President urges staffers of National airline:

Overcome challenges to make SriLankan strong and viable

Rohan MATHES

KATUNAYAKE: President Mahinda Rajapaksa urged SriLankan Airlines staff to overcome daunting challenges ahead and establish a strong and viable air travel service which would be of yeoman service to all Sri Lankans.

Presiding at a colourful ceremony to launch a fully national and indigenous air travel service with the symbolic transfer of full management and operational powers to the State-owned SriLankan Airlines, at the Katunayake Airport yesterday, President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the new look SriLankan Airlines staff that for a country which has overcome several daunting challenges success in this venture was inevitable and it would be no uphill task.

He pointed out that the world’s most ruthless terrorists who attacked our airports on several occasions and strove to isolate us from the international community had been defeated in the East and democracy restored.

The North is in the process of being liberated.

The country has gained formidable economic achievements such as the reduction of the unemployment rate and the enhancement of the per capita income to US$ 1,600. An economic growth rate of 6 per cent plus, has been maintained for a consecutive period of three years, for the first time following independence.

“For a country which has overcome such significant and burning issues and political challenges, winning the SriLankan Airlines battle and making it a vibrant and profitable business venture, should not be an arduous task, provided you all rally round the management and accept full responsibility of your duties.

If the company fails in today’s fiercely competitive airline business of the world and the region in particular, especially at a time there is a global economic recession, you ought to blame yourselves for it,” he reiterated.

The President was of the view that State ownership or local management alone would not suffice. In order to resurrect a loss-making and ailing airline industry and make it a national asset, a paradigm shift in the work attitudes of its staff, to tackle challenges with confidence and foresight was of paramount importance.

The local airline industry has been stagnant and lagged behind with the advent of technology. “We would first have to clear the stigma of shame that has been built into the business,” he added.

President Rajapaksa noted that Government employees should travel by Sri Lankan Airlines who ought to provide a better service.

“Your fate is in your hands now. Do not assume that the responsibility of trade unions is only limited to their benefits. The trade unions should also protect the enterprise.

You all should contribute collectively for the betterment of the enterprise, not only to enhance its profits, but also to enhance its pride and dignity,” he said.

He pointed out that the carrier should serve the purpose of carrying the produce from the villages and also showcase the kind hospitality and the rich culture to the entire world.

President Rajapaksa pointed out that the pioneers of the venture worked on the pretext of keeping pace with the new world economic order. However, as a nation well versed with international trade for thousands of years and having had advanced diplomatic connections with diverse nations, had the ability of viewing the world from a true perspective.

It is futile to criticise the past or to curse the administration.

Let us learn from our past experience and mistakes and work for the benefit and the prosperity of the nation, President Rajapaksa added.