Kapila quits UL, Rakhitha to oversee till full-time CEO comes on board
Thursday, 12 March 2015 01:41
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Kapila Chandrasena has resigned as CEO of SriLankan Airlines this week and Board Director Rakhitha Jayawardena, an airline industry specialist, is overseeing the national carrier.
Sources said that Rakhitha will be CEO until a person is found to permanently fill the position.
Rakhitha is among new appointees to the Board of SriLankan Airlines following the change of Government.
He had worked at the national carrier when it was known as AirLanka and is now an entrepreneur in the airline industry specialising in retailing with over 30 years experience. Last year, at the annual Airline Retail Conference (ARC) in London, Rakhita, described as an inflight retail veteran (of King Power Traveller) was named Inflight Personality of the Year.
The resignation of Chandrasena comes amidst the establishment of a four-member Board of Inquiry, led by legal activist J.C. Weliamuna, tasked with probing any abuse of power by the Chairman and the Board as well as violations of rules and regulations, in national carrier SriLankan Airlines between 2006 and 2014.
Chandrasena took over as CEO of Sri Lankan Airlines in August 2011 and also oversaw Mihin Air. A qualified professional, Chandrasena holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Chicago and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Melbourne. He was also CEO of Mobitel once.
