Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Services Nimal Siripala de Silva said that SriLankan Airlines has not been sold and only restructuring work is being carried out.
The minister mentioned that even legally only 49% of SriLankan Airlines can be given to another company and no one has come forward for that yet.
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said this at a press conference held today (03) at the Presidential Media Center.
Commenting further here, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said,
President Ranil Wickremesinghe briefed Parliament yesterday on the progress of debt restructuring, which is necessary for the country’s economic progress. For political reasons, the opposition says it is not good news, but if we think about the country, it is very good news.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) engages in the restructuring process without looking at anyone’s face and only on the basis of laws, regulations and criteria. According to Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, in Argentina, Ecuador and Ghana, 25% of the loan has been waived for commercial loans and not for bilateral loans. We are still engaged in negotiations to restructure our trade debt. Due to his ignorance, he is referring to a matter that is still undecided. These criteria vary according to the instructions given by the International Monetary Fund to do this according to the economic strength of each country. It must be said that it is not appropriate to act for narrow political purposes without considering such internationally accepted circumstances.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken the first step to save this country from disaster. The second step is to protect it and move on. Otherwise the country cannot be prevented from reverting back to the situation it was in 02 years ago. This year’s budget has earmarked funds for provincial councils, regional councils, government departments and social security interests like welfare.
Their activities are not done in anticipation of elections. We are in the process of restructuring SriLankan Airlines, not selling it.
According to Sri Lankan law only 49% of SriLankan Airlines can be outsourced. It also has minimal interest internationally. Only 06 people have volunteered for it. We did not find anyone suitable among them. Although Sri Lanka offers entrepreneurs they also need to prove their mettle. Also, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is set to discuss the resumption of its projects next week.
This is another benefit of debt restructuring. Even if Chinese companies come forward for the airport project, according to the agreement reached with Japan, the contracts should be awarded to Japanese companies. Also, the management of Mattala Airport, which is facing a massive shake-up, will be handed over to a Russian-Indian joint venture in the next few weeks.
Kangesandurai port will be developed under the funding of 69 million dollars from India.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. who visited Sri Lanka recently. Jaishankar informed me that steps will be taken to start the shipping service between Sri Lanka and India very soon,” Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva added.
