SriLankan, pilots reach deal on alcohol test

SriLankan Airlines and the Airline Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka have agreed that breathalyzer tests on pilots will no longer be carried out by security officers but by trained medical staff of the company.

The test will be conducted in the airline’s Flight Control Centre at the airport with the Ground Safety Manager as witness. If a pilot's blood alcohol level is then found to be above the legal alcohol limit, he or she would then be escorted to a designated private hospital by security personnel. There is also provision for the pilot to visit another approved hospital for a third breathalyzer test to verify the results of the previous examinations.

Consensus was reached on these internationally- accepted procedures between the management and the Pilots’ Guild, and confirmed at a meeting in the office of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday. The company was represented by its operational management division. A formal document outlining these steps is likely to be ready by next week. The airline did previously have a procedure in place but it has been further streamlined, Director General ( Civil Aviation) H. M. C. Nimalsiri confirmed.

A dispute arose recently after senior pilot Sujith Jayasekera was suspended by SriLankan Airlines for allegedly refusing to take a random breathalyzer test. These checks had been revived after a SriLankan pilot was found to be above the legal alcohol limit at the Frankfurt Airport on August 19.

The Guild maintains that Captain Jayasekera did not refuse the test, and that he had only questioned the ad-hoc manner in which it was being administered. Among other factors, he had argued that the reporting form had shortcomings on it.

Although demands regarding the breathalyzer procedure have been met, pilots are continuing their work-to-rule action launched this week in support of Captain Jayasekera. The Guild said that the SriLankan Airlines management had not held any discussions with the pilots in this regard.

“We are not working on our off-days and we are not extending our duty hours,” the Guild's President Renuke Senanayake said. “We are doing only our rostered flights and will continue till there is a solution.”

Due to a manpower shortage, flights were often operated by off-duty pilots. Issuing a media statement on Friday, SriLankan Airlines Corporate Communication head said there was a likelihood that flights might be disrupted but refused to budge on the suspension of Captain Jayasekera.

“Numerous pilots have expressed their willingness to support the company and the ‘work-to-rule’ appears to be an irresponsible action by a small group of individuals with vested interests,” the statement said. The company did not allude to the agreement reached with the Guild on breathalyzer testing.

It said that SriLankan Airlines had resumed random breathalyzer tests on flight and cabin crew according to standard procedure in the global air transport industry. This is fully approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL). The company uses certified equipment from Germany and trained personnel. The practice had earlier been suspended due to objections by the Guild.

The statement reiterated that Captain Jayasekera “is reported to have refused to take the breathalyzer test”. “As mandated by the CAASL, refusal to take a test is tantamount to a positive reading,” it said. “As per procedure, Capt Jayasekera was therefore taken off duties and suspended pending an investigation.”

The investigation, including detailed statements from the officers who were detailed to conduct the test, was completed on Friday and forwarded to the Human Resources Division. But the Guild started a work-to-rule campaign demanding that Capt Jayasekera be reinstated.

“Since this is contrary to both the regulations of the CAASL and company procedure, the company has declined to do so,” the statement said. “Capt Jayasekera will remain under suspension until such time the disciplinary process, which is being carried out by an independent Inquiring Officer, is complete.” This is expected to be by September 27, 2016.