Charitha Ratwatte Promoting Nepotism

- Oct 07, 2015

Sri Lankan Airlines has appointed Charitha Ratwatte’s Brother as the New CEO of the Airline.

Captain Suren Ratwatte who was living in Dubai has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lankan Airlines.Suren Ratwatte who is currently employed by Emirates Airline is due to commence operations in his new role from October 2015.

UNP sources say that the UNP lost the 2004 general elections because of people like Charitha Ratwatte, have re-emerged back in the scene and taken control . He is currently an Advisor to the Prime Minister.

According to some UNP insiders Charita Ratwattw was not seen or heard during the dark days of the UNP and had even gone on record saying the current Prime Minister had lost his currency, is now back in government from retirement and taken control of doling subjects out to ministers and the appointment of people, insiders say he has made sure his friends and cronies were put to key positions in the government.

We understand the President was not aware the new CEO of Sri Lankan was Charitha Ratwatte's Brother.

The issue is to be raised in Parliament during the budget. UPFA MPs are keen to find out the people who sat in the selection panel and to table a list of candidates who applied for the post. 
Charitha Ratwatte's school mate is the current Chairman of Sri Lankan Airlines.

A good governance activist who spoke to us say this government is no better and while PM Wickramasingha has kept his family out of the administration and kept to his pledge, his friends have gone to other extremes by extending their hand of friendship to their school buddies and cronies.

The list which is being collected will be published soon in the interest of good governance.

Capt. Suren Ratwatte, brother of Charitha Ratwatte, has been appointed CEO of SriLankan Airlines in an instance of nepotism.

Suren had lived in Dubai, and until he assumed duties at SriLankan in October 2015, he had been employed at Emirates Airlines.

The UNP lost power in 2004 due to the faults of persons like Charitha. But, he has now returned, and is today an adviser to prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Sources in the UNP say Charitha was not there during the dark periods of the party. He had said that Wickremesinghe was a liquidating character. That person is today having a say in controlling ministers and appointing officials. His motive is to get his friends and associates appointed to top positions in the government.

We believe that the president was unaware of the appointment of Charitha’s brother as the SriLankan CEO. This is a matter that should be raised at the budget debate. The UPFA has been able to get its nominees included into lists by wining over members of the committee tasked with appointing persons to key positions.

The chairman of SriLankan is a schoolmate of Charitha.

A ‘Yaha Paalana’ activist told us that he has no confidence in this government. Although PM Wickremesinghe has distanced his family members from state administration, he has appointed his cronies to positions. Those persons are getting their schoolmates and followers appointed to other positions.

To conclude, what should be stressed here is that the predecessor to SriLankan Airlines, Air Lanka had a failed first chairman in Capt. Rakhitha Wickremanayake. At the time, president J.R. Jayewardene sought Singaporean prime minister Lew Kuan Yew’s opinion about a person for that position, and was told never to appoint a captain to the position. He has said that in his biography too. But, JR did not listen to him and appointed Rakhitha, a friend of his son, to the position. But, fortunately for him, Singapore Airline’s financial controller Kulasekaram was appointed the general manager. Singaporean Kulasekaram, who had served Air Lanka from 1978 to 1982, made the airline earn profits from within the first four years. The credit went to chairman Rakhitha. But, after Kulasekaram completed his service contract and left Air Lanka in 1982, the airline collapsed, showing Rakhitha’s administrative weaknesses. Then, he was ordered by JR to resign.

Senior employees, who know the airline’s history, say that after 35 years, history is repeating itself.

Good governance Activist