SriLankan Airlines signs deal with Pilot’s Guild

SriLankan Airlines and the Airline Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka have entered into a 3-year Collective Agreement, in keeping with the National Carrier’s practice of fostering partnerships with all its employee unions, the airline said.

“We are confident that this agreement will encourage increased productivity from the members of the Guild, as is our aim with all our staff. The agreement covers a wide range of issues pertaining to the salaries, benefits and careers of our pilots,” said Sunil Dissanayake, Head of Human Resources in a statement.

SriLankan Airlines continues to expand its global route network in a strategic manner, increasing frequencies to existing destinations. The famed Indian coastal resort of Goa will become the airline’s 50th destination, and the 10th in India, when flights commence this month.

The agreement is effective from 1st January 2006 up to 31st December 2008, and replaces a similar agreement that was earlier in effect.

It was signed on 22nd September at the airline’s corporate offices in Colombo’s World Trade Centre by Peter Hill (CEO of SriLankan), Captain Dick Hutton (Chief Technical Officer), Sunil Dissanayake (Head of Human Resources), and Capt. Milinda Ratnayake (Senior Manager Flight Operations). The signatories on behalf of the Guild were Capt. Kiran Kumaranayagam (President), Capt. Lalith Goonewardene (Vice President), Capt. Upendra Ranaweera (Secretary), and First Officer Chaminda De Zoysa (Treasurer). Initial negotiations were facilitated by the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon.