Perera, Senior Director-General for Economic Affairs (Bilateral) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Lashinka Dammullage, Director of the Southeast Asia & Central Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.