News Today: The presidential investigation into fraud and corruption at SriLankan Airlines targets decades of mismanagement and irregularities.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has taken decisive action by appointing a Special Presidential Investigation Committee to probe widespread allegations of fraud, corruption, and irregularities at SriLankan Airlines Limited and Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL).

During a meeting held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat, the President handed over appointment letters to the members of the committee and emphasized the urgency of the investigation. He noted that the absence of a thorough inquiry into operational irregularities has left these state-owned institutions vulnerable and inefficient.

The President called on the committee to conduct a swift and comprehensive investigation, examine all relevant evidence, and submit a detailed report along with recommendations for systemic reform and long-term prevention of such issues.

The Special Presidential Committee is headed by retired Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe, with K.N.M. Kumarasinghe, Additional Secretary to the President, appointed as Secretary and Convenor. Other committee members include:

• Gnanasiri Senanayake (Retired Additional Director General of Customs)

• Dushyantha Basnayake (Chairman, Sri Lanka Savings Bank)

• Chaminda Athukorala (Attorney-at-Law)

• N.A.H.K. Wijeratne (Additional Director General, Public Enterprises Department)

The investigation will cover alleged offences from 2010 to 2025, and for some areas, dating back as far as 2000. Areas under scrutiny include:

• Abuse of power by directors and senior management

• Irregular recruitment and awarding of service contracts

• Procurement-related corruption over Rs. 10 million

• Aircraft leasing/acquisition fraud

• Duty-free and overseas sales transactions

• Lapses in aviation security and administrative processes

• External interference affecting operations

The committee is also tasked with reviewing the J.C. Weliamuna Report and the Auditor General’s Special Investigation Report to identify those accountable and propose actionable remedies.

This bold move reflects the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and restoring public confidence in national institutions. The findings and recommendations of the committee are expected to serve as a pivotal step toward restructuring and reforming the aviation sector.