Mr.President, wake up and do something

The Daily FT of 4 October had exposed the sorry state of affairs in our National Carrier. 

I am ex-SriLankan. The tragedy began when Mahinda Rajapaksa took over the control from Emirates. Until then the airline was managed okay. There were issues but manageable. 

During the Rajapaksa era the airline was treated like a toy by the Rajapaksas, even the female staff were seen as sex symbols by the Rajapaksa clan. There was hope when the new Government was elected. 

As the article highlights correctly, the management now has gone from bad to worse. The plunders of the airline are seen flying in the very airline they destroyed. Why has the former CEO not been prosecuted? 

The Board had many big names that rubberstamped the Rajapaksa extravagance. Why are they not in remand for their actions, while other private sector people were arrested? 

What is the FCID doing with the investigations done by respected lawyer Weliamuna? The appointment of Charitha Ratwatte’s brother, an airline pilot, should have been avoided at all costs. People like Ratwatte have had their opportunities and failed by the public; they must know to fade away without clinging on to positions. 

Ratwatte in the same paper used to write a column highlighting the shortcomings of the UNP and the Rajapaksas. He should practice what he preached in those columns and ask his brother to go back where he came from, Emirates. Leave the airline to the staff and give the airline back to the private sector. That will bring back hope to the thousands of stakeholders in the airline. 

Priyantha