New Board of Directors appointed for SriLankan Airlines

9 October 2024 11:14 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 50 Bookmark

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Colombo, Oct 09 (Daily Mirror) - A new Board of Directors has been appointed for SriLankan Airlines with Sarath Ganegoda as the Chairman.

The board also includes Buddhika Hewawasam, Sugath Rajapakse, Eranga Rohan Peiris, D. Arandara, Ananda Athukorale, Lakmal Ratnayake and Niranjan Arulpragasam.

Comments - 50

Hassanda Wednesday, 09 October 2024 11:42 PM

Who are these Guys Wat aviation experience do they have An Airline Board members should consist Of experience Industry experts and Finance management professionals

39 111

Annonymous Thursday, 10 October 2024 12:11 AM

Sarath Ganegoda is beyond just a finance management professional. He is a renowned strategist and Sri Lankan airlines is lucky to have him.

14 23

Sam Silva Thursday, 10 October 2024 01:41 AM

Has long as they have paper qualifications with some degree, they assume they are qualified to do any job regardless of their experience.

4 24

Gabriella Thursday, 10 October 2024 02:10 AM

It does not matter who they are. It only matters that Mr Nuttall remains as the CEO.

1 18

Ram P Thursday, 10 October 2024 04:43 AM

You have a point. Wait for a few days and soon their details with experience will be reported in the Press the way we saw about a few other appointees to other positions. We first heard the names and then had their details

2 13

Rasi Thursday, 10 October 2024 05:02 AM

Hey Hassanda, he should be like Shiranthi's brother. Isn't' it?

6 9

Amaran Thursday, 10 October 2024 05:02 AM

Did previous Chairman had any Airline Experience when he was appointed?????? Did MR's BIL had any Airline Experience when he was appointed during Mahinda's time?

6 26

Damith Thursday, 10 October 2024 09:54 AM

That is the reason they grounded the airline

2 17

Izzy Sunday, 13 October 2024 04:20 AM

Of course, he had experience with the "flying angels"

0 5

List Their Credentials Thursday, 10 October 2024 06:05 AM

Need to list down their experiences so no speculations again on this matter. Preferably have a foreign agent to run it and government keeps a 51% share as mentioned previously by some on this issue.

1 12

lion Thursday, 10 October 2024 06:24 AM

The experts appointed by previous governments of M R and the clan ruined the whole air lanka.Wait and see what expertise these people have got.

4 16

Mark Sathi Thursday, 10 October 2024 07:04 AM

Brilliant man with the obvious unnecessary noise. Why don't you check the qualities of those appointed before posting such well educated comment.

5 12

Premalal Thursday, 10 October 2024 08:01 AM

Very true

1 5

Dilakshan Seneviratne Thursday, 10 October 2024 08:26 AM

A team with all good credentials, mostly people who have proven private industry experience. Balanced with representation from the airline as well as the tourism industry, the current government philosophy being to link tourism with SL Airlines.

5 11

Clown Thursday, 10 October 2024 12:48 PM

Please Anura, before manking any appointments get approval from this Hassanda guy.

3 5

seek and find Thursday, 10 October 2024 01:25 AM

Sarath is a member of the Hayleys PLC Executive Director Board and is also the Executive Director of HBSI . He is also responsible for the Strategic Business Development Unit and Group Information Technology of Hayleys PLC. He has rejoined Hayleys in 2007 and has been holding many senior positions in the group since then. He counts for over 30 years of corporate leadership experience. He is a fellow Member of CA Sri Lanka and Member of Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Australia. He holds a MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Sarath also serves on the Boards of Unisyst Engineering PLC, Alumex PLC, Dipped Products PLC, Haycarb PLC, Hayleys Fabric PLC, Hayleys Fibre PLC, Kelani Valley Plantations PLC, Regnis (Lanka) PLC, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC, Singer Industries (Ceylon) PLC, The Kingsbury PLC, Horana Plantations PLC.

5 36

Lalith Wickremasinghe Thursday, 10 October 2024 03:19 PM

Running an airline profitably is not everyone's cup of tea. Paper qualifications, top positions in many other fields of challenge are good but just not good enough to manage the highly complex airline business. There must indepth sound knowledge of how the industry works, its critical parameters on measuring performace, costs (CASM, RASM), route profitability, fleet management, route selection, and a whole host of variables that must be taken into account. Concrete input is necessary, more than just being figureheads sitting in board rooms listening in awe and lost in the complexity of this demanding business, withot bringing any real worth to the table. One would hope the newly appointed Board and its chairman possess the knowledge, will and acumen and will measure up to the demands, ailing SriLankan Airlines will be posing to them. Good Luck !

1 13

Nathan Thursday, 10 October 2024 01:38 AM

When you appoint these people, one should state their educational qualification and experience in their present job. Mere name means nothing.

1 14

Tissa Fernando Thursday, 10 October 2024 02:26 AM

I know Sarath Ganegoda , he is a Charted Accountant. The news should include their background as well, may be we can find out soon in the Sri Lankan website.

