restructuring of allstate enterprises on hold till election is over

• SriLankan Airlines not for sale , new model to be decided in consultation with new management  
• AG yet to clear Mattala airport deal  
• Whole restructuring process to be looked at after elections

By Kelum Bandara   

The government has put on hold key policy decisions on restructuring state owned enterprises including Sri Lankan Airlines and the transfer of the Mattala international airport until the general election is over, a top source said.  

The previous government established the State Owned Enterprises Restructuring Unit and proceeded with steps to divest 130 state owned commercial enterprises such as Sri Lanka Insurance, SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation and Sri Lanka Telecom.  

The board of the Unit resigned soon after the new government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake came into power .  

Asked about the decision on this unit , a top official of the new government said that any decision regarding the Unit or restructuring any state owned entity would be taken after the general election is over .  

The election has been declared . It will be concluded on November 14,2024.  

The official said the national carrier would not be sold off , but the new model of development would be taken after consultation with the new management appointed by the government recently .  

The previous government also decided to transfer the Mattala International Airport to a joint India-Russia venture. However , the Attorney General is yet to give consent for the commercial agreement in this regard .  

The airport is US $ 209 million facility, built during former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s rule.  

Besides , the new government is yet to mull next steps on the construction of the Colombo - Ratnapura expressway and the stages three and four of the Central Expressway linking Kurunegala with Kandy and Dambulla .  

Also the work on the Kadawatha - Meerigama stretch of the Central Expressway because the EXIM Bank of China is yet to disburse funds after debt restructuring.