It was not Dinesh but Nimal who caused delay of Ajahn Brahm Thera

• Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva had left the VIP lounge with the airport official.The official had then forgetten to assist the Thera
• The thera had been kept waiting for 12 hours 

Despite initial reports that Ven. Ajahn Brahm had been delayed at the BIA due to the presence of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardane at the airport, sources clarified that the delay was caused not due to the Prime Minister but due to Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.  Sources said the Prime Minister was at the VVIP lounge and was to fly to Thailand while Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and the Ven. Thera were at the VIP lounge and were waiting to fly on a Singapore Airlines flight to different destinations.   

Meanwhile, the Presidential Secretariat has sought a report from the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL) for delaying Singapore bound Ven. Ajahn Brahmawanso (Ajahn Brahm) at the Bandaranaike International Airport for more than 12 hours reportedly due to the negligence of airport officials, official sources said.   “We will handle the incident officially as a minister was also involved and will make a statement to the media in a few days,” an AASL official said.   

It was reported that the Thera had arrived at the BIA at around 10 pm on Tuesday (30) to take a Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore and then to Perth, Australia and was seated at the VIP lounge to board the flight.   Subsequently, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva had left the VIP lounge with the airport official who had been assisting the Venerable Thera.  

 After boarding the minister, the official had returned to the VIP lounge as he had forgotten to take the Thera with him. By the time he returned to assist the Thera it was several minutes late.   The Thera had been permitted to use the VIP lounge on the direction of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka Ltd. Chairman has reportedly apologized to the Thera for being kept waiting so long.   

Meanwhile, issuing a statement, SriLankan Airlines said ‘The Thera had booked a seat on a different airline, when the unfortunate delay had occurred at Bandaranaike International Airport in the early hours of 31 May 2023. SriLankan Airlines, however, promptly stepped up and went beyond to help Venerable Ajahn Brahm to find an alternative flight.”    

Punish those who are responsible for causing inconvenience to the monk –President’s Secretary

By Yohan Perera   

President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake had informed the Secretary Ports and Aviation Ministry to hold an inquiry and punish those who are responsible for delaying The Venerable Ajhan Brahm Thera for 12 hours. Ekanayake said he had taken this decision following the advice of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.The President had wanted action taken against those who are responsible for the incident. The President’s secretary said he expresses his regrets over the incident.