WHAT DID THE US AMBASSADOR TELL WASHINGTON ABOUT SRI LANKAS STATE-RUN MIHIN-AIRLINE? The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database. The cable dated March 09, 2007 was written by the US Ambassador to Colombo,Robert O. Blake: The non-transparent way in which the President’s coterie has advanced the airline has elicited extensive controversy.” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington. Sajin de Vass Gunawardena who has been appointed ‘Accountable Manager in charge’ of the airline, has been linked to a number of past allegations of financial impropriety involving government procurement. “The airline is to be a fully government-owned company utilizing state funds. The initial capital contribution is estimated at around 500 million Sri Lankan Rupees (approximately USD 4.6 million), with an estimated total cost set at Rs. 1.5 billion (approx USD 13.8 million). The government initially intended to tap the state-run Foreign Employment Bureau and the Employees’ Trust Fund for start up capital in the venture. After a strong public backlash supported by negative media reporting against using public funds, the government may be seeking financial backing elsewhere, but has not publicly identified possible alternate sources.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 10:08:10 +0000
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