First, the Sunday Times was debarred from visiting BIA; now right of reply
If they debarred the Sunday Times from visiting the Bandaranaike International Airport and flatly declined interviews, the Airport and Aviation Services (AASL) has now reacted to our report of May 12.
The report bared the bedlam and havoc at the airport where passengers were given shabby treatment, harassed and humiliated.
M. S. Hettiaratchchi, Head of Airport Management has sent in a lengthy letter where he says “the AASL together with relevant security agencies and other stakeholders made necessary arrangements to ensure safety and security of its users while facilitating them to level best for a smooth travel”.
The relevant excerpts:
“All passengers were advised to report to the airport at least four hours (04) prior to departure time to avoid any delays due to these additional security measures. Passengers/ Public were informed to refrain from accompanying visitors to the airport as only passengers were allowed to into the terminal building until further notice.
“AASL adopted these measures together with security agencies to provide safe environment to the passengers and other airport users. We understand the fact that these security measures could have resulted in (sic) some inconveniences to the airport. All staff of the security agencies who work extensively to provide safe environment to aiport users are performing their jobs rishing their own lives and we believe that the airport users will bear with us until operation returns (sic) normalcy.
“…..Also a free shuttle service was introduced between car parks and the arrival/ departure terminal operating at intervals of every 15 minutes. We have advised passengers to use shuttle service for a hassle free exit from the airport. Help desks manned by airport service assistants to facilitate passengers are available to facilitate…
“Further, we kindly request you to verify the accuracy of any news item, that you carry related to the airport operations or any security measures, from the Chairman or the Head of Airport Management of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited in the future. Our News Editor adds: Other than explaining the measures taken, Mr Hettiaratchchi is deafeningly silent on whether or not contingency plans were in place in the event of an emergency. Every other international Airport has such plans that go into operation to not only protect staff “performing their jobs” ( as he says) and more importantly the passengers. He said it took four long days by his own admission.
On April 21, the day of the Easter Sunday carnage, Mr Hettiaratchchi may not know that some Business Class passengers were to get into their cars and turn back. The road, perhaps understandably was barricaded and a no entry board placed. Fortunately for them, a lone Air Force sentry said to walk in with their baggage. The porters would not come out.
Even now, most passengers the Sunday Times spoke with said they were heavily inconvenienced. They had to disembark almost a kilometre away from the terminal and take their baggage along. It was the same with those returning. One passenger who did not wish to be identified said the staff and even sentries were both rude and impolite.
I thank Mr Hettiaratchchi for his gratuitous advice. The Sunday Times did make repeated requests before the story in question appeared to visit the inner areas. Permission was refused. It would have been better both for him and his Chairman to have briefed the media instead of waiting until the international airport won a bad reputation worldwide once more. It will not be a bad idea for them to leave their air conditioned rooms and speak to the passengers. They could very well improve conditions for the better.
Several attempts were made by the Sunday Times to contact Chairman Mr Dhammika Ranatunga and relevant officials before publication of the last week’s article.