Former SriLankan bosses run into thunder storm

The findings of the probe into SriLankan Airlines, the country's national carrier, will be investigated by two agencies -- the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) and the Commission Investigating Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

A Government source said yesterday that the FCID would question former Chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe, the former Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena and other senior officials.

The CIABOC, the source said, would probe instances where political and financial favours had been extended.

A Board of Inquiry (BoI) headed by lawyer J.C. Weliamuna, found that while Nishantha Wickramasinghe, brotherin-law of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Kapila Chandrasena, allegedly abused their authority, they also disliked each other. "But for inexplicable reasons, they appeared to have protected each other."

The report said both had worked closely to support each other in relation to their own interests such as emoluments and facilities, not to mention the re-fleeting exercise. It also referred to exChairman Wickramasinghe's "penchant for

young air hostesses" costing the debt-ridden airline even more problems. The report said ex CEO Chandrasena though unsuitable for the job was paid a minimum monthly salary of Rs. 1.5 million on top of other perks from other appointments.

The report alleged that Mr. Wickramasinghe and Mr. Chandrasena had falsified documents to lease a luxury sports utility vehicle for the use of the exChairman. This was in addition to a luxury Mercedes Benz and Prado super luxury vehicle that he was given. On the other hand, a London station manager who tried to stop the illegal practice of sending motor spare parts for the use of the former President's son, Yoshitha had been suddenly transferred out on the direction of the former President.