5 15

SP Thursday, 10 October 2024 04:09 AM

People elected this government for a ‘system change’ and ‘economic transformation’. We have an agreement with the IMF for SoEs (like airlines, electricity, railways, banks etc.) but unfortunately the ideology of the NPP, driven mainly by their unions, appears to be totally against that kind of system change. Since 1980s the World wide trend has been in the opposite direction e.g. in UK, India, Australia etc. where the ownership of SoEs have been transferred to private investors. That’s how those countries came out of the economic stagnation. Unfortunately it appears that we haven’t learn a lesson even from the grave economic crisis we had in 2022. It’s not the ‘curse of 76 years’ or the so called ‘corruption and waste’ or the ‘age’ of the leaders responsible. It’s this kind of backward ideology.

16 14

Izzy Thursday, 10 October 2024 04:35 AM

Whatever said and done, we should think of appointing (leaving party politics aside) our synthetic "lowyer" Namal Rajapakse as chairman with his versatile understanding of the flying angels!

27 8

FredSnr Thursday, 10 October 2024 05:24 AM

Maybe the public could be given some background on the appointments who they are etc it will be a difficult job turning a bankrupt airline around, can't just terminate people, not overnight anyway, yet they have the task of turning it around and making a profit long term or reducing losses, so what will be their long term and short term strategy. And there is an election next month

6 3

Yohan Thursday, 10 October 2024 06:18 AM

NPP does not want to sell it or get rid of it. Very poor decision an they will regret when people start giving the same treatment that was received by Gota. Hope AKD will realise it before that. Take advise from educated and practical people not educated but zero experience jokers like professor Keebiyahetti. Latter said the egg price went down as 10rupee mafia was stopped. Once the price went up, he deleted the statement and now where is that 10 rupee mafia. Such kind of joker.

5 13

Ramesh Thursday, 10 October 2024 06:29 AM

Will the government disclose their salaries to public? This way the poor public can get a clear picture how their tax monies are "working" in their behalf. This too should be a "system change"

0 8

NPP will revive Sri Lankan Airlines Thursday, 10 October 2024 06:45 AM

Whoever is appointed, if the expenditure exceeds revenue, then a firm will report a loss. If cash outflows exceed inflows, then a firm will experience liquidity problems. The solution would be to either increase revenue/inflows or reduce expenditure/outflows or both. Hence, restructuring is a must. Given the competitive nature of the airline market and the relative standing of Sri Lankan airlines in the aviation industry, it may be an onerous task to increase revenue/inflows. Hence, a cost reduction is a must. Miracles don't happen. Merely appointing people to state managed enterprises will not result in such firms transforming into cash cows. This will be another utter waste of taxpayers' money.

3 13

Dilakshan Seneviratne Thursday, 10 October 2024 10:28 AM

They have been appointed to restructure. Perform or ship out.

2 10

SEE LANKA Thursday, 10 October 2024 07:05 AM

This appears to be a blatantly political appointment, with the chairman's deep involvement in campaigning for the NPP and his well-established connections to the party. A newspaper highlighted these affiliations, suggesting that this is driven by political favour rather than competence. Such actions erode trust in governance and compromise accountability.

6 16

Dilakshan Seneviratne Thursday, 10 October 2024 10:29 AM

Absolute bullocks.

2 8

Jeanne Saturday, 12 October 2024 02:22 PM

I think you meant "bollocks"? LMAO

0 2

Hon. Sarneris Thursday, 10 October 2024 07:19 AM

Requirements in the correct order 1. Knowledge about the Industry or business 2. Experience 3. Clean record. Looks like we are only concerned about number 3, and it will get us no where.

3 10

MAY THE LORD GRANT THEM WISDOM TO RUN THE AIRLINE AND TAKE IT TO VGREATER HEIGHTS. Thursday, 10 October 2024 07:54 AM

NO IDEA WHO THEY ARE, BUT IF THEY ARE EDUCATED, HONEST, WITH INTERGRITY, A DRIVE TO TAKE THE AIRLINE TO GREATER HEIGHTS AND HAVE A TEAM OF ADVISORS/LEGAL MINDS IS OK. LET US SEE HOW THEY PERFORM BEFORE JUMPING THE GUN. STAFF NEED TO BE REDUCED AND FREE FLIGHTS AWARDED WITH CAUTION. ALL CITIZENS MAY NOT KNOW WHO THESE BOARD MEMBERS ARE, BUT SOME MAY KNOW, LET'S SEE HOW THEY PERFORM.

1 7

Jude Thursday, 10 October 2024 08:28 AM

Trying to revive Sri Lankan airlines is like milking a dead cow.

6 11

Dilakshan Seneviratne Thursday, 10 October 2024 10:33 AM

Maybe but NPP have done their homework for sure, so let’s not jump the gun.

