Lease paid for three SriLankan Aircraft which remain grounded due to engine failure

The SriLankan Airlines have to pay the lease for three Aircraft used by them, which have been grounded for some time due to an engine failure, Minister of Ports and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament today.

“However, the State-owned national Carrier continues to pay lease despite the fact the grounded aircraft do not generate any revenue,” he said.

“This was found when we looked at the fleet after the decision was made to increase flights to China in order to bring in Chinese tourists to the country,” the Minister said.

“National carrier’s total debt amount to $ 1.2 billion and cannot continue anymore. Therefore it has to be restructured as soon as possible,” he said.

“The Government has to decide what entities the State should run and what should be handed over to the private sector,” he said, generalizing the situation. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)