Govt. appoints new leadership to pilot SriLankan Airlines

Sarath Ganegoda

The government announced the appointment of Sarath Ganegoda as the new chairman of SriLankan Airlines, the country’s national carrier. 

Ganegoda, an executive director at Hayleys PLC, replaces Ashok Pathirage, who had led the airline since 2019.
Ganegoda is a Fellow Member of CA Sri Lanka and Member of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Australia. He holds an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. 
The government also named a new board of directors, including Buddhika Hewawasam, Sugath Rajapakse, Eranga Rohan Peiris, D. Arandara, Ananda Athukorale, Lakmal Ratnayake, and Niranjan Arulpragasam.

Plans to divest the financially struggling airline have been shelved, with officials highlighting its vital role in boosting tourism. While ownership will remain with the state, the government is exploring new management models to improve the airline’s performance.