7 14

Jude Thursday, 10 October 2024 08:47 AM

Air lines business very cutthroat business. Hard to survive unless you have forged active alliance with some marquee airlines. In USA top 5 airlines have been bankrupt at least once. In airline business all flights must be full or nearly full. The costs are very high then the the cost structure of airlines is specific and includes the components LABOUR COSTS, NEARLY HALF OF THE TOTAL COSTS INCURRED BY AIRLINES. FUEL COSTS ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT POTION OF EXPENSES. AIR CRAFT OWNERSHIP AND RENTAL COSTS. INCLUDING DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. TERMINAL FACILITIES AND GATES RENTAL COSTS.

2 6

Jude Thursday, 10 October 2024 08:49 AM

SL don't have experts to run a airline Sustainable Profitability, period.

6 8

HADIRA Thursday, 10 October 2024 08:51 AM

News item should have been elaborate to show more details of biodata on qualification and,experience of those appointed to avoid confusion among general public

0 8

IKKA Thursday, 10 October 2024 09:04 AM

It appears that the newly appointed board of Sri Lankan Airlines, while experienced in corporate management, finance, and governance, lacks deep expertise in the aviation industry itself. This could raise concerns about their ability to navigate the highly competitive and operationally complex airline sector. Without specialized aviation experience, the board might struggle to implement the strategic and operational changes necessary for a successful turnaround. If their focus remains primarily on financial restructuring without strong aviation insights, it could indeed lead to further challenges for the airline, potentially reinforcing the view that these appointments may be more politically driven than based on industry expertise. As a result, there is a valid concern that this could lead to continued or even exacerbated struggles for the already loss-making airline.

3 12

Dilakshan Seneviratne Thursday, 10 October 2024 10:38 AM

Most of what you say is correct from a profitability perspective only. From what I understand, NPP thinks the benefits it brings to tourism industry will offset that. Well that’s their strategic thinking, some may agree, some may not. Personally, I think there’s logic in their argument and the appointments are definitely not politically driven, that’s a wild assumption.

3 10

LotusAir Group Thursday, 10 October 2024 09:08 AM

Nice to see Aruna Rajapaksha (RML) in attendance of these meetings. He has his eye on the future of Ratmalana and Sri Lanka travel.

4 1

NPP for a better future Thursday, 10 October 2024 09:15 AM

Loser managers who earn a lot of wrong money from the company must make new efforts to grovel with the new board because that is how they have survived so far. The new board will have to get rid of these leeches who will do anything to keep their ill-gotten wages. There are a lot like that in HR, cabin crew, marketing and IT departments at Sri Lankan airlines.

2 7

Gamini Thursday, 10 October 2024 09:57 AM

Why not appoint that man with a PhD and experience in providing consultancy services for launching Rockets

2 5

Joseph Thursday, 10 October 2024 10:56 AM

U R not referring the same person I am thinking of , who send the first ever SL space craft to orbit few years ago

2 3

Joseph Thursday, 10 October 2024 10:16 AM

I know Sanath Ganaegoa personally . We studied together at SJC Colombo. He is a capable guy with hands on experience in finance management and a strategy The challenge is how he is going to turn around the Airline in the context of that it is earmarked for privatization under the IMF program. My guess is that even with all his experience and expertise the Airline will end up with the IMF program

3 5

Dilakshan Seneviratne Thursday, 10 October 2024 10:25 AM

You can say what you like, it wouldn’t be sold, so don’t waste time. Appraise yourself of the reasons.

2 8

Willamune N B Thursday, 10 October 2024 11:58 AM

What perks do these directors get,free flights for famil ,friends,buisness class seats.delaying flights till bosses coming late etc etc

2 4

Dilakshan Seneviratne Thursday, 10 October 2024 01:38 PM

Well they should be entitled to any such privileges given to other airline boards internationally, nothing more, nothing less.

3 4

Suhada malli Thursday, 10 October 2024 11:58 AM

So we are replacing one set of private sector distinguished members as below with another set as a remedy! Chairman Ashok Pathirage (Chairman Softlogic Holdings PLC) who was appointed earlier on, the new appointed members of the SriLankan Airlines Board of Directors are Brandix Group CEO Ashroff Omar, Dilmah Group Director Malik Fernando, top lawyers Manohara De Silva PC and Samantha Ratwatte PC and the Asia-Pacific node for Boston Consulting Group’s shipping, transportation, and logistics sectors Sanjaya Mohottala.

3 5

Dilakshan Seneviratne Thursday, 10 October 2024 01:45 PM

Correct, the reasons for that have not been made public and I would not speculate. This business is a very critical SOE and the previous government wanted to sell it off but didn’t get offers. The government has appointed a Board that is happy to run as per NPP philosophy. We have appointed a government and we shall see how they perform.

1 6

Let's watch and see Thursday, 10 October 2024 03:57 PM

Running an airline is entirely different to other goods and services. While some basic business principles are common in all industries, an expert knowledge of aircraft and airlines is mandatory to operate it profitably.

3 6

Dilakshan Seneviratne Friday, 11 October 2024 01:48 PM

Better go to a business school. Just look at some other International airlines and see the composition of their boards. This is primarily a business. Aviation and technical expertise is available to the board form within and from outside the business.

0 4

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