The newly elected Sri Lankan president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has confirmed that SriLankan Airlines will remain state-owned, ending previous attempts to privatize the debt-laden carrier.
Dissanayake, from the National People’s Party, campaigned against privatization of state-owned enterprises, including the airline, which was previously pushed by the former government under pressure from the IMF.
The former president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, had initiated a failed attempt to sell a majority stake in SriLankan Airlines, leading to confusion about the airline’s future direction before the recent election.
Despite reporting a net profit of LKR1.124 bn (€3.5m) in the first nine months of 2023, SriLankan Airlines continues to face challenges due to high debt levels and economic difficulties in Sri Lanka, including a currency shortage.
