DailyMirror
The born again State budget Airline Mihin Lanka posted a loss of Rs. 930 million for the year 2009, due to the ‘low passenger factor, according to the Central Bank.
The cash strapped budget airline ‘Mihin Lanka’ recommenced its operations in 2009 after a bankruptcy of Rs. 3.5 billion earlier.
It recommenced its operations after the bankruptcy only on January 1, 2009 with a flight to Dubai.
The government came under heavy flak from the Opposition in Parliament for the launch of this airline, which they cited as a sheer waste of public money.
Mihin Lanka was established in 2006 with Sajin Vas Gunawardene as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Mr. Gunawardane has now been elected to Parliament on the UPFA ticket from the Galle district. The company was indebted millions of rupees to various government institutions such as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. By the time of bankruptcy, the Mihin Lanka authorities had not even paid ‘over flying’ charges to some countries such as India.
After recommencement of operations in 2009, Mihin Lanka used to have flight operations to
certain destinations in India and Dubai. It also promoted pilgrimages to Bodh Gaya during the year. Pilgrims could undertake such tours relatively at a lower rate. Currently, the airline has only one airbus taken on dry lease from France.
When contacted, Present CEO of the Company Kapila Chandrasena said that he was in Dubai, and therefore he could not make any comment at the moment.