Captain Jumps first from the sinking ship, Mihin Air CEO resigns

Saturday, April 19, 2008, 14:32 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Apr 19, Colombo: Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka`s now limping budget airline Mihin Air, Sajin Vaas Gunawardena has resigned. Sources close to the Airline said he had his farewell party with his staff yesterday.

The budget airways named after President Mahinda Rajapaksa was reportedly invested mainly by the pension funds of government employees and was managed by President`s close confederates. However, the venture turned a failure due to the extravagant and ineffective management though the reasons remain unclear, according to the sources.

Now the speculations are ripe that Mihin Air will be merged in to SriLankan Airline with all its losses, so the failure of the management will remain undisclosed.

Mr. Gunawardena`s brother Manoj Gunawardena is presently in the management of SriLanken Airlines which was also recently put under a politically appointed director board by the government after its breakup with Emirates.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Mihin Air CEO`s brother tipped to be the Head of SriLankan

Saturday, April 19, 2008, 14:51 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Apr 19, Colombo: As Sajin Vaas Gunawardena has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mihin Lanka his stepbrother Manoj Gunawardena, who is the current Head of Worldwide Passenger Services of the country`s national carrier SriLankan, is rumored to be appointed as the CEO of SriLankan.

However, no confirmation was received as yet from the SriLankan about the latest report. Few days ago, Sajin Vaas stepped down from the CEO post but remained as a member of the Board of the Mihin Air.

Reportedly Sajin Vaas is also tipped to be appointed to the Board of the SriLankan.