UL offices move to Katunayake

SriLankan Airlines (UL) has begun moving its corporate offices to Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, as part of its strategy to reduce costs and turn the National Carrier into a fitter and more competitive airline.

The airline is vacating the four floors it has occupied in Colombo’s World Trade Centre for nearly a decade. However, frontline departments that needs to be in the capital city such as the Sri Lanka Sales department are being moved to the airline’s own building at Sir Baron Jayatilleke Mawatha in Fort. The SriLankan Cargo Sales office has already moved to Bambalapitiya.

SriLankan, CEO Manoj Gunawardena, said: “The airline recognised a long time ago that it would achieve significant cost savings by moving out of high rental offices and to its own premises.

Plans had been made several years ago to carry out this move, but had not been carried out.”

“Moving our corporate offices to BIA will result in our staff being under one roof for the first time, which will lead to greater operational efficiencies and enhanced synergies among the SriLankan Family of employees,” said Manoj.

The majority of the airline’s 4,900 staff are already in Katunayake, and are now being joined by over 300 employees who were in the World Trade Centre.

These include the Chairman’s Office, CEO’s Office, Company Secretary, and departments of the Commercial Division, Corporate Affairs Division, and IT Division.