Kabir says hands are tied, wants action on Srilankan “mafia”

Minister of Public Enterprise Development Kabir Hashim today called for strict action to be taken against a “mafia” at SriLankan Airlines.

The Minister also said that his hands are tied in some aspects and so he is unable to do what he wants to do.

Kabir Hashim said that action must be taken against some former and current SriLankan Airlines officials based on the J.C. Weliamuna Report on the National airline.

“There was a mafia in Srilankan. It is still there. It needs to be cleaned. I think the Weliamuna Report has its merits and it needs to be implemented. I have some restrictions but i am determined to clear that place and I am going to take some steps,” he said.

The Minister said that the Criminal Investigations Department is investigating some aspects of the Weliamuna Report.

Hashim said that while the airline was operating at a huge loss when the former Government was in power, it is now seeing a reduction of those losses.

“We have taken steps to revive the airline. We are following the proper procedure to do this,” the Minister said.

The Minister said that the airline is now being restructured through a private-public-partnership.

He said the Government had cancelled orders given by the previous administration for four new A-350 aircraft which were scheduled to be delivered this year.

The Minister said the Government will also look to negotiate and cancel an order given for?another four A-350 aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2020.

Hashim said that investigations are also ongoing on fraudulent deals on A-350 aircraft made by the former Government. (Colombo Gazette)

https://colombogazettecom.wpcomstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ZOOM0109.mp3