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Mihin Air takes off without Cabinet clearance
Friday, 1 December 2006 - 7:33 AM SL Time
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Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera informed Parliament yesterday there was no Cabinet approval sought or granted for the much-hyped budget airline called `Mihin Air`.
However, the new airline company has already called for applications to recruit the staff and design the logo through newspaper advertisements.
The House debated the issue as an adjournment motion proposed by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake.
While presenting the motion, Mr. Karunanayake said this airline service was established on October 22, and its office functions at the west tower of the World Trade Centre.
He said the Board of Directors comprises Presidential Advisor Sachin Vaas Gunawardane, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr P.B. Jayasundara and Air Vice Marshal Roshan Gunatilake.
The UNP MP said the country`s aviation industry was in the doldrums today due to competitiveness and unprofitability.
`SriLankan Airlines was privatized by the People`s Alliance Government on March 30, 1998. With that, the ten-year exclusive period is going to end on March 30, 2008. The Government has not confirmed the way forward for SriLankan airlines. In the meantime, we are informed that a second budget airline in the name of Mihin Air has been incorporated,` he said.He queried whether this move had been made by using state funds with the proper Cabinet approval, or whether the Government`s money had been expended without such approval.
Seconding the motion, JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake charged the Government was attempting to conceal some serious matters pertaining to this air service, according to information available with him right now
`Apparently, this is a private air service. If the Government wants to run a proper air service, it can do so after the termination of the SriLankan Airlines` agreement on March 30, 2008,` he said.
Mr. Dissanayake asked Minister Samaraweera to table a copy of the feasibility report on this air service along with the BOI registration certificate.
`The BOI registration certificate has been issued to the name of a particular individual. If it is a state-run air service, there cannot be a letter addressed to an individual,` he said.
He also requested the Minister to reveal the criteria used for appointing members to the board of directors.
`In our country, ministers are used to participate in opening of toilets as well. However, we did not see any such politician taking part in a ceremony to mark the launch of an air service which is of utmost importance to the country. In this context, we have greater doubt that there is some information concealed behind the move,` he said.
In reply, Mr. Samaraweera said he a joint Cabinet paper would be submitted next week by the Ports and Aviation and the Finance Ministries.
He said once Cabinet approval was granted, applications would be processed in keeping with air navigation regulations and international standards and practices.
`In this matter, security and safety will never be compromised,` he said.
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