One and a half years into the release of the Weliamuna report on the SriLankan Airline,, no action has still been taken on the allegations and no recoveries made, despite the Chairman and Ministers claiming that investigations are still being carried out, the Sunday Observer learns.
The Weliamuna report was submitted by eminent lawyer and Human Rights activist J.C. Weliamuna who was appointed by the Minister for Aviation, Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga in early 2015 to carry out investigations into the administration and conduct of SriLankan Airline which recorded a staggering loss of Rs.107 billion after its separation from Emirates, as revealed by Minister Eran Wickramaratne.
The investigations accordingly took place, which included acquiring evidence and witnesses taking statements by numerous employees of SriLankan Airline. The report which cost a whopping sum of Rs 3.5 million did make a number of alarming findings, including financial misappropriation and various other malpractices which if probed and proved would amount to criminal offences.
Investigations
Speaking to the Sunday Observer, Chairman of SriLankan Airline, Ajith Dias said, no financial misappropriation was established by the senior officials on whom investigations were conducted. “There were many internal investigations done on the report and action taken. What I said was of the senior managers who were interviewed we did not find any evidence of financial misappropriation. I did not say there was no financial misappropriation. I was misquoted.”
He also added that the current administration carried out much of the investigations that could be held internally and certain matters that were beyond their purview had been handed over to the relevant authorities including the Attorney General’s Department. “Instances where we are not in a position to investigate have been handed over to various authorities who are now investigating. And we have been assisting them with necessary information and details providing internal documents at their request,” Dias said. Soon after the report was handed over to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and details released, former Chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe, brother-in-law of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in several media reports had denied the allegations levelled at him.
Findings of the report inter alia found maladies in recruitment where some individuals were recruited bypassing the procedures and persons who were found unfit to be employed, were employed merely on the management’s request. Attempting to procure new Airbus planes amounting to US$ 2.3 billion while much more cost effective alternatives have been available and obtaining luxury vehicles for the Chairman other than the two Mercedes Benz and the Toyota Prado that were already assigned for him are among other allegations. A newly launched domestic air taxi service was later abandoned since the airline was unable to bear the losses which too were calculated in the millions.
Incongruities did not only remain at the top realms of administration but also trickled down to their friends and allies who also took undue advantage plunging the national carrier towards its downfall, the report has observed. A popularly known transgression was the release of a cabin crew member to be deployed at the Presidential Secretariat while still being on the payroll of SriLankan Airlines. “When this report was released in February last year there were eight directors who just walked into the administration and we didn’t have a clue as to the people who were there, so this report was a very useful thing for us to know where to start. People involved in the affairs of the SriLankan Airlines know what we have acted on. We have also reported to the COPE of Parliament,” said the Chairman.
Recommendations
Speaking to the Sunday Observer Weliamuna said that he is not aware of the status of investigations nor as to what steps would be taken to enforce the recommendations of the report, but, admitted that several investigations are being carried out.
“What was required from me was to submit the reports based on my findings. I have done just that. And I know that the CID as well as the FCID are carrying out investigations into certain matters,” Weliamuna said.
The SLA Chairman acknowledged such investigations. “As far as I am aware, I have handed over the report, and the CID, FCID and the Bribery Commission are carrying out investigations on some aspects of the report for criminal liability. Other than that I don’t know any more details,” he said. Chairman Dias further acknowledged that a high powered committee at the Prime Minister’s office entrusted with the progress of investigations has in fact called upon SriLankan Airlines to report to them on the internal investigations conducted so far.
“We reported to them and they came back saying they are satisfied with the progress of action taken with regard to the report,” Dias said.
The Government has called for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for SriLankan Airlines, and several foreign airline companies have responded positively.
SriLankan has also wet leased four A330 aircraft to Pakistan International Airlines which is using them on their Lahore-London route. The authorities have also cancelled several Airbus A350 orders placed by the previous Government. Meanwhile, SriLankan will soon be taking over the four aircraft and 12 destinations operated by Mihin Lanka, the budget carrier established by the former Government.
‘Justice delayed is justice denied’. The costs spent on investigations and reports will be in vain if the people who are responsible for these misdemeanors are not brought to book soon.