CAA removes 11 over-60 yr. cronies of its DG

Mar 05, 2017

The subject minister has ordered the removal, effective from March 31, of 11 employees of the Civil Aviation Authority, who have received extensions even after completing 60 years of age due to their close friendship with the CAA’s director general. The director board of the CAA has unanimously approved the order.

The over-60 employees who will not be given an extension are Lucien Ratnayake, N. Keil, Romani Lawrence Hewa, Daya Jayasekara, Ajith Jayasekara, Mahesh de Silva, Ranjith Perera, E. Abeyratne, G.A. Fernando, Athula Jayawickrama and M. Ariyasena. They have been getting service extensions and drawing six figure salaries even if some of them are over 70 years of age.

Also, an Aviation additional secretary has been relieved of his responsibilities after it was found he had attended director board meetings without permission, in order to receive the attendance allowance.

CAA employees have informed the subject minister about the administrative shortcomings and they say they are thankful for these decisions taken collectively by the minister, ministry secretary and their director board. Noting that the CAA had an authoritarian rule during the previous regime that did not listen to their voices, they appreciate the correct decisions being taken by ‘Yahapaalana’ government minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and other state officials.