Appointments
View(s):Peter Hill to pilot SriLankan
SriLankan Airlines former CEO Peter Hill will get onboard the national carrier once again as Consultant to turnaround the once profitable venture as the airline merges with budget carrier Mihin Lanka.
Ports and Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said the government was keen on the two carriers merging with the aim of cutting down on the costs of the two companies.
He noted that they would initially analyse the weak areas and aim at cutting down on the expenditure incurred by the carriers.
Moreover, he pointed out that Mr. Hill would issue a report on how SriLankan Airlines would be able to turnaround itself to become a profitable venture at a time when the industry was finding it difficult to make money. In addition, the minister said they would not be looking at an Emirates – SriLankan Airlines style venture for the national carrier right now.
Once powerful Paski back as PM’s advisor
R. Paskaralingam, the influential former Finance Ministry Secretary widely known as late President Ranasinghe Premadasa’s right-hand man, is back, now as advisor to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe.
Official sources said he is attached to the Ministry of Economic Planning on contract with responsibility in areas that include urban development and highways.
Mr. Paskaralingam served as Mr. Wickremasinghe’s advisor on an earlier occasion too in 2002, during the 2-3 years when the United National Party ran the Government.
Archaeologist to head MBSL
Dr. Rahula Dandeniya has been appointed as the new chairman of the Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka replacing former banker and trade unionist M.R.Shah.
Dr. Dandeniya, an archaeologist by profession, told the Business Times that he will assume duties in the new post next week. He is the General Secretary of National Professionals Organisation and Managing Director of D2 Media (PVT) Ltd. Mr. Shah tendered his resignation on January 12.