Unusuma Media

Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Ratnayake, announced that steps are being taken to continue operating SriLankan Airlines as a state-owned company.

He revealed that one of three aircraft grounded for three years, incurring a cost of $0.9 million per month, has now been repaired and is ready for operations. The Minister also noted that two more grounded aircraft are expected to be operational before April.

Speaking to the media after a discussion held at the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, Minister Ratnayake stated:
“SriLankan Airlines had been closed, sold, and mismanaged. To my knowledge, three planes were grounded for three years without engines. The previous Ranil-led governments spent $900,000 per month on these idle planes. That’s how they managed the airline.”

The Minister commended the efforts of the new leadership under Mr. Ganegoda for securing the funds needed to repair and relaunch one of the planes. Plans are in place to have two additional aircraft operational in the coming months, demonstrating a commitment to moving forward without selling the airline.

The Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Mr. D.J. Rajakaruna, has made the decision to sell his luxury BMW and allocate the proceeds to purchase two air-conditioned buses for employee transportation.

The current value of the BMW is estimated at Rs. 52 million. Considering the operational challenges, including inoperative sensors when the vehicle is no longer in use, the high cost of maintenance, and its significant fuel consumption, Mr. Rajakaruna has chosen to replace the car with two buses to benefit CPC employees.

This BMW 7 Series, with approximately 3,500 horsepower, was originally purchased in 2018 for Rs. 29.5 million. It consumes one liter of petrol for every 4 kilometers, making it highly fuel-inefficient.

The vehicle has undergone several costly repairs, amounting to Rs. 6,770,349. Additionally, monthly servicing expenses and annual insurance costs nearly one million rupees, placing a substantial financial burden on the corporation.

Selling this vehicle is expected to significantly reduce costs. Approximately Rs. 40 million will be required to purchase two fully air-conditioned Japanese buses. These buses will replace the aging Tata buses currently used, which have been in service for over 10 years.

The board of directors submitted a proposal for this initiative last Friday, and efforts are underway to expedite the procurement process.

Political sources report that party organizers strongly believe the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) should contest the upcoming elections under the hand sign.

Amid divisions within the SLFP, one faction supports contesting under the chair sign, while another advocates for the hand sign. Despite these differences, the majority of party organizers have expressed their preference for the hand sign.

This sentiment isn’t new; party organizers had suggested contesting under the hand sign years ago. However, differing opinions among the party leadership and appointed secretaries prevented its implementation at the time.

Organizers now stress that to regain political power and play a central role in the country’s political landscape, the SLFP must unify and contest under the hand sign.

National People’s Power MP Asitha Niroshan Mahaha has disclosed that the current value of the land housing the official residence of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Shiranthi Rajapaksa in Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 07, stands at an estimated Rs. 3,178 million.

Speaking during a political program last night (24), the MP provided details about the property, noting that the land spans one acre and 13.7 perches—an area larger than a football field. The official residence itself covers 30,534 square feet.

The MP further revealed that the current value of the residence is estimated at Rs. 229 million. After assessing the property and residence, he added that it could potentially be rented out for Rs. 4.6 million per month.

At a special media briefing held today (25) at the Government Information Department, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa clarified that Yoshitha Rajapaksa’s arrest was not influenced by his status as the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Minister emphasized that legal action would be taken if land or property was purchased illegally or under suspicious circumstances, dismissing claims of a political vendetta behind the arrest.

“The law will be implemented if the CID uncovers illegal or suspicious property purchases. Yoshitha was not arrested because he is Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son,” the Minister stated.

He further explained that ongoing investigations by the CID and police will present facts to the courts, and arrests will follow based on evidence. Addressing concerns about granting bail, the Minister added:

“They will be granted bail, but proceedings will continue. It is the courts’ responsibility to implement the law, while the government facilitates the process.”